The Patriots probably don’t need to win on Sunday, but they sure as hell can’t afford to lay another egg as they host the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium.
It’s more of a must-improve game.
New England has fallen into a perpetual state of momentum swings, with back-to-back results only coming once over the last six weeks. How can they keep that trend going? It’ll start by making a few of these bold predictions come true, of course:
MAYE SPREADS THE WEALTH
The Patriots have piled a ton of responsibility on the shoulders of Drake Maye, with one recent example coming in their propensity for getting other rookies involved.
New England had designed targets ready for wide receivers Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, as well as tight end Jaheim Bell, over the last couple of weeks. It’ll continue as we move toward the final month of the season, with the implementation of reserve running backs Antonio Gibson and JaMycal Hasty continuing, as well.
Prediction: Maye completes a pass to double-digit receivers.
TOUGH TROTTIN’ FOR TAYLOR
New England seemingly can never figure out Colts running back Jonathan Taylor.
Taylor averages 120 rushing yards and a score per game in his career against New England, and you might expect that to continue given the way its rushing defense looked throughout the middle portion of the season, but things improved last week against the Miami Dolphins.
The Patriots only allowed triple-digit rushing yards once over the last three weeks, and with Christian Barmore back in the lineup and playing stoutly against the run, we expect that to continue.
Prediction: Taylor finishes with less than 50 rushing yards.
MAYO MAKES THE CALL
The Patriots haven’t done anything tricky this season, so it’s only a matter of time. Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo has been overly conservative thus far, but there should be opportunities to flip the script and steal a play or two.
Prediction: New England (successfully) runs a trick play.
ZERO TURNOVERS
Maye has been super, stupendous, tremendous and spectacular this season, but let’s talk about all those turnovers.
The Patriots have a minus-nine turnover differential since elevating their rookie into the starting role, with the majority of those coming in easily avoidable and/or make-or-break situations. If you take care of business throughout the game, you can avoid bad situations entirely.
Prediction: New England doesn’t turn it over.
