It’s going to be a late night time, Patriots followers.
The Patriots are enjoying the Payments in primetime on “Sunday Evening Soccer.” With their schedule full of 1 p.m. ET video games on Sunday afternoons, this is without doubt one of the few occasions they’ll play in entrance of a nationwide viewers. Make sure you examine bostonherald.com for full sport protection.
The Patriots activated linebacker Jahlani Tavai from injured reserve and downgraded exterior linebacker Okay’Lavon Chaisson off injured reserve for the divisional matchup.
Right here’s what we’re watching forward of the Week 5 matchup in opposition to the Payments.
- The Patriots proved they’ll win shut in opposition to the Dolphins. They proved they’re a category above an injury-ravaged Panthers staff. Now, how will they hold in opposition to the AFC’s finest staff? They’re 7.5-point underdogs, so it’s unfair to count on them to win on Sunday night time in what must be a rowdy environment at Highmark Stadium. However how this sport pans out will inform us loads about the place the Patriots stand of their last 12 video games of the 2025 season. In the event that they hold it shut (and even win), then it’s not out of the realm of chance that the Patriots may make the postseason this season.
- Drake Maye at the moment ranks as a top-10 quarterback in most conventional and superior quarterback statistics. However high quality of opponent should be thought-about, and the Patriots have performed one of many best schedules within the NFL. The Payments are far and away their most troublesome opponent, and it will be fascinating to see if Maye can proceed to play so effectively. There are sufficient holes within the Payments’ protection that Maye can nonetheless discover success. They’ve struggled to cowl the center of the sphere, and tight ends have produced in opposition to the Payments. On paper, that would imply large days for large receiver Stefon Diggs and tight finish Hunter Henry.
- The Patriots confirmed final week that they nonetheless belief Rhamondre Stevenson, and the veteran operating again rewarded them with a stable, if unspectacular, efficiency. Most significantly, nevertheless, he didn’t fumble. The Payments have NOT been nice in opposition to the run this season. They rank thirtieth in dashing DVOA, twenty eighth in dashing EPA/play allowed and twenty first in rush success charge. Getting out to a powerful begin and early lead can be big for the Patriots. Then they’ll lean on Stevenson, Antonio Gibson and rookie TreVeyon Henderson – so long as they’ll maintain onto the soccer.
- Diggs and Mack Hollins are each ex-Payments returning to Buffalo. Each gamers must be extremely motivated in opposition to their former staff. Issues didn’t finish effectively for Diggs in Buffalo, with the Payments buying and selling him. Hollins was beloved in Buffalo, however he’s intense each week. Diggs is coming off his season-best efficiency in Week 4, when he caught six passes for 101 yards. The Patriots’ offense has the potential to be harmful if Diggs can hold that up as a professional No. 1 receiver for Diggs. Payments cornerback Christian Benford is an efficient participant. Tre’Davious White is again beginning in Buffalo, however he seems previous his prime.
- Large receiver DeMario Douglas noticed his snaps diminished final week in opposition to the Panthers. Head coach Mike Vrabel went out of his technique to reward Douglas for his blocking on a landing scored by Henry, when Douglas took up two defenders on Henry’s approach into the tip zone. Might that earn him extra reps this week? It wouldn’t be stunning.
- The Patriots’ offensive line has been shockingly good this season at defending Maye. In PFF’s most up-to-date cross blocking effectivity metrics, the Patriots’ offensive line ranks fourth with two sacks, seven QB hits and 26 hurries. All different sacks had been allowed by operating backs, tight ends or the fault of Maye. The Payments’ protection, led by edge defenders Joey Bosa and Greg Rousseau, ranks center of the highway at fifteenth in pass-rush win charge, per ESPN’s charting. Bosa, Rousseau, A.J. Epenesa and defensive sort out DaQuan Jones received’t make issues simple on Will Campbell and the remainder of the Patriots’ O-line. However the line has taken a large step ahead from final season.
- Jared Wilson will regain his beginning job at left guard now that he’s wholesome. Ben Brown stuffed in admirably final week. Will probably be attention-grabbing to see if Wilson can match his effectivity agains the Payments.
- The Patriots have been rotating linebackers Christian Elliss, Jack Gibbens and Marte Mapu subsequent to Robert Spillane. Vrabel didn’t appear to thoughts the rotation when requested about it Wednesday. Tavai may enter that blend. He has far more expertise on protection than Gibbens, Mapu and Elliss. Tavai additionally may assist fill the void left by Chaisson. Keion White and Anfernee Jennings are subsequent in line to play on the sting, however Tavai additionally has expertise as an out of doors linebacker. Tavai’s dimension will likely be helpful in stopping Payments operating again James Prepare dinner.
- Jaylinn Hawkins recovered from a hamstring harm and seems in line to start out subsequent to Craig Woodson. If Woodson wasn’t capable of make it again by Week 5, it will have meant Kyle Dugger beginning in his place. It’s finest to maintain continuity on protection.
- It could be shocking if the Patriots traveled their cornerbacks this week in opposition to Payments large receivers Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir and Joshua Palmer. Coleman is probably the most harmful and worthy of shadowing from Gonzalez. The Patriots have primarily simply performed their cornerbacks on particular sides this season, nevertheless. So count on to see Gonzalez on the fitting and Carlton Davis III on the left.
