PATRIOTIC HOG REPORT – STATE OF THE UNION AFTER MASSIVE WIN AGAINST LIONS!

29-0!! 29 AND SHUT THE DOOR THE ENTIRE GAME 0!! To be fair, Detroit has the worst defense in the entire NFL, so the offense should have had no issue even with backup Bailey Zappe. The young QB did his job, going 17/21 for 188 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT. Let’s give a big shoutout to the Patriots offensive line for going the whole game without giving up a sack. Nick Folk was locked in as he booted 5 field goals and Kyle Dugger’s scoop and score was the defensive touchdown this team needed to add to their turnover margin and put the exclamation mark on the game. 

Filling the James White Void

Rhomondre Stevenson has emerged as the premier back for the Patriots as he is the hot hand for Belichick’s mystical offense. Damien Harris has got to be chomping at the bit for more handoffs, but he knows he can trust the system and next week he could score 3 touchdowns. Stevenson though looks to be the guy for the next couple of years and hopefully Pierre Strong Jr can develop into the next James White, a role that the Patriots need.

Hunter Henry & Co

HUNTER HENRY was ACTIVATED for this game as he posted his best game of the year thus far with 54 yards on 4 catches. Unfortunately, Jonnu Smith suffered a serious ankle injury that will cause him to miss some time. We hope he can fully recover, and they get him activated before season’s end, as he is a dynamic tight end.

Jakobi Meyers was the go-to guy in the receiving corps this week as he caught 7 balls for 111 yards including 1 TD. I know it was just the lowly Lions, but Jakobi has a real elusiveness to his game that puts him in open space often. Otherwise Bourne, Agholor, and Thornton all combined for only 5 targets as they saw the Patriots rely on the ground game for the bulk of the offense.

Matthew Judon added to his highlight reel for the defense as he terrorized the Detroit offense the entire game. He posted 2 sacks with 1 TFL and was just an all-around menace to Jared Goff. I’ve said it once, I’ve said it twice, and I’ll keep saying it, but Kyle Dugger is a home run and will take over for Devin McCourty when his time is done. CAN’T KNOCK A DEFENSE THAT POSTS A GOOSE EGG! It was a great job as a unit, and don’t forget Jack Jones with back-to-back games with an interception. Seems like the combo of Jones-Jones at cornerback is paying off, they have been doing well not getting exploited after JC Jackson left in the off-season.

The Road Ahead: New England vs Cleveland

The Patriots will 100% have a tougher test this week as they travel to Cleveland who feature a solid offense with Amari Cooper, Nick Chubb, and Kareem Hunt. Mac Jones is expected to return for this game, unlike Deshaun Watson who is still suspended, so the Patriots do not have to worry about him and his antics. Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney are both expected to be healthy and active for the matchup which won’t benefit Mac Jones in his return.