nfl
Patriots-Jaguars Week 3 Preview: Defense, Response and an Early AFC Test
New England will visit Jacksonville on Sunday with both clubs at 1-1, placing the spotlight on the Patriots’ defense and the Jaguars’ response after their Denver loss.
The New England Patriots will visit the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 27, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. EDT on CBS. Both teams will arrive at 1-1: New England will come off a 20-3 win over Pittsburgh, while Jacksonville will seek a response after a 20-13 loss at Denver. The Jaguars will wear their Prowler throwback uniforms, and the game will be played before 42,000 fans with EverBank Stadium’s upper deck closed amid its $1.4 billion renovation.
New England will bring a defense that has allowed an NFL-low 16 points through two games, including three points against the Steelers. The Patriots’ offense will be looking to build continuity around quarterback Drake Maye, who has thrown one touchdown pass and four interceptions, while Rhamondre Stevenson will need 37 rushing yards to pass Curtis Martin for fourth on the franchise’s career rushing list. Maye will be without receiver A.J. Brown for a second consecutive week; Brown is on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain.
Jacksonville will lean on quarterback Trevor Lawrence and a receiving group paced by Parker Washington. Lawrence threw for 189 yards with an interception and took two sacks in Denver, where the Jaguars managed three second-half points; coach Liam Coen said the entire operation will have to be accountable and “connect, reconnect.” Washington will enter after seven catches for 98 yards in Week 2, having topped 80 receiving yards in six straight contests and recorded a reception of at least 25 yards in eight consecutive games.
The pivotal line-of-scrimmage thread will pit Jacksonville’s protection against New England interior defenders Christian Barmore and Milton Williams. The Patriots have registered six sacks in two games, while Lawrence will face a unit that has allowed only 166 passing yards per game. Jacksonville linebacker Ventrell Miller will bring 16 tackles, two tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one sack through two weeks as the Jaguars attempt to contain Maye and tight end Hunter Henry.
The clubs will meet for the first time since Jacksonville’s 32-16 victory in London on Oct. 20, 2024, though New England holds a 12-3 edge in the overall series. Jacksonville will be seeking to even its home series against the Patriots at 3-3 after a 31-20 home win in 2018.