Pre Game Thread - Lions @ Pats

[JayNM]

I asked Dou Kyed who he thinks will be the starting QB this week against the Lions, he gave a good, detailed answer...see below:

@ASHLEY1992__: HI DOUG, WHO DO YOU THINK IS THE STARTING QB THIS WEEK FOR THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS?​

It’s still too early to wager a guess, though it appears Mac Jones is making a push to start after limited participation in practice Wednesday and Thursday. Jones didn’t appear to be moving great, and two weeks would be an early return from a high ankle sprain.

Jones at least has a better chance of playing Sunday than he did last week, according to a source. Jones didn’t practice at all last week and was ruled out Friday.

The Patriots also had to travel last week to play the Packers in Green Bay, whereas they’ll be home Sunday against the Detroit Lions. So, while last week there was no shot of Jones being a game-time decision if he wasn’t going to make the trip to Green Bay, New England could push the decision this week if they so choose.

With Brian Hoyer on injured reserve after suffering a concussion in Week 4, rookie Bailey Zappe would be next in line to start. New England also has Garrett Gilbert back on its practice squad.

He certainly could have a more difficult matchup in his first NFL start. The Lions have allowed 141 points in four games, and their defense ranks 26th in expected points added (EPA) per passing play against. The Patriots could also lean on their running game since the Lions’ defense is a distant 32nd in EPA per running play against. I do wonder if the Patriots would open up their offense and allow Zappe to test the Lions downfield if he starts, however. They have played it safe with rookies put in difficult situations in the past.

I know the Patriots had some optimism in what they saw from Zappe in Week 4 against Packers, but he’ll need to play calmer in the pocket, go through his reads and get the ball out quicker. His average release time was 3.21 seconds for the game. That ranks 36th out of 46 quarterbacks this season and 29th out of 36 quarterbacks in Week 4.

Zappe was 5-of-5 for 22 yards when he got rid of the ball in less than 2.5 seconds and 5-of-10 for 77 yards with a touchdown when he held the ball for 2.5 seconds or more.

If by some chance Jones can play and looks relatively like himself, I think we could see an offensive explosion from the Patriots. This is a great rebound opportunity for an offense that currently ranks 24th in EPA per play.

Am I the only one who doesn't want to see Mac Jones rushed?

After BBs press conference saying he can overrides medical evaluations (for concussions at least, and for the better), I really hoping no one does anything risky

Even if this willingness comes from Mac's camp, Id rather wait him to be closer to 100% than put him limping out there

 

[PatsFan2]

Am I the only one who doesn't want to see Mac Jones rushed?

After BBs press conference saying he can overrides medical evaluations (for concussions at least, and for the better), I really hoping no one does anything risky

Even if this willingness comes from Mac's camp, Id rather wait him to be closer to 100% than put him limping out there

I think they really want to Win this game to stay in AFC mix 1-4 will not be good. So I think Mac is #2 with a chance to play IF Zappe really struggles.

 

[JayNM]

I think they really want to Win this game to stay in AFC mix 1-4 will not be good. So I think Mac is #2 with a chance to play IF Zappe really struggles.

That is true

 

[ashley]

 

[ashley]

 

[captain stone]

Yeah that was me, but a friend of mine told me earlier this evening to watch what happens after he's tackled, he thinks a GB defender might've kicked his helmet while he was on the ground... I didn't re-play that down yet, I was watching the other game, but I'll do so tomorrow and see of there's anything there...

Transferring what I wrote in the Axel to IR thread:

"Watched the 3rd-down sack a few times now:

Don't know if Rham was supposed to chip the edge defender Gary, but he never touched him;

Don't know if Lose/Lose also thought that Rham was gonna chip him, but he sure acted as if he thought that was gonna happen;

The inside rusher (#97 Kenny Clark) definitely hooked L/L's left arm, but I still think that Gary was already making his way around him by then;

One of the problems with switching from LT to RT, especially if one hasn't done so during real games, is that the former LT ass-umes that his left arm will always be free to help give the final push-around...L/L obviously forgot that and didn't do enough to ensure that both hands were free;

Still don't think that the hit on Axel was IR-worthy... Heck I don't know if Any part of his helmet made forcible contact with Anything except the heel of Gary's cleat as he was walking away; and is that really what concussed him? Because he sure didn't appear concussed as he was walking toward the sideline and looking at the scoreboard for the replay... But if that's all it takes, then it's time to work longer for less pay, Axel, or I hope that you've invested well..."

 

[captain stone]

Ash you think Meyers go this Sunday?? It's hard to say based on Parker and Agholor's numbers that he was desperately missed but we have lost the two straight games with him out of the line-up. I think Meyers will really help a QB like Zappe knowing how he excels in the short stuff...

Meyers was missed on 3rd down, a Lot... Our conversion % without him on the field is poopoo.

 

[crawhammer]

I don't want Jones on the field until he's 100%. Firstly, he has an injury at risk of aggravating which would cause him to miss more time in the long run. Also, I don't think his 75% would be significantly better than Zappe's 100%. And finally, Detroit's defense sucks so we should blow their doors off anyway, especially with our running game. We could see Harris and Stevenson both eclipse 100 rushing yards in this one.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Am I the only one who doesn't want to see Mac Jones rushed?

After BBs press conference saying he can overrides medical evaluations (for concussions at least, and for the better), I really hoping no one does anything risky

Even if this willingness comes from Mac's camp, Id rather wait him to be closer to 100% than put him limping out there

The QB has to be Zappe this Sunday. There's no use rushing Mac Jones and risking re-injury. Not to mention our protection schemes for the OL look shaky at the moment. If Zappe loses he loses. He'll be the sacrificial lamb.



Might as well see what we've got with out 1st and 2nd string QB out.

 

[mike_usagisan]

Meyers was missed on 3rd down, a Lot... Our conversion % without him on the field is poopoo.

Agreed. Meyers is such a workhorse for us on those.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Agreed. Meyers is such a workhorse for us on those.

Why do I have a feeling Meyers won't be back next year if he has a decent season. BB being cheap with WRs and players in general? Naah, he wouldn't do it again, would he?

 

[italian pat patriot]

They are painting now Pat Patriot logo on the 50 on the field !

Wow...
This is awesome !

 

[Guts]

They are painting now Pat Patriot logo on the 50 on the field !

Wow...
This is awesome !

@Actual Pats Fan is probably in euphoria

 

[BradytoMosstoGronk]

Am I the only one who doesn't want to see Mac Jones rushed?

After BBs press conference saying he can overrides medical evaluations (for concussions at least, and for the better), I really hoping no one does anything risky

Even if this willingness comes from Mac's camp, Id rather wait him to be closer to 100% than put him limping out there

I'm not interested in seeing him out there this weekend. If he's still move this gingerly, he shouldn't be starting. He needs to heal, not be rushed out there with a near limp. Detroit isn't a good football team, they're beatable with a backup. Yes, they've scored a lot but they have a putrid defense. Zappe should be more than capable in this game to keep us competing.

Mac has played poorly this year, the last thing you need to do is put an ailing QB with a poor start to the year go and out get hurt further or have his confidence crapped on because he's playing hurt and struggles again.

For me, next week should be the earliest, and I'd be skeptical at that -- assuming this Injury is what they say it is (or reflected by his pain/needing to be carried at the end of the game).

 

[Guts]

Looks like Zappe getting the start

 

[gitgronked82]

Damn. Kinda dreading the fact that I’m really rooting for us to do well but if we do the “start zappe over mac” crowd is gonna get insufferable.

 

[Brotherblues]

Damn. Kinda dreading the fact that I’m really rooting for us to do well but if we do the “start zappe over mac” crowd is gonna get insufferable.

Only worried if BB joins that crowd. Which won't happen. Unless Zappe starts showing clear, unmistakable, and undeniable signs that he can be crazy good. Which wouldn't be a bad thing at all (but still won't happen... Probably).

 

[Patsfan1958]

From Patriots.com:

2022 REGULAR SEASON	NEW ENGLAND	DETROIT
Record	1-3	1-3
Divisional Standings	4th	4th
Total Yards Gained	1,365	1,747
Total Offense (Rank)	341.3 (18)	436.8 (1)
Rush Offense	128.5 (10)	164.0 (6)
Pass Offense	212.8 (22)	272.8 (5)
Points Per Game	18.5 (23T)	35.0 (1)
Total Touchdowns Scored	9	18
Total Yards Allowed	1,387	1,779
Total Defense (Rank)	346.8 (19)	44.8 (32)
Rush Defense	135.8 (26)	165.5 (30)
Pass Defense	211.0 (11)	279.3 (30)
Points Allowed/Game	24.5 (22)	35.3 (32)
Possession Avg.	29:41	29:20
Sacks Allowed/Yards Lost	9/71	5/41
Sacks Made/Yards	11/63	7/43
Penalties Against/Yards	20/161	23/188
Punts/Avg.	16/43.6	14/49.5
Takeaway/Giveaway Ratio	-3 (28T)	-1 (22T)

​

 

[Jim Beankie]

As bad as Mac has been on the INTs, he was actually doing well on 3rd downs.

Meyers has been out 2 of the 4 games, and he's still tied for 9th in 1st down catches on 3rd down (with people like Diggs and ACooper). The dropoff imho is not coincidental.

Pats' 3rd down efficiency:

MIA: 4-9
PIT: 9-17
BAL: 2-9
GB: 3-11 (wasn't expecting this to be great given the circumstances)

 

[PatsFan2]

Meyers has been out 2 of the 4 games, and he's still tied for 9th in 1st down catches on 3rd down (with people like Diggs and ACooper). The dropoff imho is not coincidental.

Pats' 3rd down efficiency:

MIA: 4-9
PIT: 9-17
BAL: 2-9
GB: 3-11 (wasn't expecting this to be great given the circumstances)

So the evidence shows they are definitely better with Meyers on Third Downs.