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Kickoff: The New England Patriots welcome Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions into town. Both teams coming off a first month of the year they would like to forget. Although, Bill Belichick has often reminded us that the first four games of the season is more about figuring things out and as you move forays into October, now is when things should settle down and start to get real for this Patriots team. Both teams are dealing with injuries and both desperately need a win to keep pace in their respected divisions.
The last time these two teams met was September 23, 2018 when the Patriots came to Detroit and lost 26-10. New England owns the all time series lead 7-5.
First Down: Keep the game simple for Bailey Zappe: We saw Brian Hoyer get knocked out early in last weeks game which adds to the murkiness of an already difficult QB situation for the Pats. Mac Jones has been limited in practice, and Hoyer has since been put on injured reserve, which leads us to believe that Bailey Zappe is headed for his first NFL start in week five. Garrett Gilbert presumably will be the backup and if the Patriots are once again forced to make a change he would step in at that time. Much like they did last week against Green Bay the Patriots will best suited to keeping Zappe to easy reads and getting the ball out quickly while leaning on the run game. This Lions defense is not a feared unit as they are statistically the worst in the NFL, and the Patriots can come out victorious Sunday regardless of who is under center if they play smart complimentary football.
Second down: Find a way to frustrate Jared Goff: Belichick is elite when it comes to taking your strengths away and forcing you to get to your second option. The Patriots will need more of that Sunday as Goff and the Lions have been a potent offense through the first month of the season as they are the number one rated offense in the league through the first month. The blue print will be giving Goff exotic looks, bringing pressure, and forcing him to be uncomfortable in the pocket. Find a way to make Goff uncomfortable and things could go the Patriots way.
Third down: Is it time for Isaiah Wynn to be replaced?: We saw the Patriots go with Marcus Cannon early in the Green Bay game when Wynn was struggling, but one may need to ask if they make a move like that permanently some time soon. Wynn is playing like a man who has his confidence rattled which has led to bad technique and poor habits resurfacing. Having a quality line in front of a rookie QB is crucial to keep this offense on the plus side of things, and the Pats will need a better performance from Wynn this week. I don’t know when or if the Patriots will make this move, but Wynn needs a bounce back game on Sunday in the worst way.
Fourth down: A quality running game is essential: The Detroit Lions are the worst defense in the NFL through the first four games and as far as comfortably for a rookie when it comes to their first start, it doesn’t get much better than this. The best way to protect Zappe is to establish the run game early and often. The Lions are giving up 5.6 yards per carry on the ground, and if the Pats are able to run with that type of efficiency it will only making the passing attack that much easier as the Lions step up and are forced to bring me in the box to play the run, making using the play action a real weapon.
Extra Point: The Patriots are wearing their awesome “Pat the Patriot” throwback uniforms this week for the first time since 2012. A very popular jersey among the fanbase and arguably the best throwback in sports. The last time they donned the jersey was in a 29-26 victory over the New York Jets. The Patriots are hoping for similar results here in week five.
Final Drive: Both teams need a win in the worst way, and whoever is able to do so may be able to salvage their season early on. The NFL truly is a week to week league and games in October can come back to bite you when jockeying for playoff position come December. The Patriots are banged up to put it lightly, but in this league nobody feels sorry for you, and just like last week against a quality opponent, the patriots are going to have to play a smart high level football game on all three phases to give them a chance for victory number two.