This weekend’s matchup pits one of the league’s worst teams against one of the best, with New England hoping to emulate their 13-point win over Justin Fields and the Jets last month. That contest was a one-score
game into the fourth quarter, but the Jets have been less competitive since then, while New England has gone from strength to strength despite losing to Buffalo a few weeks ago.
Let’s break down the Patriots’ roster going position by position:
Quarterbacks
Drake Maye is arguably looking less likely to win the MVP than he was when these teams last met, but that has more to do with Matthew Stafford separating from the pack than any downturn in his own play.
In fact, he’s coming off a game where he finally cracked the 300 passing yards barrier with a 380-yard effort against Baltimore. Maye also currently leads the league in yards per attempt and completion percentage.
Joshua Dobbs remains as the number two with Tommy DeVito being the third quarterback.
Offensive Line
The main change on the offensive line since these teams last met is that rookie left tackle Will Campbell is now on injured reserve. Vederian Lowe has had plenty of experience at that position over the past few years and he’s probably not much of a downgrade from Campbell, who leads the team in sacks allowed and penalties.
The rest of the line has remained healthy, although right tackle Morgan Moses missed some time on Sunday with Thayer Munford, who is usually a jumbo package option, filling in for him.
Third round rookie Jared Wilson is also hurt and has been ruled out for Sunday but he’s been the weak link on the line anyway. Ben Brown filled in for him at left guard when he missed a few games earlier in the season and will probably do so again on Sunday.
Veterans Mike Onwenu and Garrett Bradbury hold down the right guard and center positions respectively. Bradbury hasn’t given up a sack all season.
Also on the bench are backup center Brendan Jaimes, seventh round rookie tackle Marcus Bryant and backup guard Caedan Wallace. Bryant has seen some action in jumbo packages too.
Running Backs
Second round rookie TreVeyon Henderson had been carrying the load for the Patriots, as he has almost 800 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the season, including a 148-yard, two touchdown performance in the recent loss to the Bills.
However, on Sunday, former starter Rhamondre Stevenson got more of the work with Henderson held to just three yards on five carries before suffering a concussion. Henderson has been listed as questionable for Sunday.
With Antonio Gibson and Terrell Jennings now both on injured reserve, D’Ernest Johnson is the current number three.
Jack Westover is the fullback, although the Patriots have also taken to employing defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga in the backfield. Tonga is out of Sunday’s game, though.
Pass catchers
Stefon Diggs has continued to be a tremendous pickup for the Patriots, as he has a catch rate of around 80 percent and leads the entire NFL in contested catch percentage. Diggs needs 131 yards to reach 1,000 on the season.
Tight end Hunter Henry and wideout Kayshon Boutte have been Maye’s best red zone options, though, with six touchdowns each.
The Pats are banged up at wide receiver this weekend, though, with Boutte having been ruled out on Friday. Mack Hollins, who had seven catches against the Ravens, has also been ruled out and Pop Douglas has been listed as questionable.
Third round rookie Kyle Williams is starting to emerge as a big play threat and could be relied upon to step up on Sunday. Although he only has seven catches, three of them were touchdowns and he’s averaging 27 yards per reception.
Veteran tight end Austin Hooper provides depth off the bench and might play a bigger role with the injuries at wide receiver.
Undrafted rookies CJ Dippre and Efton Chism are also on the roster to provide depth at tight end and wideout respectively.
Defensive Line
New England signed Milton Williams to a big free agency deal but have been without him for the past month after he went onto injured reserve. Despite returning to practice, it has been confirmed that he will not be ready to return on Sunday.
Without Williams, the Patriots have rotated Tonga, Christian Barmore, Corey Durden and Joshua Farmer on the interior line, with all of them in the starting lineup against the Ravens as New England opened up in a three-DB look. Undrafted rookie Eric Gregory has also been getting rotational reps.
As noted, Tonga has been ruled out.
Linebackers
Robert Spillane usually anchors the linebacker unit in a full-time role and he has produced well with 97 tackles, five pass breakups and two interceptions. However, he missed the Ravens game and Jack Gibbens handled those duties instead. That will likely be the case again on Sunday, as Spillane has been once again ruled out.
Christian Elliss is the other starter inside, although Jahlani Tavai was also in the rotation on Sunday. Marte Mapu provides depth off the bench with Chad Muma also having recently been signed to the 53.
On the outside, K’Lavon Chaisson was leading the team in sacks but he’s gone five games without one so Harold Landry, who now has 8.5, has overtaken him. Landry is another player who has been confirmed as out on Sunday, though.
Anfernee Jennings and undrafted rookie Elijah Ponder are the main backups on the edge with fifth round pick Bradyn Swinson just having been added to the roster.
Defensive Backs
New England is strong at the cornerback position with Christian Gonzalez heading to the pro bowl having established a formidable partnership with offseason signing Carlton Davis. The slot corner, Marcus Jones, has been productive too, as the trio have 30 pass breakups between them. Jones leads the team with three interceptions, including a pick-six, but has also been beaten for seven touchdowns.
Charles Woods and Miles Battle are available in reserve but the only backup cornerback to see any real time this year, Alex Austin, is now on injured reserve.
At safety, fourth round rookie Craig Woodson and Jaylinn Hawkins remain as the starters after Kyle Dugger was traded at midseason. Dell Pettus sometimes sees action in reserve but Brenden Schooler is primarily a special teamer. Mapu can play here in an emergency.
Special Teams
New England’s punter is Bryce Baringer, who is still having a disappointing year with his net average below 40 yards per punt.
Sixth round rookie Andres Borregales hasn’t made a kick from beyond 53 yards all season but he only has five total misses and has one game-winner.
On returns, Gibson had a kickoff for a touchdown before he went onto injured reserve and Jones returned a punt for a score. Jones has remained in that role but Williams is now the kickoff returner.
Despite giving up a return touchdown earlier this year, New England is usually reliable at covering kicks. Elliss leads the team in special teams tackles, just ahead of Schooler who is their best gunner and a kick block threat. Ponder and Mapu have also been productive.
