By Mason Sousa, NEFTBJ Contributor

Welp. This hurts. And by the looks of it Mac Jones was in a world of hurt on the final Patriots offensive play of the game in Week 3 as well.  It’s on to recovery of a high ankle

sprain for Mac and it’s on to Green Bay for the rest of the New England Patriots.

It’s one thing to lose a game, it’s another to potentially lose the starting QB for an extended period of time.  This COULD BE the longest number of games since the 2008 season that the Patriots starting Quarterback misses consecutive games due to injury, suspension, or any reason for that matter.

HOWEVER!  Coach Bill ‘not a doctor’ Belichick was vintage in Wednesday’s press conference being mysterious as always if Mac Jones will miss anytime at all nevermind 2 months.  Whether it be Mac Jones or Axel Brian Hoyer the Patriots will be a huge underdog up in Green Bay.

How the hell can the Patriots shock the world and beat Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay with a backup Quarterback?

This has eery shades of Week 4 2014.  “The Patriots are a weak team they aren’t good anymore” infamously said by Trent Dilfer 8 years ago.

Well it’s Week 4 2022 and the deck is stacked against the Patriots.

The last time Brian Hoyer started under center was against the Chiefs which was also the last time they were a double digit underdog.  Hoyer hasn’t won in his last 11 starts and in the last one was benched for Jarrett Stidham in Kansas City after horrendous clock management at the end of the 1st Half.

Well at least so far this year, the Green Bay Packers offense isn’t what it’s been in years past, in fact based on points scored its one of the worst in the league. (27th)

The connection just isn’t as crisp as it needs to be between Rodgers and his receivers.  That might be turning around though after a rookie stepped up and was a focal point in Week 3 for Green Bay.

Players to Look for

Romeo Doubs emerged in Week 3. 

8 catches 8 targets

The most any Packers pass catcher has been targeted in a single game so far this year.  When Rodgers has his eyes locked on a target, watch out!  He will find ways to get him the ball.  We saw that for years with him and Davante Adams.  Not saying Doubs is or will be the talent that Adams is but he was a clear piece of the offensive game-plan in Week 3 that allowed Green Bay to get the two-point victory over Brady and the Bucs.

Doubs can make some plays after the catch, especially in the screen game.  I expect quick slants and bubble screens to be utilized by Rodgers a decent amount on Sunday where the Packers can take advantage with speed and elusiveness. 

Jonathan Jones is a great candidate to line up against Doubs and welcome the rookie to the NFL.  That should be fun matchup.

Jaire Alexander is one of the league’s best cornerbacks and has the team’s lone interception of the season.  Alexander left Week 3 early with a groin injury and didn’t return, however he is limited in practice this week.  Much like Mac Jones, Matt Lefleur has labeled Alexander ‘day-to-day’ (not as emphatically as Bill Belichick though I might add).  Marlon Humphrey was playing banged up too last week and still managed an interception against the Patriots.  I expect Jaire Alexander to play and if it’s Devante Parker he lines up against it’ll be fair to say another career day from Parker would be unlikely this week.

Aaron Jones is 3rd out of all running backs in yards per attempt with an astounding 6.8 yards.  Now it’s an early sample size of 3 games and long runs can greatly exaggerate that average.  But taking a closer look, 7 of Jones’ 32 carries have gone for 10+ yards.  More often than 1 out of every 5 attempts Aaron Jones is making a big play and that is crucial to sustaining drives, running clock, and demoralizing defenses.  Jones along with AJ Dillion will look to bounce back after being bottled up against the Bucs elite run defense last week.

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Left Tackle David Bakhtiari made his season debut last week after a brutal knee injury at the end of the 2020 season.  22 months later he returned to play a little more than half the snaps.  He’s going to need a little more time to get his sea legs under him as seen in this clip:

https://twitter.com/nfl/status/1575183564173344770?s=21

Matthew Judon has a sack in all 3 games so far this season.  I see that trend continuing and Judon being a force in this one against a less than 💯 Bakhtiari.

BOLD PREDICTION:

Brian Hoyer does NOT turn the ball over.

Is that unfair?

It might be, I apologize. 

However, the QB of the Patriots (Mac Jones) is responsible for 6 turnovers through 3 games. Now tell me, is it bold to suggest the Patriots quarterback has a clean game up in raucous Lambeau Field in Week 4?

It just might be.

GAME PREDICTION: Like last week this is a winnable game for the Patriots even if Mac Jones isn’t playing. The run game and defense has a while will need to ball out and I think it’s possible. The Packers have talented skill guys but I don’t believe any of them besides Aaron Jones have that game breaking capability that Lamar Jackson and his speedy skill guys have.  If the Patriots defense can perform like they did in the 1st Half against Baltimore this is a winnable game.  It’s up to Axel Brian Hoyer to not turn the ball over and have disciplined clock management when the situation calls for it.

And for the love of God can we get respectable amount of Kendrick Bourne please?  With all that being said, the Patriots offense is still gelling, likely a backup QB this week, it truly would be the upset of the year if the Patriots could pull it off.  I can see it being close, maybe even a Patriots halftime lead but in the end…

Score prediction: Packers 20 Patriots 17