Wk 3 Pre-game Thread: Jaguars at Patriots

[RedOctober3829]

This is the ultimate trap game.  Coming off an emotionally charged road division win, a home game versus an inferior opponent, and a bye week coming up.  Jacksonville is an up-and-coming team IMO with young but inexperienced talent on offense.  I am a big fan of their skill guys in Blake Bortles, TJ Yeldon, Marqise Lee, Allen Robinson, Denard Robinson, Rashad Greene, and injured Julius Thomas.  Thomas has practiced with the team and could return this week, but most likely he'll return in Week 4.  
 
Injuries are an issue for this team.  They lost #1 corner Davon House, Denard Robinson, and Rashad Greene to injury during the game yesterday.  Starting DT Sen'Derrick Marks, starting LT Luke Joeckel, starting SS Jonathan Cyprien, RB Toby Gerhart, and starting DE Andre Branch were all inactive yesterday due to injury.
 
Defensively, they play a base 4-3 with Telvin Smith, Paul Posluszny, and Dan Skuta the LBs.  Jared Odrick and Chris Clemons are the ends and Tyson Alualu, Roy Miller, Abry Jones, and rookie Michael Bennett rotate in at tackle.  The secondary is pretty weak with Davon House, Aaron Colvin, and Dwayne Gratz the top 3 corners and Sergio Brown/Josh Evans the primary safeties with Cyprien out last week.
 
The Patriots should be able to do anything they want on offense vs. the Jacksonville defense.  They can pick and choose what to do between run and pass.  Blount should get a lot of carries this week to get himself going.  Defensively, they need to stop TJ Yeldon and don't let Allen Robinson beat them over the top.
 
This week is a mentality type of game.  Belichick has enough ammo from the Buffalo game to keep them focused on the task at hand.  If they play disciplined football, they should take care of the Jaguars.

 

[tims4wins]

BB also has ammo from the fact that Jacksonville beat an AFC East opponent that beat the Pats last year. Any ammo helps.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

Any given Sunday and everything but I'm not worried.  We've lost as big favorites at Gillette before (AZ in 2012 comes to mind) but this Patriots team is locked and loaded right now and Jacksonville is a bad football team, home win against Miami or no home win against Miami.
 
37-17 or something along those lines.

 

[dcmissle]

Seems like every year we have a home game like last year's Raiders game where we expect a blowout and watch with horror as they eek out a 23-20 esque win. I think this week is this year's version of that game.

Or even lose, as in the Arizona game.

But I think the Pats are out to kill the League. And yesterday's 4th quarter messiness helps.

 

[Tony C]

Probably like most of us I barely watch the Jags, but did see much of the 2nd half of their game last week vs the Fins and was unimpressed. Gus Bradley, for one, is a horrible in-game coach. More importantly, Bortles seemed to have zero touch -- a rifle arm, sure, but not terribly accurate and fires it at guys rather than throwing catchable balls. I will say they seemed to have some good athletes on defense and Yeldon looked pretty solid, but based on their win over the Fins I thought it said more bad things about Miami than good things about Jacksonville.
 
But, of course, I agree saying such things is a jinx.

 

[wiffleballhero]

I think the tone was already set when BB made it sound like they had lost by 27 in the presser. I can't imagine that he is taking anything for granted. By Thursday I'll be convinced that Jacksonville is the 85 Bears. 

 

[Kliq]

I think our defensive lapses in the 4th quarter of the Buffalo game will help offset the fact that we have played two hyped up games in a row and this game is anything but that. You know BB is mad that the team took their gas off the pedal in the last game and for a Patriot team it will be treated like they lost.

 

[Stitch01]

Different players of course, but BB also can reference the last game the Pats played against Jacksonville in 2012 which is about as poor of an effort as this team has put up over the last five seasons.
 
Weird stuff happens, but Jags have next to no chance this week.

 

[dynomite]

I think the tone was already set when BB made it sound like they had lost by 27 in the presser. I can't imagine that he is taking anything for granted. By Thursday I'll be convinced that Jacksonville is the 85 Bears. 

I mean, how much spinning does he even have to do? The Jags played the Panthers tough and beat the Dolphins. That's indicative of a decent team that no one should take lightly.

 

[Al Zarilla]

Seems like every year we have a home game like last year's Raiders game where we expect a blowout and watch with horror as they eek out a 23-20 esque win. I think this week is this year's version of that game.

I know what you mean but I don't see this as an eke out in the making. Jax has been this for years.

 

[bankshot1]

line opened at Pats -14, now at -13 1/2
 
I suspect BB will rip into them for a sloppy 4th qtr
 
We suspect the BB/Brady/Pats are on a "mission" from some deity, holy or unholy,
 
I'd love to be the fly on the wall in the inner sanctum.

 

[genoasalami]

Hays Carlyon ‏@HaysCarlyon  3h3 hours ago
Feeling a passing of the torch coming Sunday in Foxboro.
 
Cute little Jags writer

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

 
Hays Carlyon ‏@HaysCarlyon  3h3 hours ago
Feeling a passing of the torch coming Sunday in Foxboro.
 
Cute little Jags writer
 

 
Maybe by "torch" he means football and he's referring to that torch being repeatedly passed by TB12 into the end zone.  I feel that coming Sunday in Foxboro as well.

 

[jsinger121]

Hays Carlyon ‏@HaysCarlyon  3h3 hours ago
Feeling a passing of the torch coming Sunday in Foxboro.
 
Cute little Jags writer

He will be on D&C tomorrow at 9am to get ripped.

 

[Ed Hillel]

I think he was joking.

 

[Saints Rest]

line opened at Pats -14, now at -13 1/2
 
I suspect BB will rip into them for a sloppy 4th qtr
 
We suspect the BB/Brady/Pats are on a "mission" from some deity, holy or unholy,
 
I'd love to be the fly on the wall in the inner sanctum.

That started in BB's post-game locker room talk to players: "We played a good fifty minutes of football. A lot to do this week."

 

[Caspir]

Pretty sure the writer was making a dig at the Bills.

I haven't watched a Jacksonville game since the last time we played them, but this is as close to a trap game as possible for this team. I don't think the Jags secondary has any chance against Julian and Gronk, but a few ill timed fumbles and we could be in a tough one, so hopefully Lewis gets a handle on things.

 

[MillarTime]

Don't put Bradley Fletcher on Allan Robinson.

 

[Ed Hillel]

Don't put Bradley Fletcher on Allan Robinson.

The sad thing about Fletcher is that he only played 18 snaps, and he's the guy we remember. The book's out.

 

[Marciano490]

I think he was joking.

 
Chortles.

 

[SoxVindaloo]

Years when our team has been very strong there is usually one division road loss and one stinker to a mediocre/bad team. The only bad loss I remember at home in recent memory was 2012 vs Az. Of course that year we ran the table in our division.
That 2010 team that went 14-2 lost by 20 at Cleveland. Lots of turnovers that day.
Not that I see that happening Sunday, the last 10 minutes of tripping over their own feet vs Buffalo will keep them focused on the task at hand.

 

[Dogman]

 
Chortles.

 
 
We sure do come up with some great slams on opposing teams QB's names. I nearly busted a gut laughing. 
 
Well done, Marciano.  

 

[Marciano490]

 
 
We sure do come up with some great slams on opposing teams QB's names. I nearly busted a gut laughing. 
 
Well done, Marciano.  

 
You're ornery lately.  It wasn't a slam on Bortles, it was a stupid pun based on Ed saying the Jax writer was joking about a passing of the torch from Brady to Bortles.  Like I was chortling about the joke.  Eat a steak, have some whiskey and enjoy the game, brother.

 

[Dogman]

 
You're ornery lately.  It wasn't a slam on Bortles, it was a stupid pun based on Ed saying the Jax writer was joking about a passing of the torch from Brady to Bortles.  Like I was chortling about the joke.  Eat a steak, have some whiskey and enjoy the game, brother.

 
I am glad you explained that one.
 

 

[GeorgeCostanza]

I am glad you explained that one.
 

I'm more confused having read the explanation. I'm just going to go masterbate.

Edit: but not to the bouncing head BB gif. Yikes.

 

[Marciano490]

Does everyone spell masturbate with two e's because they're really good at it, or are yall just dumb?

 

[Dogman]

Chortles

 

[Dogman]

:rex:

 

[GeorgeCostanza]

Does everyone spell masturbate with two e's because they're really good at it, or are yall just dumb?

I do it in honor of a joke from the movie The Toy that I didn't get until I was older. Pryor finds it hilarious that the little rich kid is referred to as "Master Bates"

And I'm dumb.

 

[singaporesoxfan]

Jags on, Jag off.

 

[GeorgeCostanza]

Considering I have both on my non SoSH fantasy team, I'm very curious to see how the Pats use Lewis and Blount this weekend. If he puts the ball on the ground again I think he'll get buried for a few weeks.

 

[Saints Rest]

I do it in honor of a joke from the movie The Toy that I didn't get until I was older. Pryor finds it hilarious that the little rich kid is referred to as "Master Bates"

And I'm dumb.

That's a joke that goes back to Dickens.  In "Oliver Twist," one of the urchins is named Charlie Bates, who being a young unmarried man in London was known as Master.  Dickens knew that since his books were commonly read outlaid on corners, that this joke would play more in the hearing than in the reading.

 

[Don Buddin's GS]

My Irish mother who grew up in Mission Hill had a similar pun regarding the musician Eddie Duchin, who was a big deal back in her day.
 
It ended with the punchline:  "And here's Eddie Duchin himself."
 
Guess you had to be there.

 

[Scriblerus]

That's a joke that goes back to Dickens.  In "Oliver Twist," one of the urchins is named Charlie Bates, who being a young unmarried man in London was known as Master.  Dickens knew that since his books were commonly read outlaid on corners, that this joke would play more in the hearing than in the reading.

Goes back even further.  Gulliver was first apprenticed to his good Master Bates before he went on his fateful travels...

 

[RedOctober3829]

 

Doug Kyed ‏@DougKyed  1m1 minute ago
OL Ryan Wendell (illness) remains out of Patriots practice. DL Dominique Easley back out there.
 

 

[Devizier]

I do it in honor of a joke from the movie The Toy that I didn't get until I was older. Pryor finds it hilarious that the little rich kid is referred to as "Master Bates"

And I'm dumb.

 
Madeline Kahn did it first.

 

[E5 Yaz]

 
Madeline Kahn did it first.

 
Madeline Kahn wrote Gulliver's Travels?

 

[Carmine Hose]

Does Wendell have ebola or something?

 

[CantKeepmedown]

 
 
 

Jesus, Wendell's been sick for a week now.  Kyed had reported that Wendell was in the locker room Monday, so I assume it's nothing contagious.  

 

[Red Right Ankle]

 
Madeline Kahn wrote Gulliver's Travels?

Yes no no no no no no yes no no yes no no no no no no no no no no yes no no no no no no yes no no yes no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no YES

 

[GregHarris]

 

[pokey_reese]

Isn't this a Jags team that was top-6 in the NFL in sacks last year? I know we just played Buffalo, who led the league, and had no problems, but they can still get after you. Certainly the Pats should be heavy favorites, but this team isn't the gimme it has been the last few years, especially if our run defense continues to struggle.

 

[nothumb]

Isn't this a Jags team that was top-6 in the NFL in sacks last year? I know we just played Buffalo, who led the league, and had no problems, but they can still get after you. Certainly the Pats should be heavy favorites, but this team isn't the gimme it has been the last few years, especially if our run defense continues to struggle.

If this game isn't a gimme then there's no such thing as a gimme. The Pats almost certainly will not open as a bigger favorite than -14 at any point this year.

Any given Sunday, sure, but this is as close as it gets to a lock in the NFL.

 

[BusRaker]

My fear is early turnovers (Lewis, tipped passes) leading the Jax points, then not being able to stop the run as they drain the clock

 

[RG33]

I'm in the camp that this Jags team is on the rise. Solid D front that can get after the QB, rising talent on the offensive side of the ball in Robinson, Yeldon, Hurns, and even Bortles. I'm glad that Thomas won't be active this week. I think the Patriots are certainly the better and deeper team, but they better show up early and not mess around. I would be nervous about Yeldon having his breakout game this weekend.

 

[MetSox1]

Pretty sure the writer was making a dig at the Bills.

I haven't watched a Jacksonville game since the last time we played them, but this is as close to a trap game as possible for this team. I don't think the Jags secondary has any chance against Julian and Gronk, but a few ill timed fumbles and we could be in a tough one, so hopefully Lewis gets a handle on things.

 
You think Lewis plays?  This is the biggest, "Blount comes out of nowhere and get 30 carries" game ever.  Passed the ball all last week, Blount hasn't been seen this year, easy opponent where turnovers are the only thing that should be able to blow it.  

 

[RedOctober3829]

Injury report from today's practice.  Good to see that Vollmer isn't on there.
 
G Ryan Wendell--DNP(illness)
LB Dont'a Hightower--Limited(Shoulder)
DT Dominique Easley--Limited(Hip)
CB Logan Ryan--Limited(Shoulder)
DE Trey Flowers--Full Participation(Knee)
Tavon Wilson and Travaris Cadet were on the injury report last week but were taken off on today's.
 
Jacksonville's is lengthy.
 
DE Andre Branch--DNP(Knee)
SS Jonathan Cyprien--DNP(Calf)
CB Dwayne Gratz--DNP(Ankle)
RB Denard Robinson--DNP(Knee)
RB Toby Gerhart--Limited(Abdomen)
LT Luke Joeckel--Limited(Ankle)
WR Marqise Lee--Limited(Hamstring)
G Brandon Linder--Limited(Shoulder)
DT Sen'Derrick Marks--Limited(Knee)
TE Julius Thomas--Limited(Hand)
 
http://www.patriots.com/schedule-and-stats/injury-report?410

 

[DJnVa]

You think Lewis plays?

 
Sure. Even with Blount, Lewis appears to be the 3rd down back, assuming he holds onto the ball.

 

[nattysez]

I don't like seeing that Hightower has a shoulder injury.  I hope that's not a recurrence of the prior one or an indication that the prior one still isn't fully better.

 

[Prodigal Sox]

Does Wendell have ebola or something?

Could be one of those nasty antibiotic resistant staph infections that show up from time to time.