Week Three Game Preview: New England Patriots vs Jacksonville Jaguars
By Hal Bent
Sep 20, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Patriots beat the Bills 40-32. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Most New England Patriots fans saw the Jacksonville Jaguars on the schedule for week three of the 2015 NFL season and thought “automatic win” and moved on to the post-bye week games. However, as game day approaches there may be good reason to worry about the team coming into Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA on Sunday.
Winning on the road is difficult in the NFL, particularly while facing the defending Super Bowl champions; however, the Jaguars have been building their roster for the past two seasons with a specific and detailed plan in place. Last week the Jaguars did a favor for the Patriots and upset the AFC East€’s Miami Dolphins.
The Jacksonville Jaguars general manager David Caldwell has had the team on a slow growth plan since taking over after the 2012 season. Caldwell came from Atlanta where he was director of pro personnel for Bill Belichick protegee and Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff. He hired Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley as head coach and started rebuilding the entire roster and culture in Jacksonville.
New England is actually catching the Jaguars at a good time as Jacksonville has been missing some key pieces the first two weeks of the season. Multi-purpose threat Denard Robinson has a sprained MCL and big play tight end Julius Thomas has been out after injuring his finger and requiring surgery and will likely not play on Sunday.
Aug 14, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars tackle Luke Joeckel (76) blocks Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward (97) in the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game at EverBank Field. The Jacksonville Jaguars won 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports
Starting left tackle Luke Joeckel was injured in week one and is questionable after missing the Miami game and missed practice on Friday. Guard Brandon Linder has a shoulder injury and if he plays may be limited.
On defense, dynamic young defensive tackle Sen€’Derrick Marks has not played due to a knee injury. Marks has exploded as a penetrating, interior pass rushing presence in Bradley’s defense since being signed away from Tennessee. Cornerback Dwayne Gratz, a 13 game starter last year, is out with an ankle injury.
Hard-hitting strong safety John Cyprien–an integral part of the defense after being a second round draft pick in 2013–missed the Miami game with a calf injury and is a game time decision to play. Finally, back-up defensive end Andre Branch is out with a knee injury.
Next: INTRODUCTION TO THE JAGUARS DEFENSE