The Patriots are 1-1. That's not a statement that should move the needle in September, but context matters here. After a rough opening week, Mike Vrabel's team found a way to win. Now comes the real test: can they string together consecutive victories against a Jaguars team sitting at identical 1-1 record? Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff at EverBank Stadium feels like a legitimate barometer for where this offense and defense actually stand.
Jacksonville isn't a pushover. They're hungry, just like New England is. This is a road game against a divisional opponent with playoff implications already baked in—even if nobody wants to admit it in Week 3. The Patriots need to prove last week's win wasn't a mirage. That means Joshua Dobbs has to manage the game without freelancing into mistakes. That means the defensive line—Dre'Mont Jones, Christian Barmore, and the rotation behind them—has to generate pressure without leaving holes in run defense. Vrabel didn't inherit a finished product. He inherited a roster that needs to win these exact games to stay relevant.
What's encouraging: depth at linebacker with Marte Mapu, Chad Muma, and Harold Landry III gives New England versatility in how they can attack Jacksonville's offense. The secondary is deep enough to keep opposing receivers honest. On offense, the committee approach in the backfield with Rhamondre Stevenson and the supporting cast should function against a Jacksonville defense that isn't elite. This is a winnable game. Maybe it needs to be.
You can catch the action on CBS and WBZ-TV Channel 4 locally, or stream it on Paramount+ if you're in the region. The Patriots head south looking to prove Week 2 wasn't luck. Build two wins and suddenly you're thinking differently about October. Drop this one? Then we're talking about real problems.