Up next for the Jacksonville Jaguars is a matchup with the defending AFC Champions, the New England Patriots.
Both teams will enter this contest 1-1 on the season and if the Jaguars are going to bounce back after letting last week's game slip away, they'll have to overcome these three challenges that the Patriots will present.
Patriots pass defense
The New England pass defense enters Week 3 allowing just 5.2 yards per pass attempt on the season -- the fourth-best mark in football. Leading the way for this secondary is Christian Gonzalez, who has allowed just five receptions on 14 targets this season and is surrendering just 4.8 yards per catch with three pass breakups. The margin for error for the Jaguars' passing game on Sunday will be very thin.
Patriots interior defenders
The one-two punch
that is Christian Barmore and Milton Williams has been one of the more disruptive interior pass rush duos through two games. Entering Week 3, the two have combined for nine quarterback pressures. The Jaguars' offensive line, meanwhile, is coming off a rocky performance in Denver. So far, the passing game's success has hinged on whether or not Trevor Lawrence has had time to throw.
Limiting explosive plays on defense
There was certainly good from the Jaguars' defense against Denver, however, that was often mitigated by the Broncos' ability to generate big plays through the air. Patriots QB Drake Maye will enter this week's game tied for ninth in pass attempts of 20-plus yards, with roughly one in every six passes being a downfield attempt on average. Maye will push the ball against the Jaguars' defense, but can Jacksonville get more stops this week?
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 3 challenges facing Jaguars in Week 3 game vs. Patriots
