The New England Patriots have endured an up-and-down start to the 2025 NFL season. After a crushing loss at home to kick off the year against the Las Vegas Raiders, they rebounded with a tough road win against the Miami Dolphins.
Week 3 saw another brutal defeat at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers, but it felt more like the Patriots beat themselves in this game. New England turned the ball over five times in the contest, and almost no NFL team can overcome that.
But one of the Patriots' biggest issues this season has been their secondary. Between the sudden release of Jabrill Peppers, the trade speculation around Kyle Dugger, Christian Gonzalez missing time due to injury and Carlton Davis III largely underperforming, it has been a whirlwind in New England.
Patriots' secondary should have a get-right game against Panthers
Thankfully, almost every report indicates that while Gonzales was close to returning in Week 3 against the Steelers, he is now fully on track to play this Sunday against the Carolina Panthers in Week 4.
While that is already a major boost to the New England secondary, the Patriots got another big break on Friday afternoon. The Athletic's Joe Person reported that the Panthers have a smattering of injuries plaguing their skill-position groups.
Starting wide receiver Xavier Legette and tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders are both out for Week 4, and both wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan and running back Chuba Hubbard are questionable for the contest.
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With two players out and another two at least hobbled, life should be easier for the Patriots' defensive backfield. Plus, getting their ace back in Gonzalez would have made things run smoother, no matter who they were up against.
But this is a Panthers offense that has been a bit up-and-down as well anyway. They scored just 10 points in the season opener before scoring 22 in Week 2, both in losses. Then, they rebounded with a big 30-0 win last week, and 23 of those points came from the offense.
Regardless, Mike Vrabel will have his team prepared to face any combination of Panthers pass-catchers and running backs. Still, facing more of a skeleton crew is advantageous for a Patriots secondary that is destined for big things but has sputttered out of the gates this year.