Week 4 Preview: New England Patriots

Matt Hylen
Sep 27
3 min read

Credit to NFL YouTube page via youtube.com

After a messy loss to the Steelers their last time out, the New England Patriots will look to bounce back in Week 4 as they take on the Carolina Panthers. Both teams will be heading into the contest with a 1-2 record; however, this feels like a must-win game for the Pats.

So, with that in mind, how does New England match up against this Panthers team? As of Saturday, they are -5.5 point favorites, but is that a generous line? After what happened last week, the line seems a little big to me, but that does not mean it is crazy. That being said, let's get into what Sunday will look like.

Injury Report

Patriots Guard Jared Wilson. Credit to Winslow Townson/Getty Images

Here is a look at the Patriots injury report heading into Sunday:

OUT

OG Jared Wilson (Ankle/Knee)

QUESTIONABLE

LB K'Lavon Chaisson (Knee)

CB Christian Gonzalez (Hamstring)

OG Mike Onwenu (Shoulder)

Christain Gonzalez is expected to make his season debut this week, while Mike Owenu is expected to play on sunday as well. Chaisson's ststus is still up in the air at this time.

As for the Pathers, this is what their injury report looks like:

OUT

LB Patrick Jones II (Hamstring)

WR Xavier Legette (Hamstring)

TE Ja'Tavion Sanders (Ankle)

D.J. Wonnum (Hip)

QUESTIONABLE

WR Tetairoa McMilan (Calf)

DE Tershawn Wharton (Hamstring)

Tetairoa McMilan is expected to play for Carolina on sunday, however no word has been released on Tershawn Wharton.

My 3 Keys to the Game

Patriots Running Back Rhamondre Stevenson. Credit to Sports Productions YouTube page via youtube.com

First and foremorst, if the Patriots want to avoid falling to 1-3 heading into Buffalo.... TAKE CARE OF THE FOOTBALL!! Five turnovers is simply inexcusable, and the reason why last week was even close in my eyes. New England looked like the better team on Sunday in terms of defense and ball movement. What they did not do is stay diciplined, costing them the game. My hope is that Head Coach MIke Vrabel did a few extra ball security drills this week, becuase that last performance was inexcusable. If they want to defeat Carolina, they cannot defeat themselves.

My second key to the game is that the Patriots need to build off of the defensive performance they put on last week and make it even better. With Christian Gonzalez back this week, it adds a massive boost to a secondary that has struggled to keep offenses in front of them. Last week was fantastic defensively in my eyes, and the only reason the Patriots did not get blown out. They were constantly on the back foot because of the turnovers, but rarely faltered. I think the Pats need to build off that "bend, don't break" defensive philosophy if they want to get to QB Bryce Young.

My final key to the game is TreVeyon Henderson. I need to see him more invloled in the run game. Yes, Vrabel has made it clear that he intends to use all three running bakcs in certain packages, but I need to see Henderson featured in more than the limited set of packages he is in currently. I mean they spent a early 2nd round pick on him, he is supposed to be a big part of this team. Cut him loose!

Who Wins?

Pathers QB Bryce Young (left_) and Patriots QB Drake Maye (right). Credit to RB Hayek via clutchpoints.com/

I think this game will be low scoring and incredibly defensive dominated. Both offenses have shown flahses of sturggle when it comes to moving the ball this season, leading me to beleive it will happen again on SUnday. Yes, both teams have lso had great flashes, but considering the fact that Carolina's pass defense is among the top in football and the Pats are getting their best player back, it seems to me the scoring will be low.

With that said, I think New England gets it done. Last week was embarrasing for the coahcing staff and the offense, so I fhave a feeling they will do what is needed to hone in on the mistakes they made. Gonzalez being back gives me much more condifence in the secondary, while Carolina has yet to show a true sign their offense is fuctional. This is a must-win game for the Patriots, which I beleive motivates them enough to get the victory on Sunday.

Final Score Prediction: Patriots Defeat Panthers 20-13