The New England Patriots (0-2) take on the New York Jets (1-1) in Week 3 action on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. Here are five final questions for the Pats as they gear up for a must-win game on the road…
Does Bill Belichick Still Have It?
That’s admittedly a broad question, and one that would get a wide range of reactions when presented in a vacuum. And everyone who responds will be absolutely sure of their opinions. But for the purpose of this game against the Jets, the question is: does Bill Belichick still have “It” against young, sloppy quarterbacks?
Because if there’s anything that Belichick has been a stone-cold lock to accomplish as Patriots head coach, it’s to flummox, hoodwink, and bamboozle bad QBs. His defensive philosophy has always centered around forcing opponents to be smart and patient and clean as they march their way down the field.
FOXBOROUGH, MA: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on during the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on Sept. 17, 2023. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Fourth-year pro Tua Tagovailoa passed the test with flying colors in Week 2. If friggin’ Zach Wilson passes his test on Sunday, that’s a horrible sign for Belichick’s supposed defensive prowess. Because that’s how he’s built his team, and that’s been his area of expertise for decades. He may not be piloting the Death Star like he used to, but his approach should still work against young signal-callers who struggle with decision-making and ball security. Like Wilson.
Despite the doubts creeping in about the job Belichick is doing with the 0-2 Patriots, we’re not expecting some kind of Zach Wilson Renaissance on Sunday at MetLife, especially with rain and wind expected to descend on the teams when they take the field. This should be a game that the Pats defense can mix up their looks and simply wait for Wilson to do something stupid. It might not take long.
How much does Demario Douglas play?
FOXBOROUGH, MA: Demario Douglas of the New England Patriots fumbles the ball against Bradley Chubb of the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium on Sept. 17, 2023. (Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Demario Douglas is a dynamic rookie and a diamond in the rough as a sixth-round pick out of Liberty. So it was tough to watch the Patriots struggle to move the ball with any consistency or explosion against the Dolphins, while Douglas was stapled to the bench after fumbling in the first quarter.
It’s simple: Douglas HAS to play. If he fumbles again, he needs to go back in at some point. Belichick can’t afford to bench his most explosive receiving threat. Douglas may also need to return punts, with Marcus Jones officially headed to injured reserve.
Belichick’s decision to keep Douglas out of the game throughout last Sunday’s loss felt like a perplexing, Malcolm Butler-esque over-punishment. This ain’t the Brady era anymore. Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman aren’t walking through that door. He really can’t get away with this stuff right now.
If Belichick wants to “move the ball and score points,” as he always says, he needs to play Douglas more, and put up with the rookie moments. Unless he wants to keep not scoring…
Can the Patriots win the turnover battle?
FOXBOROUGH, MA: Xavien Howard of the Miami Dolphins intercepts a pass intended for DeVante Parker of the New England Patriots during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium on Sept. 17, 2023. (Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
One of the hallmarks of the Tom Brady era was that the Patriots would almost always protect the ball better than their opponents. Unfortunately, the post-Brady era has been much different, and so far in 2023, it’s been bad.
The Patriots have a minus-2 turnover differential through two weeks, ranking 25th in the league. They have the 10th-most giveaways and are tied for the ninth-fewest takeaways. Un-Patriot-like. If you’re comparing to the Brady era, anyway.
So, even against Wilson and the Jets, the Patriots aren’t guaranteed to have better ball security. And the inclement weather will throw a wrench into the whole thing. This game could simply come down to who commits a big turnover and who doesn’t.
Will their red zone success continue?
Sept. 17, 2023; Foxborough, MA: New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry catches a pass for a touchdown during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. (Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports)
Believe it or not, the Patriots are tied for the fourth-best red zone offense through two weeks. That’s based on their touchdown rate when they reach the red area, which is a strong 71.4 percent after two games.
A possible explanation for their improvement is that Mac Jones has been empowered to throw more down there. The Patriots had a productive red zone offense in Jones’ rookie year in 2021, but that was mainly because of their run game. It’s been years since their red zone passing attack has looked this good, and it’s largely because Jones and Hunter Henry’s chemistry has been allowed to flourish.
Sunday is a good test for the offense in the red zone – provided they can get there. The Jets have the seventh-best red zone defense through two games, and their unit is surely deep, tough, and talented. It’ll be a great sign for the offense if Jones can keep throwing touchdown passes from within the 20.
What does special teams have up their sleeve?
FOXBOROUGH, MA: Jason Sanders of the Miami Dolphins has his field goal attempt blocked by Brenden Schooler of the New England Patriots during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium on Sept. 17, 2023. (Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
The Patriots did have one special moment in their loss to the Dolphins: Brenden Schooler’s blocked kick, a unique play for the NFL, the kind that could lead to copycats and rule changes.
Joe Judge is back where he belongs in coordinating the Patriots’ special teams units, and it’s already paying off. It would be nice to see the Patriots play better complementary football – Jones promptly threw a bad interception off Schooler’s blocked kick – but on Sunday in New York, the game could definitely come down to a big play on special teams.
It’ll be ineresting to see if the Pats’ ST units have another ace up the sleeve, and if the Jets are ready for it.
