4 ways the Patriots can leave Week 7 with a big win over the Jaguars

Drake Maye's first NFL start is in the rearview mirror, and he'll head overseas for his second as the Patriots head to London to battle the Jacksonville Jaguars. Maye's debut gave Patriots fans hope and optimism that hasn't existed in New England since Tom Brady's departure in 2020, and the 22-year-old will be looking to improve on that performance against a woeful Jacksonville team.

Maye will be front and center regarding what the Patriots need to accomplish in London to return across the Atlantic with a win.

New England is in the throes of a five-game losing streak, and this matchup against the 1-5 Jaguars represents a fabulous chance for the Patriots to get back on the winning track.

4 ways the Patriots can leave Wembley Stadium with a win over the Jaguars in Week 7

1. Let Drake Maye cook

As of Friday morning, when the Patriots released their final injury report, Rhamondre Stevenson, who did not play in last week's loss to Houston due to a foot injury, was listed with that same ailment and questionable to suit up on Sunday.

The good news, however, is that he was a full participant at practice, and his chances of playing are much higher than just 24 hours prior. But if Stevenson can't play, Maye needs to be unleashed.

The rookie threw for 243 yards and three touchdowns against a very strong Texans defense, and the Jaguars, who have given up an average of 400 yards per game, don't exactly draw comparisons to the 1985 Bears. Maye could have a field day against Jacksonville, so maybe Alex Van Pelt could take the training wheels off a bit.

2. Cut down on the penalties

When you're a 1-5 football team, committing foolish penalties is a surefire way to keep losing games. Jerod Mayo emphasized this during the week, indicating lineup changes are coming after the Patriots committed nine penalties in the loss to Houston.

The tone for that futility was set when the team committed a procedure penalty on the opening kickoff. Yuck. That cannot happen Sunday against a team the Patriots should beat.

3. The defense has to be better

C.J. Stroud is undoubtedly one of the game's best young quarterbacks, but New England's defense made him look like Roger Staubach last Sunday.

Trevor Lawrence has been mediocre at best for Jacksonville (1,334 yards passing, eight touchdowns, three interceptions), so New England's defense has to get the job done. Kyle Dugger's return in Week 6 helped the secondary, but the Patriots' pass rush needs to keep the heat on Lawrence.

4. Can the young receivers keep growing?

Maye is certainly trying to build rapport with his young weapons, particularly second-year receivers DeMario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte. The latter of whom hauled in Maye's first NFL touchdown pass against Houston.

Douglas has the speed to beat just about anyone in the open field, as we all witnessed on his 35-yard catch-and-run TD against the Texans.

Yes, Maye needs to utilize veteran tight ends Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper and pass-catching tailback Antonio Gibson, but the more Douglas and Boutte shift their games into the next gear, the better off Maye and the Patriots will be.

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