There are causes to be optimistic in regards to the New England Patriots getting into their season opener towards the Cincinnati Bengals.
Star huge receiver Ja’Marr Chase may not suit up for Cincinnati. The Patriots’ protection has top-15 potential. And the Bengals are prone towards the run.
However for those who’re questioning why the Bengals are 7.5-point favorites, look no additional than the trenches.
The Patriots’ offensive line was plagued by injuries and inconsistency all through coaching camp and the preseason, and that might carry over into Week 1, as Vederian Lowe advised to the Boston Sports activities Journal’s Mike Giardi he in all probability will not play Sunday as a consequence of an indirect damage he suffered about two weeks in the past.
https://twitter.com/MikeGiardi/standing/1831376400315773011/
Lowe was working as New England’s beginning left sort out prior to his injury, which compelled free-agent pickup Chukwuma Okorafor to maneuver from proper to left sort out and shifted Mike Onwenu to from proper guard to proper sort out.
In the meantime, Sidy Sow, who began at left guard within the Patriots’ preseason finale towards the Washington Commanders however not too long ago suffered an ankle damage, wasn’t in uniform to start Wednesday’s follow, per our Patriots Insider Phil Perry.
So, who’s left for the Patriots to roll out as their beginning offensive line on Sunday? Head coach Jerod Mayo famous Wednesday the workforce is “nonetheless going by way of” lineup potentialities however stated the beginning 5 might be “some type” of the group that began towards the Commanders.
Primarily based on that info, the Week 1 offensive line may look one thing like this:
- Left sort out: Chukwuma Okorafor
- Left guard: Nick Leverett (or Sidy Sow if wholesome)
- Middle: David Andrews
- Proper guard: Layden Robinson
- Proper sort out: Mike Onwenu
For these holding rating at residence, that is a left sort out taking part in out of place (Okorafor), a left guard who spent many of the preseason taking part in heart (Leverett) and a proper guard making his NFL debut (Robinson) on the beginning offensive line. Whereas Andrews and Onwenu are established veterans, the latter was a part of a unit that racked up a number of penalties and got Jacoby Brissett injured versus Washington.
This group would not encourage a lot confidence, and it is a part of the rationale why Brissett might be underneath heart towards Cincinnati as an alternative of rookie Drake Maye. If the Patriots wish to prioritize the long-term improvement of the No. 3 total decide within the 2024 NFL Draft, they want a extra confirmed offensive line blocking for him.
Kickoff for Patriots-Bengals is about for 1 p.m. ET in Cincinnati.
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