The Patriots are 3-2 and using excessive off a surprising upset win over the AFC favourite Payments.
However they misplaced operating again Antonio Gibson to a torn ACL and need to keep away from a hangover loss with 4 winnable video games subsequent on their schedule in opposition to the Saints, Titans, Browns and Falcons.
Followers are feeling optimistic after the win and questioning what items the Patriots might add on the commerce deadline. Let’s establish some potential names on this week’s mailbag.
@TheChowdaCrowd: Do the Patriots go after an in-house RB, or do they take a shot at somebody exterior the group
The Patriots did add a operating again from exterior the group on Tuesday, once they signed Jashaun Corbin, however I feel I agree with many of the fanbase that the group ought to proceed to pursue a extra skilled participant, as effectively.
I acquired loads of questions on three operating backs specifically: Derrick Henry, Alvin Kamara and Ezekiel Elliott.
It is determined by how the Ravens look by the NFL commerce deadline, which falls after Week 9, however I’d be a little bit bit shocked if they offer up on the season. The Ravens did simply commerce Odafe Oweh to the Chargers, however they have been capable of get Alohi Gilman again.
Clearly, there’s a connection there with Henry and Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, who coached him in Tennessee. However there’s additionally a query of whether or not Henry can be an improve. It’s too early to jot down him off, however he’s averaging simply 3.2 yards per carry since Week 1, when he had 169 yards on simply 18 carries.
Kamara has spent his whole profession with the Saints, in order that might be an advanced scenario and would rely upon whether or not he can be keen to be moved in a commerce. The Saints aren’t going to commerce a franchise participant with out his blessing.
And Elliott was a good Patriot in 2023, however he hasn’t averaged 4 yards per carry since 2021.
The Patriots want one other skilled operating again behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson. They presently solely have Corbin and Terrell Jennings, however I’d most likely search for a youthful participant. Jerome Ford (Browns), Dameon Pierce (Texans), Zamir White Raiders), A.J. Dillon (Eagles) and Devin Singletary (Giants) can be on my checklist of potential commerce choices if I have been the Patriots.
@Patsfan19838268: Projecting the group ahead and desirous to win now, it appears that evidently we actually want an impactful edge rusher reverse landry. Will we simply have to be affected person into the draft and look ahead to subsequent yr or is there a means they may handle this earlier than the commerce deadline?
Oweh would have been a great addition from the Ravens. I acquired another questions on Bengals edge defender Trey Hendrickson.
If the Bengals’ season continues to disintegrate, then inquiring about Hendrickson would make sense. He’s having one other robust season with the Bengals and can be a serious improve over Ok’Lavon Chaisson, Keion White and Anfernee Jennings.
@jonothorpejazz: It appears Henderson was a bit higher in cross safety this week, is it an indication they is likely to be extra trusting of him, and can result in extra touches? He’s nonetheless their most explosive participant on offense
I’m undecided if I’d agree that Henderson was higher in cross safety. He had two pass-blocking snaps and allowed a stress.
General this season, Henderson has allowed 5 pressures in simply eight pass-blocking snaps. He has the sixth-worst PFF pass-blocking grade of any NFL participant with not less than 5 pass-blocking snaps this season.
Henderson has the potential to be the Patriots’ most explosive participant on offense, however he hasn’t totally proven it for the reason that preseason. The Patriots clearly have to discover a option to get Henderson going, nonetheless, particularly now that Antonio Gibson is out for the season with a torn ACL.
Run blocking total has not helped. However Henderson can also’t be used as a full-time third-down again till he’s higher in blitz pickup. He was considered an awesome cross protector in faculty, so there may be hope that he can enhance in that space.
@angry_blue_dot: What’s your intestine feeling on what they’ll do? Looks like 12 wins is on the desk, and the AFC is vast open. Assume they’ll make a Commanders model run?
Optimism is excessive after the Patriots’ Week 5 win over the Payments.
On the floor, 12 wins appears prefer it’s on the desk, however the Patriots additionally already misplaced to the Raiders. So, any sport is loseable. I’m not making an attempt to be pessimistic, however let’s preserve expectations in examine.
Video games in opposition to the Saints, Titans, Browns, Falcons, Jets (x2), Bengals, Giants and Dolphins look very winnable proper now. However the Patriots need to show that final week was for actual. They usually can’t flip in any extra five-turnover video games like that they had in opposition to the Steelers.
@ZakAsatrian: In my thoughts we have already got as many wins as we did final yr for the reason that Milton/Buffalo sport was a tainted victory
That’s a particularly reasonable take.
@kingvocho: In the event that they play just like the final 2 video games for the remainder of the season would you be shocked in the event that they received the division?
Sure, I’d. The division continues to be the Payments’ to lose, even after the Patriots beat them in Week 5. The Payments entered that sport considered the highest group within the NFL for a purpose.
@johnpaul2096941: Is the Patriot protection for actual? They’ve been spectacular not too long ago …
It’s positively trying higher. The Payments completely shot themselves within the foot a number of instances too many, however limiting Josh Allen the best way the Patriots’ protection did on Sunday evening is a critical accomplishment.
Getting Christian Gonzalez again was enormous for the Patriots’ protection. It’s not a shock the group is 2-0 since he returned to the protection.
It does nonetheless really feel just like the Patriots’ protection is one or two items away, nonetheless. We already talked about edge defender as a necessity. Let’s see if Jahlani Tavai can settle the linebacker group, however the spot subsequent to Robert Spillane has been a weak point this season. The security duo of Jaylinn Hawkins and Craig Woodson nonetheless feels unproven, as effectively.
However the Patriots are in good palms with Spillane, Gonzalez, exterior linebacker Harold Landry, defensive tackles Christian Barmore, Milton Williams and Khyiris Tonga, and cornerbacks Carlton Davis III and Marcus Jones. Chaisson has been a strong addition, as effectively, however he nonetheless is likely to be finest utilized as a rotational piece.
