The New England Patriots are bringing back the throwback uniforms for the last time this season, and it is fitting considering the team has played like the pre-Bill Belichick and Tom Brady Patriots this season.
The Los Angeles Chargers defense has not been good, but quarterback Justin Herbert and the offense can put up 30-plus points in their sleep to win a game, if needed.
However, the Patriots can hardly sniff 14 points per game.
If the Patriots wish to pull off an upset—and yes, even though they’ll be in those sweet throwbacks at home, they’re still underdogs against a 4-7 Chargers team—they’ll need to do these three things:
Contain Austin Ekeler
Austin Ekeler is this week’s x-factor player for the Chargers.
He’s a true dual-threat running back that is second to only Christian McCaffery in the NFL in terms of prowess as a pass catcher, runner, and overall playmaker.
Last week, the Patriots stopped New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, but it wasn’t enough. This week, Ekeler poses a unique challenge that might be impossible for the Patriots to stop.
Ekeler will give them trouble in all facets of the offensive game, and if the Patriots can find an answer for him this week, they’ll have a shot at upsetting the Chargers.
Turnover-free football
I am once again asking for turnover-free football. For the sake of our sanity, the Patriots need to play turnover-free football this week. But in terms of a key to the game, turnover-free football is a recipe for success, especially against a team putting up 24.5 points per game.
There is no need to spot the Chargers any free possessions or this game could get out of hand real quick. The Chargers’ secondary clearly needs some work in the offseason, but Derwin James is a menace that should give Bailey Zappe some nightmares if he tries to force anything.
Zappe might have some struggles against an electrified Chargers team in desperate need of a win.
Take what the defense gives you and hope for the best
Now, with the injuries to the Chargers on defense to Joey Bosa and others, the Patriots will need to do their best to take what the defense gives them against a team allowing 23.5 points per game.
However, the Patriots lack any real firepower to make it happen, and their best healthy receiver, Demario Douglas, was ruled out this week, along with Kayshon Boutte.
That means Zappe will be making throws to DeVante Parker, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton and Jalen Reagor. There is a possibility Malik Cunningham gets brought up from the practice squad this week, but the Patriots need to focus on what’s in front of them.
Take the plays the defense gives you, keep it simple and see if you can make some plays on defense to squeeze out a win.
