Patriots 3 Phase Preview: Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots

Posted By on August 10, 2017

By John Sarianides

The wait is over! The 2017 season kicks off tonight with the first pre-season game of the season. After three days of joint practices, the Patriots will host the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium tonight. 

Here are three things to look for in terms of the offense, defense and special teams.

Offense: Tom Brady is sitting out tonight so the Patriots will start Jimmy Garoppolo and play Jacoby Brissett. This is a big start for Garoppolo. He has been inconsistent thus far this summer and needs to prove that he is still the guy the Patriots think he is. 

In terms of the game plan, you are going to see a lot of the base offense. The Patriots will be in 21 personnel  (2 RB’s, 2 WR’s, 1 TE), 11 personnel (1 RB, 3 WR’s and 1 TE) and 12 personnel (1 RB, 2 TE’s, 2 WR’s) a lot. 

Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels will throw a lot on first down with both Garopollo and Jacoby Brissett. McDaniels wants to work different situations as well as evaluate talent. That is why the Patriots will focus more on the players than the personnel groupings tonight .

Defense: Tonight is more about fronts, coverages, alignment and assignments. Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia will only pressure in certain situations.

Just like the offensive staff, the defensive staff needs to evaluate the second and third teamers and see what they have from a depth standpoint. Look for young guys like rookies Derek Rivers and Deatrich Wise Jr to get extended action in this game.

Special Teams: As always, pre-season games are a good way for special teams coordinator Joe Judge to figure out what guys can play special teams and make the team. 

Judge knows what Matthew Slater, Nate Ebner and Brandon Bolden can do. It’s figuring out what guys on the bottom third of the roster can do.

It will be interesting to see who returns kick offs and punts tonight. Which young skill guy will emerge and make an impression? We will find out tonight.

Final Thoughts: Tonight is about evaluating the bottom third of the roster. The coaches need to figure out if there are guys on the bottom third of this roster that are worthy of making the practice squad and the final 53. Tonight is a big night for the young guys and established veterans, particularly Garoppolo and Brissett.