New England Patriots: Five Players To Watch Against Oakland Raiders
By Cyrus Geller
Sep 14, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones (95) returns a blocked field goal for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
3. Chandler Jones
After Jones’ monster performance last week, I am really looking forward to what he has in store for us in week three. Not only that, I am looking forward to how the Raiders choose to neutralize the third-year man out of Syracuse.
Will they give him the superstar treatment, and constantly double him? Will they send a running back, or tight end to chip him on their way into a route? I think there is a good chance they do this, especially with rookie quarterback Derek Carr starting. Rookies struggle mightily with pressure, and if you can get pressure on them with only four rushers, you might as well call it a game, particularly with the Patriots’ lock-down secondary patrolling the back.
Jones is far and away the Patriots’ best pass rusher, so keep an eye on him through this weekend’s game, to see how much of an impact he has on this contest.