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PatsProp Preview – Bengals In New England

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Chris Unger/Getty Images

It doesn’t feel very Christmassy at the minute, especially after the shambles of last week in Las Vegas. But, hopefully, the team can rally to finish 2022 strong. Tomorrow, the 7-7 Patriots welcome the 10-4 Bengals. Here’s your snapshot preview for Week 16!

Injuries

Patriots To Watch

Marcus Jones

Marcus Jones has moved to the top of the watch list for me now each week, he always seems to make an impact on games over this recent stretch, regardless of what side of the ball he’s playing on. A bright spark in what’s been a dark period for the team.

Rhamondre Stevenson

While Damien Harris is questionable and expected to be available for the team tomorrow, I expect Stevenson will still be the lead backfield weapon once more for the Patriots. Stevenson’s career-high game last week ended in disaster with that bonkers play, he’ll want to forget everything about that and hopefully put in another huge game on the ground. One to watch, as always.

Josh Uche + Matt Judon

This tandem pass-rushing attack is so important for the Patriots, especially with how Uche has come along in the last couple of months. They were both not quite as effective last week against the Raiders, but for me, they hold the keys to any chance of a win tomorrow, they have to get after Burrow.

Wild Bengals

Ja’Marr Chase

Now Chase is back and healthy, he resumes his role as WR1 and one of the league’s best pass-catchers. The Pats did a great job of shutting down DeVante Adams last week, but I do fear that they won’t be able to subdue Chase tomorrow, he’s the main threat.

Joe Mixon + Samaje Perine

Unlike last week where the Pats needed to only stop one threat out of the backfield, tomorrow they’ll have to deal with a tandem pairing that has found the endzone 14 times this season. Mixon for sure hasn’t had the same sort of production we saw this time last year, but, the offense has shown that they can get either player into the endzone either carrying or catching the ball.

Trey Hendrickson

Even with a broken wrist, Hendrickson is expected to play which is a huge boost for the Bengals. Obviously, it’s not an ideal situation and he’ll likely have a giant club on the affected limb, but, with the issues the team has had on the offensive line, Hendrickson still poses a big threat to Mac Jones.

PatsProp Preview – The J-E-T-S II

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Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images

After resting up from the rigors of modern NFL football, the Patriots return from their bye tomorrow sat at 5-4 on the year, and welcome the 6-3 Jets to Foxborough! Here’s your quickfire preview for Week 11!

Injuries

The Patriots look to have a new Punter for tomorrow’s game with Jake Bailey doubtful to play. An update on Christian Barmore is that after this report was released, he was placed on IR and will miss the next 4 games with the knee issue that has been plaguing him.

Patriots To Watch

Mac Jones

Expect Mac to be on the watch list every week until the end of the season. I’m hoping that with a week to reset, he’ll come back to Gillette Stadium with a refreshed feel and be able to play his best game of the season, leading to a fourteenth-straight win over the Jets.

David Andrews

The return of David Andrews is massive for the Pats offensive line, they’ve had clear issues since he suffered a concussion in Week 7’s loss to Chicago. Having their captain and stalwart center back is big for Cole Strange also, he’s been in the wilderness without Andrews, clearly showing how important he’s been to the rookies development. So glad to have him back.

Nick Folk

I can see this game calling on Folk to kick a bunch of field goals tomorrow and he’s been up to the task for so long now as a Patriot. Unless the team finds some rare form in the red area, look for big kick Nick again to help with points.

Matthew Judon

The league-leader for sacks with 11.5, Judon should be a difference maker again tomorrow, last time against Zach Wilson he recorded 0.0 sacks for only the second game this season, I think that’ll change tomorrow and he’ll cause the Jets QB to have nightmares.

Flying Jets

Zach Wilson

Last time out against the Jets, Wilson practically handed the win to the Patriots by throwing three interceptions and completely capitulating in front of his home fans. A one to watch for sure, he’ll either be the reason they don’t lose, or the reason they do.

Sauce Gardner

Sauce is turning out to be a brilliant player for New York and he’s for sure in the running to be league DROTY. The Jets’ defense is certainly one of their strengths, and Gardner will be their main threat for takeaways against Mac Jones.

Tyler Conklin

The TE had a really productive game against the Pats a few weeks back, scoring two touchdowns and showing some good productivity against a Patriots defense that is usually pretty good defending tight ends. I think Bill will have made it clear that Conklin can’t have the same game against them tomorrow.

Garrett Wilson

Wilson heads into Week 11 as the Jets’ leading receiver on the year with 41 receptions for 521 yards. Whilst his QB might end of throwing the game away, he does still tend to throw it around and make plays, and a Wilson to Wilson hookup could be on the cards a few times tomorrow. He’s one to watch.

PatsProp Preview – Throwback Game In Foxborough

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AP Photo/Steven Senne

It’s the first of the Throwback games tomorrow as the Pats will don their classic red jerseys and white helmets against the Detroit Lions, who like the Patriots, sit 1-3 on the season, desperate to find their second victory.

Injuries

Patriots To Watch

Bailey Zappe

The rookie is set to start tomorrow for the Patriots as Mac Jones continues to recover from the high ankle sprain he suffered against Baltimore.

Zappe did well in his first game last week when he replaced Hoyer, but, now it looks like he’ll have a complete game for himself to lead the offense. The team will need him to protect the ball, and take some shots downfield to try and get some points on the board against this potent Lions offense.

Tyquan Thornton

Some good news today came as Thornton was activated from IR to the main 53-man roster, to much joy from fans who have been itching to see their new speedster in competitive action for the first time.

Thornton’s 21-day clock to return began on Wednesday, but, he’s been activated already which is hopefully a nod to how well he’s been doing since suffering a fractured clavicle in the preseason.

Even if he isn’t fully fit in the sense of being out and starting as one of the leading receivers, he should offer pace as a deep-threat option to keep the Lions’ secondary honest. One to watch for sure.

Damien Harris & Rhamondre Stevenson

With a backup QB expected to start tomorrow, production from the backs will be key to victory. Both ran well last week in Green Bay under similar circumstances and I think they can do the same tomorrow, especially against a Lions defense that allows 165.5 yards per game on the ground so far this season.

Hunter Henry

With Jonnu Smith unlikely to play through the injury, the onus on Hunter Henry is even greater. The big Tight End has had fewer receptions (5) this season than he did touchdowns for the entire of last season (9) through 4 weeks.

A very disappointing stretch for Henry, who I’m sure will riggle into some form, especially in the RedZone where he was so key for Mac Jones last year. Will tomorrow be the day we see some more production from Henry? We’ll see.

Matthew Judon

The entire defensive front will need to bring a little extra juice tomorrow in the absence of Lawrence Guy, who’s been ruled out with a shoulder injury.

I think Judon will make life uncomfortable for Jared Goff, especially if he can get to him early and often, causing mistakes.

Jake Bailey

Bailey has been disappointing thus far and after securing himself a new contract, he has to be a lot better than what he’s been offering. Against a Lions offense that has been putting up points for fun, giving the defense favorable field position will be a huge boost, let’s see if he can bring that tomorrow.

Lions Den

Jamaal Williams

With no Deandre Swift, Jamaal Williams will lead the Lions’ ground attack once more, having already amassed 276 yards and 6 TDs rushing this season.

Williams is particularly one to watch as worryingly, the Patriots have resembled swiss cheese when it comes to stopping the run so far in 2022.

TJ Hockenson

Hockenson heads into town on the back of a career game last Sunday where he caught 8 catches for 179 yards and 2 TDs. This is a big worry for me as the Pats have struggled already this season against Tight Ends and Hockenson could really bring the hurt tomorrow.

I imagine Kyle Dugger will get the nod to provide coverage on the big playmaker, but we shall see.

Aiden Hutchinson

The blue-chip rookie has shown some sparks of why he was so highly touted out of Michigan in this year’s draft. Be on the lookout for #97 on the edge, he’s a real game-changer, Marcus Cannon will need to be on top form against him, or will it be Isaiah Wynn?

PatsProp Preview – We’re on to New York

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Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

A very frustrating loss to Miami has stuck with me all week, but I’m feeling good about the team’s bounce-back chances in New Jersey this weekend against the New York Jets.

One’s To Watch

Here are the Patriots I’ll be keeping my eye on this weekend and why.

Mac Jones

Look out for Jones to build on his good start again this Sunday. The Jets has a very young/unknown secondary which could have a long day if Mac can find some rhythm in the pocket.

Jones will need to have better protection this Sunday, but I also don’t expect the Jets to blitz as much as the Dolphins did, so hopefully, that will come hand in hand. I watched a breakdown of Mac’s film this week from J.T. O’Sullivan, he made some really good points about Mac leaving a lot of yards on the field against Miami. Basically, there were more lucrative options on some plays that could have led to massive gains or even a score, but, with that being siad, he did just fine.

Mac attack is back on Sunday.

Trent Brown

The running attack stuttered after a bright start last Sunday against Miami, and it’s no coincidence it did so following Trent Brown leaving the game with a calf injury. Brown is officially questionable for Sunday’s trip to New Jersey with that same injury, but if he’s able to get out there, it would be a massive boost to the run game, which in turn would help Mac when passing.

If Brown is inactive, look for Yodny Cajuste or Yasir Durant to step in at RT.

Damien Harris

Let’s keep things positive, the game-ending fumble is all in the rearview mirror now, and I’m expecting a big resurgence from Damien Harris this weekend. The Patriots showed flashes of what they could do on the ground, but after Trent Brown left the game, any consistent production was thwarted.

I think we’ll see J.J. Taylor get the nod over Rhamondre Stevenson, who may still be in the doghouse for his own fumble last week.

In their opening game, the Jets gave up over a hundred yards to the Panthers, with that in mind I think Harris could have a huge game this weekend, keep an eye on him.

James White

Jimmy White had a solid game last week, and I think he’s worth keeping an eye on specifically this week. Mac showed his tendency to check down a bunch through preseason and Week 1, and White is a perfect candidate for that safety blanket type partnership with Jones.

Not to mention, I’d love to see more of this on Sunday…

Josh Uche

A big chance for Uche this week in the pass-rush attack, especially with the news that Kyle Van Noy will be out on Sunday. Uche had some good plays last week, most notably, his first sack of the season after crushing that Dolphins offensive tackle, I think both he and Matt Judon will be important in bringing pressure to Zach Wilson this weekend.

J.C. Jackson

J.C. has been talking a bunch of smack in the last week which has really put the pressure on for him to back it up. The secondary wasn’t great against Miami, they didn’t give up ridiculous numbers, but, at the same time, they didn’t prevent Miami from moving the chains when they had to. We need a solid game by Jackson, as the Pats starting corner, it would make me feel a lot better.

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Patriots rookie Dustin Woodard retiring from the NFL – Team also release DE Nick Coe

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News coming in just now that rookie Center Dustin Woodard has informed the team that he is retiring from professional football, before ever playing in a competitive game.

As training camp roars on towards the regular season, be sure to keep up with the latest Patriots betting odds, here’s an interesting website to check sports results.

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A Brief History of Patriots-Influenced NFL Rule Changes

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQcONqYsQ_w

The Patriots’ dominance of the past 17 years has transformed the NFL landscape in a number of ways. First, their constant iron fist rule over the Dolphins, Jets and Bills has sent all three teams into endless cycles of GM/Coach/QB combos. Every now and then they’ll get lucky in their home stadium and get an early season-defining win over Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, but outside of the 2010 Jets, no AFC East team has beaten the Patriots in a meaningful game in a long, long time.

That goes for most of the rest of the NFL, with notable challengers the 2000s Colts, 2009-2012 Ravens, and the 2005/Peyton Manning Broncos. For almost two decades the division and conference teams outside New England were built to take down the Patriots and yet none could find the “blueprint” to beat the Pats outside of play a near-perfect 60-minute game. It’s amazing how hard that is for the great majority of NFL teams most of the time.

That competitive push against extended into the offseason, especially after the Pats’ dynastic run got kicked off with a game-saving, stupid-rule-called-correct, it’s no surprise that with increasing frequency rules that benefit, or are exploited by, the Patriots get put under the microscope each time the geniuses running the NFL competition committee decide what will improve the game.

Let’s take a look back at some NFL rule changes made because of the Patriots.

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Report: Patriots Acquire DT Danny Shelton

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After spending the better part of two days wondering how a large contingent of Patriots Nation thought cornerback was the biggest need for this defense, the Patriots made the kind of splash I wanted them to in the front seven, acquiring monstrous defensive tackle Danny Shelton and a 2018 pick from the Cleveland Browns for a 2019 mid-round pick..

Shelton is entering the last year of his rookie deal at an affordable $2 million, with an option for 2019 that @Patscap estimates would be in the $6-7 million range. Shelton was the 12th overall pick in 2015 and is really the perfect fit for the Patriots’ defense that looks for their two defensive tackles to control the interior of the offensive line while the ends and linebackers make the plays.

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