FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — One of many staples of Patriots coach Mike Vrabel’s weekly addresses to his gamers is to remind them about “the great, the dangerous and the stuff that will get you beat.”
Via three video games, each New England and Carolina have exhibited dangerous habits on offense which have contributed to 1-2 begins.
Whereas they’ve additionally proven flashes of robust offensive play, this week provides each groups an opportunity to determine an id on that facet of the ball.
New England by no means led in final week’s 21-14 loss to Pittsburgh. The Patriots turned the ball over 5 instances and scored on solely two of their 4 red-zone visits, together with two opportunities at the 2-yard line.
“Not beating ourselves. That’s the massive factor,” quarterback Drake Maye stated. “It’s one thing that you just attempt to overemphasize, and often whenever you overemphasize issues, you repair it.”
For the season, New England has scored touchdowns on simply six of 11 journeys contained in the 20-yard line. It’s one purpose the Patriots are tied for seventeenth within the NFL in scoring at 20 factors per sport.
“On the finish of the day it doesn’t imply something in case you don’t put factors on the board,” proper sort out Morgan Moses stated. “Shifting up the sector, that’s all good and dandy, however you need to go away with some kind of factors on the board. … We’ve received to be higher when it’s crunch time.”
Panthers quarterback Bryce Younger had 5 turnovers within the first 5 quarters this season. However he has no turnovers within the seven quarters since.
Different signs of progress? Carolina was outscored 36-13 within the first 5 quarters, however has outscored opponents 49-17 within the final seven.
“We’ve all the time had confidence. We all the time had a perception inside the constructing. We all know what we’re able to,” Younger stated. “It’s simply on us to execute.”
Considerations at receiver
The Panthers had been mild on huge receivers earlier this week as rookie Tetairoa McMillan sat out Wednesday’s follow with a sore calf. McMillan stated after follow the staff was being cautious and that he expects to play in opposition to the Patriots.
Xavier Legette missed last week’s game with tightness in his hamstring and was additionally a scratch for follow, whereas Hunter Renfrow skipped a day of labor to be current for the delivery of his daughter. The Panthers are already lacking Jalen Coker, who began the season on injured reserve and isn’t but eligible to return.
If McMillan and Legette, the staff’s beginning wideouts, are each out then, veteran David Moore and 2024 undrafted rookie Brycen Tremayne might see intensive motion alongside Renfrow within the slot.
In the meantime, beginning tight finish Ja’Tavion Sanders (ankle) is just not anticipated to play, leaving Tommy Tremble to fill that position.
Getting his kicks
Panthers rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald has mastered the artwork of squib kicks since coming into the league. He kicked off seven instances on Sunday and the Falcons repeatedly muffed the bouncing ball, leading to a mean beginning discipline place of the 19.
Atlanta twice began drives on the 10.
Fitzgerald wouldn’t give away any secrets and techniques on how he kicks the ball for aggressive causes, however stated it’s one thing he works on repeatedly.
“You don’t know what you’re going to get with it, so it’s only a hit and hope type of factor,” Fitzgerald stated.
He obtained a sport ball on Sunday for his kickoffs and three profitable field-goal makes an attempt. He has not missed this season.
Gonzalez debut?
The Patriots are hoping to get a defensive enhance with cornerback Christian Gonzalez possibly making his season debut after lacking the primary three video games with a hamstring harm.
Vrabel stated Gonzalez, who practiced final week for the primary time since injuring his hamstring early in coaching camp, was on monitor to ramp up his participation.
Gonzalez is eagerly anticipating his return.
“It’s what I do, I like soccer,” he stated. “It’s been onerous being out. It’s been onerous simply watching. However excited to get again at it this week.”
Changing Maye
Maye had dedicated to Alabama however backed out after studying the Crimson Tide had recruited Younger.
Maye modified course and adopted in his father Mark’s footsteps by going to North Carolina. It labored out for each QBs as Younger was the No. 1 choose in 2023, whereas Maye was the third general choice a 12 months later.
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