Welcome to Big Cat Country’s staff roundtable!
Today, we’re previewing Week 3’s matchup between the Jacksonville Jaguars and New England Patriots at EverBank Stadium.
Question 1: Which Patriots player could further expose the flaws Jacksonville showed in its Week 2 loss at Denver?
Dillon Appleman: Patriots DL Christian Barmore can create a similar interior nuisance that Zach Allen did in Week 2. He can win inside quickly and disrupt the timing of any play, so the team needs a concerted game plan to
prevent Barmore from doing what Allen did a week ago: making life absolute hell for the guards. I’m hoping to see more boots and sprint outs for Trevor in Week 3 to mitigate that budding problem.
Travis Holmes: Last week’s core problem began with the interior offensive line, with left guard Emmanuel Pregnon and right guard Ezra Cleveland both struggling to handle Broncos defensive tackle Zach Allen. This week’s matchup doesn’t get much easier for those two, with Christian Barmore and Milton Williams on deck. While most may key in on Pregnon vs. Barmore, I’ll be focused on Cleveland vs. Williams, who had three sacks in the Patriots’ three playoff games last year. However, both Jacksonville guards will likely hold the key to how successful this team will be passing the ball on Sunday.
Gus Logue: Without A.J. Brown available, the Jaguars won’t have an alpha receiver to worry about, but one of their other kryptonies will still be in play: a mobile quarterback in Drake Maye. Jacksonville is generally stout against QB runs but they can sometimes allow a back-breaker in critical situations. As much as the Jaguars will want to apply pressure to Maye, they’ll have to be sure to contain him in the pocket, as well.
Henry Zimmer: I’m not exactly sure this Patriots roster is one to be super feared at current, but probably someone along the defensive front, maybe Christian Elliss, could give the Jags some trouble on Sunday. The interior defensive line did not play well at Denver, so I would venture to guess New England would want to keep the pressure up.
Question 2: Which Jaguars player needs to start stacking good performances immediately?
Dillon: I’m not sure any skill player in the league needs to stack good performances more than Brian Thomas Jr. Last season, BTJ drew heavy scrutiny for his persistent drops, and that problem reared its ugly head again last Sunday. He dropped a couple of routine balls and missed chances to make game-changing plays for Jacksonville. If he can’t start making the routine plays look routine — and occasionally bring in a tough, contested catch — his usage in this offense could plummet, and he could even become a trade candidate before the deadline because there is a certain former Heisman winner who would probably love to eat into his targets going forward.
Travis: A clear answer for me is wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. The leading thought throughout Jacksonville this offseason was that 2026 would be a rebound season for BTJ following his promising offseason play. However, just two games into the regular season, we’re back to renewed questions about his future on this Jaguars team. Following a 2025 season that featured Thomas being near the top of the league in wide receiver drops before the team’s bye week, already having two drops on only 11 2026 targets is understandably alarming.
Gus: If you think Dillon and Travis are on the same wavelength now, just wait until their score predictions. Anyway. I’ll go with Bhayshul Tuten, because him taking a step forward as a playmaker would be massive for the rushing game. Liam Coen needs to find a way to lean on him so that defenses don’t just key in on Trevor Lawrence and the passing game. So far this season, Tuten ranks third among all NFL running backs in missed tackles forced (11) and PFF grade (85.2).
Henry: I want to see a big performance out of Josh Hines-Allen. It’s no secret that he and Travon Walker get the best matchups along opposing offensive lines, double teams and chips but a sack or two would put a great feeling within not just the team but the fanbase. Will Campbell and Morgan Moses should be solid matchups for the Jags.
Question 3: What’s a matchup you’re looking forward to watching on Sunday?
Dillon: Drake Maye vs. Travis Hunter. Jaguars fans are desperate at this point to witness a splash play from Travis Hunter, and Sunday could be the perfect opportunity. Maye has already thrown four interceptions this season, and the Jaguars’ secondary should have a real advantage on paper. Let’s just hope the coaching staff makes Hunter a primary piece of the game plan so he gets a fair chance to make an impact on defense.
Travis: With New England’s propensity for man coverage (48% of snaps in Week 2), the matchup I’m most intrigued by is the Jaguars’ running backs in the passing game against the Patriots’ linebackers. With the potential that Dre’Mont Jones and Quintayvious Hutchins both may not play, similar to Jacksonville’s 2025 matchup against the New York Jets, this could shape up to be a game that consistently highlights one specific defensive vulnerability. For me, that vulnerability is running the passing game through the backfield, tight ends, and middle of the field this week.
Gus: I’m eager to see the Jaguars’ pass rush go after Patriots right guard Greg Van Roten. He’s replacing Mike Owenu, who fractured his ankle in Week 2. Van Roten, who was a Jaguar for a short stint in 2017, played 40 snaps last week and finished with a 25.9 PFF grade. It’s a great opportunity for Arik Armstead to accumulate some stats, but I’m also hoping to see Anthony Campanile attack with Travon Walker stunts and Ventrell Miller blitzes.
Henry: Let’s stick right with Hines-Allen and see if he can’t win his matchups on the outside. Drake Maye has taken six sacks already and thrown four picks. This offensive line is below average at best, which has caused early issues for the Patriots. Coupled with some offensive injuries at the skill position, pressure (aka sacks) from Hines-Allen could see Jacksonville through to a fairly simple victory.
Final score prediction?
Dillon: Jaguars 24, Patriots 20
Travis: Jaguars 24, Patriots 20
Gus: Jaguars 17, Patriots 13
Henry: Jaguars 24, Patriots 17
What are your Week 3 predictions, Jaguars fans? Let us know in the comments!
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