Good morning. Here are your Patriots news and notes for October 6. The Patriots offense has been struggling… as we all have seen. They’re averaging only 13 points per game. But surprisingly, Miami’s high-powered offense is averaging just 11 points per game.
Today promises to be a defensive struggle, and a spot where the Patriots’ running game could be a big factor if they get it going. Jerod Mayo hinted that Rhamondre Stevenson may not start the game due to his fumbling issues. Antonio Gibson may get the start and see more reps in this game.
Miami QB Tyler Huntley has been learning on the job since the Dolphins plucked him off the Ravens’ practice squad. Miami coach Mike McDaniel has praised him with how fast he’s picked up the intricate Dolphins play book.
Quick Hitters For the Patriots and NFL News:
No Mutiny: The Patriots.com podcast host Evan Lazar was called out for a comment he made during his Catch-22 podcast that he does with Alex Barth.
The two were discussing the state of the team when, Lazar said, “They’re teetering on a mutiny in that locker room.
“I was in that locker room on Sunday, the defense is mad at the defense, the offense is mad at the offense.
“You have young receivers who are throwing tantrums … at what point in time do some of these guys say to themselves, ‘Why am I out there getting my butt kicked and Drake can’t? Why am I going out there with a quarterback that can’t get me the football when we have a Ferrari back in the garage?”
Later on Thursday, Lazar walked backed the comment, stating that is was just the emotion of the moment talking as he and Barth sometimes get a bit heated with their comments.
“You know Barth pretty well as well as I do,” Lazar stated to 98.5’s Joe Murray. “Him and I can get into some pretty heated debates and arguments over things even off the air sometimes as we tend to do. I’ll fully admit that I got a little carried away on the podcast.
“I’m sure you’ve been there, Joe, yourself just in the heat of the moment. The word I used — mutiny — there’s no mutiny in the Patriots locker room. Like I said, I got carried away and that was my bad. That’s not what was going on.”
The Patriots, however, did remove the podcast from the team’s website but it remains on their YouTube page. Lazar is an outstanding analyst and we’ve all had those moments where we blurt something out and immediately wish we could take it back.
Patriots’ Injury List: After David Andrews and Caedan Wallace were placed on IR, the team still has a dozen players questionable for the tilt with Miami today.
S Kyle Dugger, Ankle (DNP)
WR Kendrick Bourne, Knee (LP)
LB Anfernee Jennings, Shoulder (LP)
CB Jonathan Jones, Shoulder (LP)
CB Marcus Jones, Groin (LP)
G Michael Jordan, Ankle (LP)
C Nick Leverett, Ankle (LP)
T Vederian Lowe, Knee (LP)
S Marte Mapu, Calf (LP)
WR K.J. Osborn, Shoulder (DNP)
S Jabrill Peppers, Shoulder (LP)
G Layden Robinson, Ankle / Wrist (LP)
Linebacker Sione Takitaki who had surgery in the offseason and hasn’t played yet this season, was listed as doubtful.
Hunter Henry: The Patriots placed long-time veteran and team captain David Andrews on IR this week. In a corresponding move, the team promoted Henry as a team captain. Henry has been consistent in his production since joining the Patriots in 2021.
In Week 2 against the Seahawks, Henry posted up the most productive day of his career, catching eight passes for 109 yards. Head coach Jerod Mayo had this to say about promoting Henry to captain, something he was asked about by the media earlier this week.
“Hunter’s done a tremendous job since he’s been here, both on the field and off the field,” said Mayo. “The quarterbacks have a lot of trust in him and the players offensively, defensively, and on special teams look up to a guy like that who’s played a lot of ball in this league.”
Marte Mapu: The second-year S/LB is itching to get back on the field. He was injured on Day 2 of training camp and hasn’t been seen until this week, when he returned from IR and practiced with the team.
On Friday, he spoke about the frustration of having to watch camp and then the first month of the season from the sideline.”I’ve been here around the whole time and I see them every day, so that hasn’t changed,” Mapu said.
“I just can’t be at practice or games and stuff like that. That’s probably the biggest thing that sucks, is like, not being able to feel like I can be involved or even help on the sidelines during training camp.”
With the injury to Kyle Dugger, having Mapu back in the lineup would be a nice thing to see.
Patriots 4th & 2 Podcast: This week, Derek Havens and I wrapped up the 49ers game, broke down the matchup with the Dolphins, and gave our predictions for the game and some other games. Please check it out.
Russ Francis/Chuck Fairbanks: The former Patriot tight end and head coach should be in the Patriots team Hall of Fame, and the fact that Francis isn’t in is an absolute travesty. Francis and the Raiders’ Dave Casper changed how teams used the tight end position. This will be discussed in our Sunday posts until it happens. Casper is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Francis’ numbers stand up well against Casper’s, yet he isn’t even in the team’s HOF.
Area 51 News: Patriots Players To Watch Against Miami —
The Patriots face a big test today against a similarly beat up Dolphins team. Tua Tagovailoa is out with another concussion and Miami’s offense has struggled to score since his injury.
After two weeks of being awful after the first two weeks where they were very competitive, this is big contest to see if they can be the team that played so well against Cincinnati and Seattle.
A win would improve them to 2-3 and definitely improve their outlook, as their difficult schedule gets a little less tougher in the next couple of weeks.
Here are our Patriots Players to Watch this afternoon if the Patriots are to win today.
Vederian Lowe: The Patriots’ offensive line resembles a MASH unit with seemingly more players injured than healthy. Lowe was the designated starter coming out of training camp but he missed games 3-4, but is now questionable to play as he was still a limited participant in practice.
With Miami’s Jaelan Phillips injured and lost for the season, he’ll face Miami’s Emanuel Ogbah or Chop Robinson on the edge, if he plays, which will probably happen, barring a last minute setback.
Nick Leverett: The Patriots’ backup center and guard is taking over for David Andrews, who was placed on IR this week. Leverett took over for Andrews and played well in San Francisco. But his challenge this week is a tough one facing Calais Campbell.
Leverett is an established veteran player and knows replacing Andrews is a tall task. But the team needs him to help in the running game and hold up in pass protection, which has been a huge issue.
Antonio Gibson: With the fumbling issues with Rhamondre Stevenson, Jerod Mayo openly said, the team is considering cutting his workload. Gibson has been a very good addition to the team.
In fact, Gibson has the two biggest plays of the offense this season, a 45-yard run against the Seahawks and a 50-yard pass reception against the 49ers. Sprinkling in a little JaMycal Hasty as a change of pace back may also be in the cards against Miami. But they need to get Stevenson’s fumbling issues fixed.
Bryce Barringer: In what looks to be a defensive struggle (on paper) with Miami, one weapon that the Patriots can utilize this week is their second-year punter, who has been outstanding this season.
Barringer leads the NFL with 13 punts inside the 20-yard line and is on pace to shatter the record of 51 set by the Rams Johnny Hekker in 2016. Barringer is on pace for 55. With Miami’s offense struggling, pinning them deep is a good way to start this week. Barringer has had at least one 50-yard+ punt in 21 straight games, which also leads the NFL.
Parting Shots:
The Jets and Vikings have a 9:30 am start in London this morning and it should be an intriguing game to watch. After running roughshod over the Patriots in Week 3, the Jets could only manage three field goals agains the Denver Broncos in the Meadowlands.
Going against the 4-0 Vikings, quarterback Aaron Rodgers is putting a lot on his own shoulders.
“We’ve been up and down,” he said.. “We came off a good Thursday night game where we were efficient in all areas and then just didn’t play well at home. So we’re still trying to to find a way to get the ball in space to our guys, get our best 11 on the field. And it starts with me. I’ve got to be efficient and deal the ball when necessary, hold onto the ball when necessary, and make sure we’re good on first and second down this week.”
One thing that must improve against Minnesota is the pass protection. Rodgers was sacked five times and hit 10 times in the loss to Denver.
The Buffalo Bills have a big game against the Houston Texans today and want to rebound from a disappointing 35-10 loss last week in Baltimore. Although the Bills are only 20th in yards gained this year, they’ve been very efficient, and are second in points scored, averaging 24.3 points per game.
Josh Allen is off to a fantastic start of the season but is facing a very stingy Texans defense today. The Bills will be without edge rusher Von Miller for four games as he was suspended for four games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
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Week 5 Predictions:
Thursday Night Football:
Atlanta over Tampa Bay 1-0
Sunday, October 6:
Minnesota over NYJ – London 9:30 am start
Chicago over Carolina
Baltimore over Cincinnati
New England over Miami
Washington over Cleveland
Jacksonville over Indianapolis
Buffalo over Houston
Denver over Las Vegas
San Francisco over Arizona
Green Bay over LAR
Seattle over NYG
Sunday Night Football:
Dallas over Pittsburgh
Monday Night Football:
Kansas City over New Orleans
Bye Week: Philadelphia, Detroit, LA Chargers, Tennessee
Last week: 12—4
2024 Season 42—22
2023 Season 178—94
2022 Season: 178—92—2
2021 Season: 183—88—1
2020 Season: 169—86—1
2019 Season: 162—93—1
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“It’s always frustrating when you’re not winning. The guys put a lot of work in, and everyone wants to try to find a solution right now while we’re going through this transition. People are definitely frustrated, and that’s a normal human response. I feel pretty good about the way that we’re going. I used an analogy this morning. It’s almost like flying through the clouds, but you have to use the instruments until you get to clear skies. When I took this job, I knew the lumps would come. It’s part of the transition.”
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo after he was asked about whether the team was frustrated after the struggles through the first quarter of the season.
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“Talent sets the floor; Character sets the ceiling.” Bill Belichick
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A former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)
