Patriots
Mac Jones’s skill to bounce again in Invoice O’Brien’s offensive system may decide the Patriots’ playoff hopes in 2023.
![GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - AUGUST 19: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots celebrates after a touchdown in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers during a preseason game at Lambeau Field on August 19, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.](https://bdc2020.o0bc.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/P5WST4RVKZLNXDDFOCYPP27JZ4-64f62cf1b74f3-768x432.jpeg)
In the end, soccer season is again.
After over a month of sweltering coaching camp practices and preseason contests, Invoice Belichick, Mac Jones and the Patriots will look to place a disappointing 2022 marketing campaign within the rearview mirror and attempt to punch their ticket again to the postseason in 2023.
However even with some shocking developments amid the twists and turns of preseason motion, there are many issues we nonetheless don’t learn about this Patriots squad.
With New England’s season opener set for Sunday at Gillette Stadium, listed here are 10 questions dealing with the 2023 Patriots.
Can Invoice O’Brien’s offense revive Mac Jones?
Mac Jones caught some flack for his “Alabama Mac” feedback earlier this preseason.
However Jones’s call-back to his days again in Tuscaloosa wasn’t a commentary on his play fashion or any untapped potential.
Fairly, it revolved round a mindset that the third-year QB is trying to get again to, again when he operated with heaps of confidence — each in his personal skills and particularly the system round him.
Even when he was enjoying at his greatest with the Crimson Tide, Jones was by no means a QB who diced up defenses because of a howitzer of an arm or some play-extending athleticism.
However when he’s on his recreation, Jones is a poised, correct passer who can execute in a flexible and layered offensive scheme, particularly one that attracts up loads of RPOs (run-pass possibility), screens and brief passes.
Sure, we’ve solely seen Jones conduct three drives throughout preseason motion this summer season.
But it surely’s evident that with Invoice O’Brien given the keys to New England’s offense, the Patriots’ offensive personnel is making a concerted effort at enjoying to their QB’s strengths (a novel idea after final yr’s debacle).
Whether or not or not it’s extra RPOs, heaps of pre-snap movement, and a wide range of completely different personnel seems to be, it looks as if O’Brien is leaving no stone unturned with regards to bolstering an offense that was largely rudderless beneath Matt Patricia and Joe Choose’s simplified schemes.
Given O’Brien’s resume as an offensive play-caller and his expertise with each New England and Alabama, the blueprint needs to be there for each Jones and the Patriots offense to bounce again in 2023.
But it surely’ll fall on Jones to execute. The Patriots season will doubtless depend upon it.
Can the offensive line maintain up?
Jones’s play beneath O’Brien may decide New England’s ceiling this season.
However the Patriots’ season could not even be capable of get off the bottom if Jones continues to be trucked into the turf on each single drive.
A banged-up offensive line labored all through aggressive group drills throughout camp. The preseason was even worse, with New England coughing up 11 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hits and 4 fumbles in three video games towards the Texans, Packers, and Titans.
You may pencil in each Trent Brown (left deal with) and David Andrews (C) in New England’s beginning group. Ideally, the inside of the Patriots’ O-line is in good condition with Cole Unusual (LG) and Mike Onwenu (RG) subsequent to Andrews.
However New England is in a race towards time so far as getting again to full energy, with each Onwenu and Unusual very restricted all through the summer season because of accidents. Getting each again for Week 1 will go a great distance towards defending Jones, however the emptiness at proper deal with stays a priority.
Does Onwenu shift over to RT? Can Calvin Anderson rise up to hurry after lacking virtually all of camp/preseason because of a non-football sickness (NFI)? Is a rookie like Sidy Sow prepared for reps at deal with? Can lately acquired pickups in Vederian Lowe and Tyrone Wheatley Jr. get caught in control earlier than Week 1?
Regardless of the closing configuration is, the Patriots must get some readability on their offensive line.
As a result of if Jones spends most of his snaps beneath duress, any good points made by O’Brien and Co. in the end received’t imply that a lot.
Will a No. 1 receiver emerge for New England?
No, the Patriots didn’t land DeAndre Hopkins in free company this summer season.
However the truth that New England closed out lower day with six receivers on their roster for the primary time since 2019 is a testomony to the depth that the Patriots consider they’ve within the passing recreation.
Even with Tyquan Thornton now on IR, Jones should not have any scarcity of choices to show to when he drops again for a cross.
DeVante Parker’s skill to reel in contested catches makes him a helpful asset on the skin, whereas JuJu Smith-Schuster may very well be utilized out of the slot, given his skill to eat up yards after the catch.
Together with a couple of promising rookies, a bounce-back yr from Hunter Henry may assist alleviate among the red-zone woes that plagued New England in 2022.
However can anybody on New England’s depth chart assert itself as Jones’s go-to possibility by means of the air?
It is perhaps asking loads for any participant on this roster to surpass 1,000 receiving yards (no Patriot has achieved it since Julian Edelman in 2019).
However a motivated Kendrick Bourne may very well be a participant that thrives in O’Brien’s system, given each his versatility and chemistry with Jones.
Does Ezekiel Elliott have something left within the tank?
The Patriots have already got a confirmed No. 1 possibility within the trenches in Rhamondre Stevenson.
However New England discovered its lesson final season when it got here to Stevenson’s workload, with the all-purpose again solely surpassing 55 dashing yards as soon as over his closing eight video games of the 2022 season.
Stevenson will as soon as once more be a focus of New England’s offense, however they want another choice within the run recreation to lighten Stevenson’s reps.
The Patriots hope that they’ve that in Elliott, who’s trying to proper the ship after a down season with the Cowboys.
Granted, it’s a testomony to the excessive requirements that Elliott set for himself in Dallas {that a} “down” season in 2022 nonetheless noticed him rush for 12 touchdowns — equaling the variety of dashing scores that your complete 2022 Patriots roster achieved.
If Elliott has extra left within the tank, he ought to do way over simply make life simpler for Stevenson. Elliott’s short-yardage expertise (seven of his 12 touchdowns final yr got here from the 1-yard line), pass-blocking skills and talent to reel in catches may make him a key cog in New England’s offense.
Can Demario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte push up the depth chart?
It’s to be anticipated for established veterans like Parker, Smith-Schuster, Bourne, and Henry to be the highest targets for Jones when he scans the sphere this Sunday.
However after some spectacular performances throughout coaching camp practices and preseason reps, can a pair of sixth-round rookies in Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte make a right away impression this season?
Douglas, tabbed by Fox Sports activities and NFL Community’s Peter Schrager as a possible “‘Breakout Participant of the 12 months,” has frequently tormented defensive backs throughout camp because of his route-running and stop-and-start acceleration.
Given Douglas’s restricted snaps throughout preseason play, it certain appears like New England needed to restrict how a lot tape groups may compile of the rookie.
As soon as considered a roster-bubble fixture after a sluggish begin to camp, Boutte received higher and higher because the preseason continued. He nonetheless has an uphill climb on New England’s depth chart, however Boutte is a younger participant price holding round.
Boutte’s 42-yard landing towards the Packers again on Aug. 19 showcased the skillset that established the younger wideout as a five-star recruit at LSU.
Any further contributions from both rookie can be welcomed by Jones and Co. this season.
Can defensive rookies make an immediate impression?
Rookies like Douglas and Boutte will not be the one 2023 draftees poised to make an impression on New England’s roster this season.
Whereas each Douglas and Boutte will look to battle for reps out of the gate, fellow rookies like Christian Gonzalez are anticipated to fit right into a featured position proper from Week 1.
Gonzalez first earned seems to be as one in every of New England’s beginning boundary corners throughout minicamp, and he hasn’t been bumped from his perch since then. Count on him to open the yr reverse Jonathan Jones on the skin.
As a lot as New England’s defensive unit is anchored by veterans and different acquainted faces, each Keion White (2nd spherical, forty sixth total), and Marte Mapu (third spherical, 76th total) may emerge as regular contributors on the Patriots’ front-seven personnel.
Can New England’s secondary maintain up with out Devin McCourty?
There isn’t one participant that the Patriots can flip to that can totally replicate Devin McCourty’s management, communication skills and play within the secondary.
However as a substitute of simply counting on one participant to step into these cleats, the Patriots have embraced a rotation of gamers at security all through the preseason — resulting in fairly constructive outcomes.
It’s to be anticipated for Kyle Dugger to as soon as once more take a step ahead in his third season in Foxborough. But when Jabrill Peppers and Jalen Mills can excel in bigger roles in 2023, a place group that was as soon as a query mark may all of the sudden be an space of energy this fall.
What’s Jack Jones’s standing?
Even with a lackluster exhibiting throughout New England’s preseason finale towards the Titans, a ball hawk like Jones needs to be a gentle contributor on the Patriots’ protection, particularly as the following man up behind Gonzalez and Jonathan Jones on the boundary.
But it surely’s nonetheless unclear what awaits Jones this season within the wake of his June arrest at Logan Airport and the gun prices that he’s dealing with.
Jones’s possible trigger listening to in East Boston District Court docket was pushed again from August till Friday, Step. 15. Authorized professional Michael McCann tweeted that Jones’ courtroom listening to being pushed again may sign {that a} plea deal is being hashed out.
However even when his authorized woes do clear up, it stays to be seen if Jones faces any further self-discipline from the NFL.
Is New England’s protection prepared for a harder slate?
For the entire query marks surrounding Mac Jones, Invoice O’Brien’s offense and the O-line, individuals haven’t fretted all that a lot over a longtime defensive unit that surrendered simply 20.4 factors per recreation in 2022.
However as Chris Gasper of The Boston Globe famous final month, New England’s spectacular numbers on the defensive facet of the ball took a pointy dive every time the Patriots confronted top-flight opponents.
Per Gasper:
In eight wins final season, the Patriots allowed only a 54.9 % completion share, six touchdowns vs. 11 interceptions, and a paltry 1,501 yards passing (187.6 per recreation) They yielded a 63.8 passer score and notched 32 sacks. The passing yards allowed per recreation would’ve ranked fifth within the league for a full season.
However these eight wins got here towards these sign callers: Zach Wilson (twice), Mitch Trubisky, Jacoby Brissett, Goff, Sam Ehlinger, Colt McCoy, and Teddy Bridgewater/Skylar Thompson.
New England’s 9 losses final season got here towards QBs in Tua Tagovailoa, Lamar Jackson, Aaron Rodgers, Justin Fields, Kirk Cousins, Josh Allen (twice), Derek Carr, and Joe Burrow.
This season’s slate of opposing QBs is much more daunting, with New England set to battle:
Jalen Hurts
Tua Tagovailoa (twice)
Aaron Rodgers (twice)
Josh Allen (twice)
Dak Prescott
Justin Herbert
Patrick Mahomes
Ooof.
New England’s protection is perhaps an space of energy on this roster. However they’ll should show it towards among the greatest QBs within the recreation.
The 2023 Patriots needs to be a lot better than their 2022 counterparts. However a frightening schedule could offset any of these good points made.
Can rookies execute on particular groups?
Matthew Slater, 37, may nonetheless be the elder statesman on the Patriots’ roster, however New England’s special-teams unit will flip to 2 rookies in some high-pressure, pivotal roles in 2023.
2023 sixth-round Bryce Baringer claimed the beginning punter spot after averaging 51.1 yards throughout 11 preseason punts, together with a 69-yard bomb towards the Titans on Aug. 25.
Very like Baringer, 2023 fourth-round kicker Chad Ryland holds a excessive ceiling because of his leg and talent as well the ball. However the case may have been made that veteran incumbent Nick People was extra constant, particularly inside the 40-yard-line.
Each Baringer and Ryland have loads of potential. However anticipate a couple of rookie miscues and rising pains alongside the best way.
Join Patriots updates![🏈](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/svg/1f3c8.svg)
Get breaking information and evaluation delivered to your inbox throughout soccer season.