The Patriots are looking for a response.
After a gut-wrenching loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3, the New England Patriots have an injury-depleted Carolina Panthers teams coming to Foxborough.
If the Patriots are serious about wanting to compete for a play-off spot this season, beating teams like the Panthers is a non-negotiable.
Here are my keys to the game.
Keeping Drake composed
I could write a dissertation on not turning the ball over, but for this week, I will try to focus on something else.
Maye has often looked like a much lesser passer when under pressure throughout his young career.
This season, his PFF passing grade through the three weeks of the 2025 season drops from 79.2 in a clean pocket to a 47.7 when under pressure.
This should, however, be a game for Maye to shine. Carolina have struggled to generate much pass rush in 2025.
They have only registered 36 pressures – 30th in the NFL – and a single sack – 32nd in the NFL.
If the Patriots offensive line, which PFF has graded as the league’s seventh-best pass blocking unit, can keep Maye clean against a very pedestrian Carolina pass rush, this could be the key to a big game from the sophomore signal caller.
Bryce for impact
Bryce Young is a fascinating study. He is coming off a 30-0 win over a division rival.
However, that win was far from his doing. Young put up 121 passing yards with no passing touchdowns and no interceptions, adding a four-yard touchdown scramble.
Young and the Panthers offense offered very little in the way of explosive plays, and only amassed 224 yards, averaging 4.1 yards per play.
This is indicative of an offense that is devoid of talent, has a shorter quarterback and is very injured.
The Panthers spam the middle of the field and get the ball out quickly. That is their M.O.
Young excels at processing quickly and getting the ball in the hands of his playmakers fast.
His ability to do this at Alabama is what made him the number one overall pick in 2023.
The gaping flaw in this plan is that Carolina have not managed to surround Young with the playmakers he needs to be successful with this style of play.
This is exacerbated by Jalen Coker being on IR, as well as Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette, Ja’Tavion Sanders and Chuba Hubbard all appearing on the injury report this week.
Given all that, if the Patriots defense cannot hold this offense in check, I will be concerned.
28-13, Patriots.
