Five Patriots Things to Watch vs. Lions

The Patriots take on the Lions tonight in their third preseason game of the summer. While there are plenty of players to keep an eye on, it’s important not to get too worked up about what happens tonight (outside of major injuries). Because let’s face it, you’re more likely to hear a Patriots fan praise the work of Roger Goodell than you are to see the Patriots miss the playoffs this season.

Still, the stage is set for plenty of individual players to show what they’ve got and there are still expectations of what we’d like to see from the team before things get real.

Here are five things to watch tonight as the Pats can hopefully get through one final preseason game without a significant injury before turning the page to what is surely shaping up to be a scrubfest next week against the Giants.

1. Thou May Bendeth, But Thou Musn’t Breaketh — Yes, everyone hates the Bend Don’t Break defensive philosophy, which preaches taking away big plays and consistent tackling, but the fact is that it works. It’s not too much to expect some quality BDB tonight, because we certainly have seen it break down in the first two preseason games. Big plays, blown tackles…these things happen when the physicality is reduced in camp and the lower end of the depth chart is getting a look surrounded by “starters”. Of course the BDB depends on being good in the red zone, forcing field goals not allowing touchdowns, and requires everyone “doing their job”. It would be nice to see the defense all on the same page.
2. 1-v-1 Pass Rush — Another big tenet of the Belichick defense (especially in the preseason) is not bringing extra rushers to generate pass rush. The defense’s blitzing is conservative to begin with, and that’s even more true in the preseason. This puts a focus on the front four pass rushers winning their one-on-one matchups which is an area that is unproven on this Patriots defense. After Trey Flowers and Dont’a Hightower, who are the guys that opposing offenses are going to worry about blocking? Can Adam Butler beat a first string offensive linemen? Is Lawrence Guy going to be the consistent interior force I believe he will be? Can Kony Ealy get off the ball on third down? These are all legitimate questions that are critical to the Patriots defensive success this season and it will be easy to put individual players under the microscope tonight.
3. How Deep is Your Line — I believe the Pats will really limit Nate Solder tonight, if he plays at all. It seems like protecting Solder from injury is heavy on the mind of the coaching staff and for good reason — he’s just head and shoulders above any other potential option at left tackle, figuratively and literally. No injury hurt them more in 2015 than losing Solder. Now the question is whether Cam Fleming or LaAdrian Waddle can at least be a stop gap should Solder miss any time during the season. Fleming was fine starting at left tackle in last year’s opener. A solid performance with the top offense tonight would be reassuring.
4. Last Chance With the 1s — I remain skeptical that any new “weapons” can make the 53-man roster. They’re just too stacked, especially at wide receiver. It’s almost impossible to make a case for taking Mitchell, Hogan or Amendola off the field (much less Cooks and Edelman) to get Austin Carr or Jacob Hollister out there. Still, Carr and Hollister will likely get some significant snaps with Tom Brady tonight and who knows, if one of them shows special chemistry with 12, maybe it gives them an inside track on a practice squad spot, or a 53-man roster spot on another team. James O’Shaughnessy is very much in that mix as well and might the one guy who has a legit chance to make the team if he pops tonight.
5. Balance Brady-san — On offense it would be nice to see success across the board, whether it’s a spread offense, the power run game, or the (limited) special plays like screens, misdirections, etc. The Patriots seemed intent on bringing more balance and unpredictability to their offense this year and this is a good chance to see how it all fits together. It’s likely to be a heavy Dion Lewis/James White/Brandon Bolden game with Burkhead and Gillislee battling injury issues. An inability to consistently run the ball would be slightly concerning, especially in short yardage situations.

Again, all that truly matters tonight is that no one gets hurt. We can overreact to every mistake and miscue that comes in Detroit, but once it’s all hands on deck, with actual game planning and scheming, the Patriots will be fine. And those games start in less than two weeks.

Enjoy the last dress rehearsal for most of our favorite players!