Locked On Patriots Hit - Quick Takes on the New England Patriots

A Jaguars expert believes Jacksonville’s wide receivers have an advantage over the Patriots secondary.

Christian Gonzalez can only cover one receiver, but New England has already received encouraging performances from the rest of its secondary. Charles Woods stepped up with Carlton Davis out, Kevin Byard has provided stability, and Davis is practicing ahead of Sunday’s matchup.

Zac explains why he likes New England’s secondary against Trevor Lawrence and Jacksonville’s weapons.

Plus, Rhamondre Stevenson has an opportunity to make Patriots history. Stevenson enters the weekend just 36 rushing yards away from passing Curtis Martin for fourth on New England’s all-time rushing list.

But with TreVeyon Henderson pushing for more touches, will Stevenson get enough opportunities to do it?

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What concerns the Jacksonville Jaguars most about facing the New England Patriots?

The answer surprised Zac Blackerby.

On this Patriots HIT, Zac shares his conversation with Jaguars HIT host Kyle Nash, who pointed directly to Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson as the matchup that concerns him most entering Sunday.

That’s interesting because New England’s running game hasn’t consistently taken off yet. Henderson has flashed his explosiveness, Stevenson has produced some physical runs, but the Patriots are still searching for consistency between the running backs, offensive line and play calling.

If New England can finally get that backfield rolling against Jacksonville, it could make life considerably easier for Drake Maye and open opportunities downfield.

Zac also discusses Travis Hunter and whether Jacksonville could dramatically increase his offensive workload against the Patriots. Hunter has primarily played defense this season, but a larger offensive role would give New England another weapon to account for.

Would that actually change the Patriots’ defensive plan with Christian Gonzalez and potentially Carlton Davis available?

Sunday could present some fascinating matchup decisions on both sides.

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Has TreVeyon Henderson done enough to become the Patriots’ top running back?

On this Patriots HIT, Zac Blackerby breaks down the growing RB1 conversation between Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson after New England’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Stevenson appeared to have the advantage throughout training camp, but ball security has once again become a concern. His fumble against Pittsburgh was particularly frustrating after Stevenson appeared to make progress with that issue last season.

Then Henderson returned and immediately reminded everyone what he brings to the offense.

Henderson provides explosiveness, big-play potential and another weapon in the passing game. Zac believes Mike Vrabel probably isn’t looking at the situation as a traditional RB1 versus RB2 competition, and the workload could ultimately depend on the matchup.

But if the question is which running back you trust with the football and which one provides the greater home-run threat, Henderson is making a strong argument.

Zac also dives into a Patriots defense that ranked second in Pro Football Network’s Defensive Impact metric for the week with a 92.5 score. Christian Gonzalez continues to shine, Charles Woods impressed while filling in for Carlton Davis, and New England has several young defenders beginning to emerge.

Who should get more touches moving forward: Henderson or Stevenson?

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The New England Patriots drafted Kyle Williams to bring explosiveness to their offense. Through two games, Zac Blackerby believes they haven’t used him nearly enough.

Williams has just two targets and one reception for 10 yards entering New England’s Week 3 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. With A.J. Brown unavailable, Zac believes Williams offers something the rest of the Patriots receiving corps desperately needs: legitimate vertical speed.

On this Patriots HIT, Zac explains why getting Williams involved could also help Drake Maye.

Maye’s ability to attack defenses downfield was one of the most exciting parts of his game last season. So far this year, New England’s offense has operated much closer to the line of scrimmage. Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson are involved in the running game, Pop Douglas provides a quick-game option and Romeo Doubs has made plays, but Zac wants a receiver who forces opposing safeties to respect the deep ball.

Could Williams become that player against Jacksonville?

Zac also dives into an encouraging start for the Patriots defense. New England ranks ninth in the havoc-rate statistic discussed on the show at 39.1%, measuring plays that create pressure, tackles for loss, turnovers or pass breakups.

With Gabe Akers developing, Harold Landry eventually returning and Carlton Davis working toward getting healthy, Zac believes this defense has room to become even more disruptive.

Can the Patriots defense lead the way in Jacksonville? And is Week 3 finally when New England unleashes Kyle Williams?

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Will Campbell is delivering the second-year improvement New England Patriots fans hoped to see. After facing Seattle’s pass rush and Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt, Campbell ranks eighth in pass-blocking grade through two weeks, according to Pro Football Focus. But an injury to Mike Onwenu has created a new problem for the Patriots’ offensive line.

On today’s Patriots HIT, Zac Blackerby breaks down Campbell’s impressive start and the decisions New England faces at guard.

Campbell has held his own against challenging edge-rusher competition, giving the Patriots an encouraging sign at offensive tackle. Zac explains why his early performances warrant a fresh look at his development after an uneven first season.

The concern is now on the interior. Onwenu suffered an apparent leg injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and head coach Mike Vrabel indicated that he could miss several weeks. At the time of recording, the team had not provided a definitive injury timeline.

Veteran Greg Van Roten replaced Onwenu against Pittsburgh and allowed two quarterback hurries. Should New England stick with Van Roten, consider Walter Rouse or Ben Brown, or move first-round pick Caleb Lomu inside to get him on the field?

Zac weighs the options and explains why moving a tackle to guard can make sense, even though the Patriots drafted Lomu to play tackle.

With a road game against the Jacksonville Jaguars coming up, how should New England handle its offensive line? And can Campbell continue his strong start while the Patriots adjust around him?

Subscribe to Patriots HIT with Zac Blackerby for twice-daily, five-minute New England Patriots coverage, roster updates and analysis.

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The New England Patriots had a major question at cornerback heading into their matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. With Carlton Davis unavailable, would Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers attack whoever lined up opposite Christian Gonzalez?

They tried, but Charles Woods was ready.

On this episode of Patriots HIT, Zac Blackerby breaks down Woods’ performance in New England’s 20-3 victory over Pittsburgh and explains why it changed his outlook on the Patriots’ cornerback depth. Woods was targeted seven times and allowed just four receptions for 24 yards, according to the numbers discussed in the episode. In a larger role than he typically plays, he held up against a Steelers passing attack featuring DK Metcalf.

Zac also examines how New England used Christian Gonzalez after questions about his coverage assignments in the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks. With Davis out, the Patriots needed more than one cornerback they could trust. Woods delivered, while Craig Woodson and Kevin Byard also contributed in the secondary.

The encouraging signs extend beyond the defensive backs.

New England entered the season with questions about its edge rush, particularly with Harold Landry missing the opening stretch. Dre’Mont Jones has also been dealing with a shoulder issue, but Elijah Ponder made his presence felt against Pittsburgh with early pressure on Aaron Rodgers.

Then there is rookie Gabe Jacas. The second-round pick out of Illinois continues to impress Zac through his first two NFL games. Jacas still has moments where he looks like a rookie, but his ability to affect the quarterback is giving the Patriots another option on the edge.

Zac discusses how the combination of Ponder, Jacas, a potentially healthier Jones and an eventual Landry return could give New England a deeper pass-rushing rotation than expected.

With the Patriots preparing to visit the Jacksonville Jaguars, can Charles Woods build on his performance if Carlton Davis remains unavailable? And is New England’s defense developing the depth it needs to handle injuries throughout the season?

Who impressed you more against Pittsburgh: Charles Woods or the Patriots’ edge rushers?

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The New England Patriots beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 20-3, but not every Patriots fan is satisfied with how the offense played. Zac Blackerby believes this win deserves some perspective. New England controlled the game against Aaron Rodgers and a Steelers team that made the playoffs last season, even while dealing with turnovers and missing several key players.

On this episode of Patriots HIT, Zac breaks down why the Patriots’ defensive performance should be the biggest takeaway from the victory. New England held Pittsburgh to just three points, and the game remained firmly in the Patriots’ control despite mistakes on offense. With Carlton Davis unavailable, Charles Woods stepped up in the secondary, while the defense as a whole made life difficult for Rodgers and the Steelers.

That does not mean the offensive concerns should be ignored.

Drake Maye threw an interception, and Zac discusses the questions surrounding his decision-making, mechanics and footwork through the first two games of the season. There are legitimate areas for Maye and the Patriots offense to improve, but Zac explains why he is not ready to panic about the young quarterback after just two weeks.

The Patriots also won without AJ Brown, adding another layer of context to a performance that was not always pretty but produced a convincing result.

Later in the episode, Zac turns his attention to rookie edge defender Gabe Jacas. The second-round pick out of Illinois has impressed through his first two NFL games and is helping answer an important question about New England’s pass rush while Harold Landry is sidelined. Zac discusses Jacas’ early impact, his upside and his postgame interaction with Aaron Rodgers.

With a road matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars coming next, can the Patriots build on this defensive performance while cleaning up the offensive mistakes?

What is your biggest takeaway from New England’s 20-3 win? Are you encouraged by the defense, concerned about Drake Maye, or somewhere in between?

Subscribe to Patriots HIT for twice-daily, five-minute New England Patriots coverage, game reactions, player analysis and the latest developments throughout the NFL season.

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Stephon Gilmore is retiring as a New England Patriot! After a career that included two All-Pro selections, a Defensive Player of the Year award and a Super Bowl championship, Gilmore is choosing to close his career with the team he helped bring another Lombardi Trophy to New England.

On today’s Patriots HIT, Zac Blackerby reflects on Gilmore’s four seasons with the Patriots, including his crucial interception against the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII.

Then, attention turns to Sunday’s matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Gabe Jacas and Dre’Mont Jones have two important jobs against Aaron Rodgers: generate pressure and keep him contained in the pocket.

Rodgers can extend plays and create problems for a defense when he gets outside the pocket. Can New England’s edge rushers get after him without opening escape lanes? Zach breaks down why that balance could be critical against Pittsburgh.

What’s your favorite Stephon Gilmore Patriots moment, and how much pressure can New England generate against Rodgers? Let us know in the comments!

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The New England Patriots’ pass rush was one of the biggest concerns entering the season, but rookie Gabe Jacas may be changing that conversation. Can he build on his impressive debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers?

On today’s Patriots HIT, Zac Blackerby breaks down why Jacas deserves a bigger role after recording a sack, two tackles for loss and a quarterback hit in just 19 defensive snaps against the Seattle Seahawks.

Dre’Mont Jones also made plays, giving New England reason for optimism about its edge rushers. But can the Patriots deliver that same pressure against Pittsburgh and put together two strong performances in a row?

PLUS, Mack Hollins’ reworked contract incentives raise some interesting questions about his role in the Patriots’ offense.

Hollins discussed why he agreed to tougher reception incentives and how much staying in New England mattered to him. With A.J. Brown expected to miss time and Hollins emerging as a trusted target for Drake Maye in the fourth quarter, could his opportunities increase against the Steelers?

We also discuss the reported trade interest in Hollins, the Patriots’ decision to move Ke’Shawn Boutte instead, and what the situation might say about the culture Mike Vrabel is building.

Should Gabe Jacas get more snaps, and how big of a role will Mack Hollins play this season? Let us know in the comments!

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Rhamondre Stevenson is just 80 rushing yards away from passing Curtis Martin for fourth place on the New England Patriots' all-time rushing list. Could he make history against the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday?

On today's Patriots HIT, Zach Blackerby breaks down why Stevenson could have a bigger game than expected against a Steelers defense that allowed Atlanta to find some success on the ground in Week 1.

Pittsburgh has T.J. Watt and a dangerous defensive front, but the threat of Drake Maye could give New England opportunities to establish its running game. Can Stevenson reach the milestone and help the Patriots move the football more effectively?

PLUS, is Kyle Williams finally about to get his opportunity?

With A.J. Brown unavailable, the Patriots need someone who can stretch the field. Williams showed his deep-threat ability throughout the preseason, but he hasn't developed the same connection with Maye that he showed with Tommy DeVito.

Even a few targets downfield could give Williams a chance to make an impact while creating more space for the rest of New England's offense.

Will Rhamondre Stevenson make history, and is this the week Kyle Williams breaks out? Let us know your predictions in the comments!

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