The Patriots are 2-2 and heading to Buffalo for a primetime recreation towards the category of the AFC.
Is Sunday night time’s matchup towards the Payments the most important of quarterback Drake Maye’s profession? We reply that and extra on this week’s mailbag.
@Quig052095: How determined might Philly be to unload an “sad” BROWN? Patriots are one of many few groups that might take the useless cap hit. How about 75% of cap hit, 2026 fifth, and Douglas.
Not that determined! I’d be shocked if the Eagles traded A.J. Brown in any respect. In the event that they do, I’d be stunned if it took something lower than one or a number of Day 1 or Day 2 picks to accumulate him.
Brown may not be completely happy together with his utilization with the Eagles, however they nonetheless want him. That offense lacks depth at huge receiver behind Brown and Devonta Smith. And quarterback Jalen Hurts barely targets anybody apart from Brown, Smith, operating again Saquon Barkley and tight finish Dallas Goedert.
The Patriots completely might use a reputable No. 1 huge receiver like Brown, however it might make me just a little bit nervous so as to add a participant who appears to care about his statistics as a lot or greater than successful. After all, the Eagles nonetheless gained a Tremendous Bowl with him final season, so having him within the locker room can’t harm an excessive amount of. However offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels likes to unfold the ball round, and quarterback Drake Maye doesn’t essentially want a large receiver including stress by demanding targets.
In the end, I’d nonetheless commerce for Brown if I have been the Patriots. However sending out cryptic tweets about goal shares after a win and a 4-0 begin isn’t precisely the most effective look.
@Llyod_Christmas: Is that this the most important recreation of Maye’s profession to this point?
I’d say so, sure. Primetime recreation towards the highest crew within the AFC, who additionally simply occurs to be a division rival. A win towards the Payments would actually open some eyes across the league and provides the Patriots a successful file.
The Payments are favored by 7.5 factors at dwelling on Sunday night time, nevertheless. So, that does really feel unlikely.
@nevetS_71: Given the way in which the crew regarded final week, are we formally out of “good losses” territory? Which means something wanting a win in Buffalo, regardless of how they give the impression of being, is a disappointment?
No, we’re not at that time but. There are nonetheless ethical victories for a crew who misplaced to the Raiders and Steelers, went 4-13 final season and nonetheless don’t have one of many extra gifted rosters within the NFL.
While you’re a 7.5-point underdog, a loss can’t be a disappointment.
@AlexDaAverage: When will this crew begin utilizing their boundary WRs extra? Boutte had an exceptional 1st recreation however ever since Josh appears to have schemed him out completely
This could be week for it. Each of the Payments’ exterior cornerbacks, Christian Benford and Tre’Davious White, have struggled this season.
I’ve religion that Benford can pull it collectively. He’s participant, however he’s allowed 14 catches on 21 targets for 148 yards with 4 touchdowns and no interceptions to this point this season.
White is one other story. At 30, he’s handled accidents and hasn’t been in his true prime for 5 years. He’s permitting a 110.8 passer ranking this season.
Nonetheless, the Payments rank fairly nicely in DVOA when quarterbacks are concentrating on the surface. They’re seventh in passing DVOA to the left aspect and twelfth in passing DVOA to the proper aspect. They’re 18th in the midst of the sphere, in order that could possibly be an space Maye can exploit. The Payments have been stingy to a crew’s high receiver and operating backs within the passing recreation. They’re much less efficient towards tight ends and a crew’s secondary passing choices.
@danny_monahan14: Hey Doug, you got here to my UMB Sports activities Media class final semester! My query is do you assume Mack Hollins and Steph Diggs have large days of their returns to Buffalo? And the way our corners will line up towards Buffalos receivers?
Hey, Dan! I feel Stefon Diggs shall be extremely motivated to carry out towards his former crew. The Payments rank ninth in DVOA whereas defending a crew’s high huge receiver, which Diggs must be thought of at this level. So, he has his work minimize out for him.
Mack Hollins hasn’t been closely concerned within the passing recreation, however he does have two receiving touchdowns. Regardless of among the tendencies, I nonetheless see Diggs having recreation. Diggs has 150 of his 213 yards this season on targets to the center of the sphere. That’s regardless of solely 67 yards approaching snaps out of the slot.
I’m nonetheless ready for Hollins to get extra concerned within the passing recreation. He’s been Lil’Jordan Humphrey with red-zone targets by 4 video games.
As for a way the Patriots’ cornerbacks will line up towards Payments receivers, they’ve fairly strictly performed sides to this point. Carlton Davis has performed 173 snaps at left cornerback and solely 20 snaps at proper cornerback. All of these got here towards the Steelers, when he was compelled to journey towards DK Metcalf just a little bit extra.
Christian Gonzalez performed all 41 of his huge cornerback snaps final week on the left aspect. He additionally performed eight snaps within the slot.
So, the Payments shall be figuring out the matchups greater than the Patriots. Keon Coleman and Joshua Palmer have primarily been the Payments’ exterior huge receivers. Khalil Shakir can play exterior, however over 70% of his snaps have come within the slot.
You’d desire Gonzalez towards Coleman, however they don’t have a dominant high huge receiver. Tight finish Dalton Kincaid might have an enormous recreation, nevertheless. The Patriots are permitting 64 yards per recreation towards tight ends, which ranks eighth highest within the league.
@Moonlightswami: If NE have been so as to add a task participant or higher (20+ snaps per recreation) in-season, what place is probably?
Possibly linebacker or cornerback? The Patriots must be getting linebacker Jahlani Tavai again quickly. He’s eligible to return off of injured reserve this week. But when he can’t fill the beginning linebacker function, then perhaps the Patriots add a participant into the combo there.
And Alex Austin had a powerful coaching camp, however he was a little bit of a legal responsibility early within the season till Gonzalez returned. I’m curious to see if Austin or Charles Woods winds up settling into the fourth cornerback spot. If the Patriots can’t discover some consistency there, then perhaps they might preserve trying so as to add on the place. They reportedly have been all for buying and selling for Jarvis Brownlee Jr. earlier than the Titans despatched him to the Jets.
The NFL commerce deadline is in just a little over a month on Nov. 4.
@TPJ_Sports: I feel 2-2 is the place they need to be at, they could possibly be 3-1 hadn’t they turned the ball over 5 instances vs Pittsburgh. I feel we should always preserve Diggs within the slot however I must see extra Kyle Williams, a number of groups have been in on him. Are you aware why we haven’t seen a lot of him?
There are just a few components with Kyle Williams. First, he’s been behind Kayshon Boutte, Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins and DeMario Douglas on the depth chart. So, naturally, he’s going to see fewer snaps.
It’s additionally a brand new offense for Maye, and it is smart to encompass him with as many reliable gamers as attainable. Williams didn’t have the strongest coaching camp, he’s a rookie, and he’s studying an advanced system. Williams will get his alternatives, however I’d be stunned if he handed Boutte, Diggs or Hollins on the depth chart that quickly.
