Gang Green Nation
This weekend’s matchup pits one of the league’s worst teams against one of the best, with New England hoping to emulate their 13-point win over Justin Fields and the Jets last month. That contest was a one-score game into the fourth quarter, but the Jets have been less competitive since then, while New England has gone from strength to strength despite losing to Buffalo a few weeks ago.
Let’s break down the Patriots’ roster going position by position:
Quarterbacks
Drake Maye is arguably looking less likely to win the MVP than he was when these teams last met, but that has more to do with Matthew Stafford separating from the pack than any downturn in his own play.
In fact, he’s coming off a game where he finally cracked the 300 passing yards barrier with a 380-yard effort against Baltimore. Maye also currently leads the league in yards per attempt and completion percentage.
Joshua Dobbs remains as the number two with Tommy DeVito being the third quarterback.
Offensive Line
The main change on the offensive line since these teams last met is that rookie left tackle Will Campbell is now on injured reserve. Vederian Lowe has had plenty of experience at that position over the past few years and he’s probably not much of a downgrade from Campbell, who leads the team in sacks allowed and penalties.
The rest of the line has remained healthy, although right tackle Morgan Moses missed some time on Sunday with Thayer Munford, who is usually a jumbo package option, filling in for him.
Third round rookie Jared Wilson is also hurt and has been ruled out for Sunday but he’s been the weak link on the line anyway. Ben Brown filled in for him at left guard when he missed a few games earlier in the season and will probably do so again on Sunday.
Veterans Mike Onwenu and Garrett Bradbury hold down the right guard and center positions respectively. Bradbury hasn’t given up a sack all season.
Also on the bench are backup center Brendan Jaimes, seventh round rookie tackle Marcus Bryant and backup guard Caedan Wallace. Bryant has seen some action in jumbo packages too.
Running Backs
Second round rookie TreVeyon Henderson had been carrying the load for the Patriots, as he has almost 800 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the season, including a 148-yard, two touchdown performance in the recent loss to the Bills.
However, on Sunday, former starter Rhamondre Stevenson got more of the work with Henderson held to just three yards on five carries before suffering a concussion. Henderson has been listed as questionable for Sunday.
With Antonio Gibson and Terrell Jennings now both on injured reserve, D’Ernest Johnson is the current number three.
Jack Westover is the fullback, although the Patriots have also taken to employing defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga in the backfield. Tonga is out of Sunday’s game, though.
Pass catchers
Stefon Diggs has continued to be a tremendous pickup for the Patriots, as he has...
