Well, Pats fans… Things got really complicated this week, didn’t they? Following a 36-26 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the regular feeling of defeat wasn’t the only thing hurting the Patriots. Starting quarterback Mac Jones suffered a high ankle sprain (allegedly, go ask Bill Belichick. He loves to answer those questions.) on the last play of the game.
Initial reports say the second-year signal caller will miss multiple weeks with this issue. Though Belichick and Jones insist he is just “day to day”. Refusing to rule out Jones. Because Green Bay is surely shaking in their boots figuring out how to play against BOTH Jones and Brian Hoyer.
Anyways, let’s get down to it. The Packers are coming off a pair of big wins. Stomping their division rival Chicago Bears on primetime, then slaying Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Raymond James Stadium last weekend. This is a damn good green-and-gold squad. Aaron Rodgers shows no signs of slowing down. Despite throwing the ball to McDonald’s employees and a washed-up Randall Cobb. They also sport an insanely good defense with pieces like Jaire Alexander, Preston Smith, Adrian Amos, and Rashan Gary. They’re likely to be at the top of the NFC playoff picture yet again.
Whether it’s Brian Hoyer (the Destroyer) or McCorkle Jones, the Pats are in for a rough day. But they’re never out of it. We saw them do more with less in 2020 when Cam Newton caught COVID-19 before a matchup versus the Chiefs and they managed to keep it close regardless. Coming up just short. If New England has a chance, here’s what they’re going to need to do. Set it up, Bailey! Let’s get this preview underway…
Three Keys to the Game
Key #1: Play Safe Offense
So, let’s just assume Mac Jones isn’t playing this week. And that it’ll be Brian Hoyer under center in Green Bay. You can’t do a lot of the things that you’re used to with Jones. Sure, it’s not like McCorkle is this athletic specimen that can just run by everybody and make insane plays and throws. He’s your average NFL quarterback. But Hoyer is a much lesser version of that.
Not that Hoyer is BAD. He’s a capable NFL quarterback (despite what some of you haters might say) that can do some stuff in a tight spot. But you’re playing a much safer brand of offense with him. Not as many deep shots downfield, relying on the run game a little heavier. The Patriots’ usual thin margin of error gets even thinner without Jones on the field. If the Pats can play a mistake-free brand of football, they might just have a shot in this matchup.
Key #2: Control the Clock
I think it’s safe to assume the Patriots will not be scoring a whole lot on offense. I know, I know, per usual. What’re you getting at McChesney? The Patriots need to get their offense the ball as much as possible. Which means a tight defensive game plan.
If New England is going to win this game, it’ll be a turtle’s race to 20 points. Slowing this game down with long methodical drives and forcing Rodgers and the Packers to take their checkdowns is the way to do it. The Patriots don’t need to score on every drive. But they do need to take at least two and a half minutes off the clock every time they touch the ball and get quick turnarounds on defense to do it all over again.
Key #3: Stop Aaron Jones
Aaron Jones is one of the most underrated running backs in the NFL. He’s shifty, explosive, and more than adequate in the passing game. He’s a jack of all trades in this Packers offense that is desperate for good weapons. Outside of the 4-time MVP they have for a quarterback, Jones is the most dangerous player on this field. You can’t totally take the signal caller out of the game. But you can take a good running back out of it. Look at Belichick’s history versus guys like LeVeon Bell back in his prime. The Pats can do this. It’s just a matter of will they, and how.
X-Factor: Quarterback Brian Hoyer
Like I said before, I know that Jones is telling teammates to not count him out this week in Green Bay. And I know that Bill Belichick is insisting that it’s a day-by-day injury. But I’m willing to take the gamble that, *ahem* HOYAH THE DESTROYAH, is going to be the starter in this matchup.
What do we know about Brian Hoyer? Well, he’s 0-11 in his past 11 starts. His last was in Kansas City in 2020 where he fumbled the bag on an all-time great defensive gameplan from his head coach. And was buried under Arrowhead for his sins.
With a record like that, why have faith? I understand your skepticism. But Hoyer is basically a player coach. He knows the offense probably better than his play caller Matt Patricia and certainly knows more about quarterbacking than his quarterback’s coach Joe Judge.
I think he has a solid grip on how to run the offense, and it’s his physical skill that holds him back. He looked capable in pre-season. If he outright sucked, he’d be out of the pads. If Belichick didn’t have faith in him. He definitely wouldn’t be in New England anymore. If he can put up one or two more decent games before Mac’s return, I think the Pats can be competitive in this match-up. All will be riding on him this Sunday.
Concluding Thoughts/Prediction
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It’s really hard to twist this situation into a positive for the Patriots. They don’t have their starting quarterback. And they’re going on the road to play the back-to-back number one seed of the NFC in Lambeau Field. It’s eerily similar to the situation they faced just two short years ago in Arrowhead in a COVID-plagued season.
Unfortunately, even with a better team than what they had in 2020, I can’t see this ending well for New England. Even if they had Mac Jones available it’d be hard for the Pats to pull off a victory. I think they’ll play a safe brand of offense. It’ll be relatively easy to defend, and if you’re praying for Rodgers and Matt Lafleur to make a mistake to give you a good field position? It’s not a great bet.
Final Score: 28-13, Packers win (Patriots fall to 1-3)
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