It seems like it was just days ago when the Patriots & Jaguars squared off in the AFC Wildcard Round. The results shook the SFL, as New England’s “slow & aging” offense put up over 50 points on their way to a decisive victory. Even a mid-game Power Outage wasn’t enough to stop the red-hot Patriots that day. While the win leaves one to imagine how Jacksonville could be competitive so soon after such a wide margin of victory in favour of their opponents, many things have changed since then - these are not the same Franchises.
When looking at Jacksonville’s roster, the most obvious difference maker is that they will have their starting QB back for the rematch. While some would point to the Head Coach & GM and criticize his inability to establish depth at such a crucial position, most understand what a difference maker this would have been. Minshew’s return is expected to be felt right away. His presence will not only boost their incredibly speedy WR group (keep an eye out for the blazing rookie, Tutu Atwell), but he will assuredly lift the play of the offense as a whole.
To go along with what looks to be an explosive passing attack, the Jags made a dramatic improvement in their offensive backfield in drafting Gainwell out of Memphis. The rookie looks to have the makings of an all-time great. Coach Aranda will have his hands full when it comes to trying to figure out how to neutralize him with such little game tape available.
On the defensive side of the ball.. Jacksonville made a pair of key additions to address their secondary. The highlight of these moves was the acquisition of FS Marcus Williams. Paid handsomely, the Jags expect big things right away. Having Williams on the field will surely go a long way in limiting the explosiveness of the Patriots’ passing attack.
With the flurry of roster improvements listed above, the Wildcard Round chip on the shoulder, and the fear of starting the 2021 Campaign 0-2.. The Jaguars have every reason to put a very different looking team on the field this Sunday. It would be an understatement to say that there wasn’t sufficient bulletin board material leading into this one. While only in week 2, it is very possible that this early matchup could play a factor in playoff positioning when looking back at the end of the season. At the very least, a loss hear could be disastrous for the confidence & ego of Jacksonville’s ‘Bench Boss’.
Get your popcorn ready folks, this one promises to deliver some fireworks!!
After a season riddled with transition, it’s fair to say the New England Patriots overachieved in 2020. What was set up to be a sure failure, ended up being nothing of the sort. The Cam Newton experiment went surprisingly well & players used their extended season to improve & develop. The extra games led to Front Office personnel being able to get a clear picture as to who would really fit the long term plans of the Patriots. While the season didn’t result in the Franchise’s 7th Super Bowl trophy, it positioned the organization tremendously well as it looked on to 2021.
The Patriots made shock waves across the League as they engaged in what could arguably be the most dynamic offseason in Franchise History. They wasted little time in their pursuit of talent to fill the gaps in their aging roster. 5 offers were extended to Free Agents the moment the new League Year opened & a 6th was made as the weeks rolled along. After all the dust settled.. the Pats successfully negotiated with all 6 of their desired targets and managed to bring depth, along with a little bit of star power to the North East. New England’s Free Agency class was highlighted by Superstar MLB Demario Davis, Star LE Melvin Ingram, and the new face of the franchise in Superstar QB Dak Prescott.
With their roster almost game ready, and the draft just around the corner.. the Patriots shifted their focus to their most glaring need.. Wide Receiver. With a hole at the position as large as the Grand Canyon, and their only real receiving threat being Star 2nd year TE Devin Asiasi, the Pats focused all of their resources on scouting the College ranks for potential talent. After scouring the in-coming draft class, the team went all in, drafting WRs in each of the first 2 Rounds. Ohio State standout Chris Olave & the dynamic Amon-Ra St. Brown out of USC found themselves to be the newest members of the storied Massachusetts franchise. After addressing the roster’s last obvious weakness, Coach & GM Dave Aranda, finished off the offseason by selecting Texas HB Keontay Ingram & intriguing QB prospect Kellen Mond of Texas A&M.
With OTAs & Training Camp in the rearview mirror, the Patriots are locked in on making 2021 a season for the ages. While there is still room for the team to develop & gel as a group, Coach Aranda has assured Pats Nation that anything less than a playoff appearance would be a catastrophic disappointment. With nothing left to do but put the finished product on the field, the Pats are on to 2021.
Willie McGinest, NFL Network