Patriots-Jaguars Predictions
BOSTON (CBS) - The 98.5 The Sports Hub, WBZ-TV and WBZ NewsRadio 1030 Sports teams make their predictions for the Patriots matchup with the Jaguars in Jacksonville.
Scott Zolak, 98.5 The Sports Hub
First of all, there isn't too many nice things to say about Jacksonville.
They have some guys on offense they can spread the ball around to, and Chad Henne -- who kind of gave you problems last year in Week 1 with the Dolphins.
But this is a get-through game; this is one where you lick your wounds from last week. The offense is going to be who they are, they are going to continue to score. But I guarantee these next two games will be for stressing ball security and cleaning up special teams. Special teams is an issue; they have to be better at kick coverage and better at kick returns, so I'll be watching more from that aspect than the offense or the defense.
Patriots 31, Jacksonville 10
Andy Gresh, 98.5 The Sports Hub
The Jags suck. The Patriots will roll. Take the side and the over for the Patriots to crush.
Patriots 42, Jaguars 10
Walt Perkins, WBZ NewsRadio 1030
Nothing like facing a 2-12 team to cure what ails you. Yes, the Patriots are all saying the same thing; forget the record, they play hard, every one of them, blah, blah, blah.
I'm sure that is true...
...until they get behind by 40, which will be the case Sunday in Jacksonville. The Patriots are going into a game with an attitude they have not experienced in quite some time, as they will take the field in a second half game following a loss.
There is also a good chance they will take the field with Tight End Rob Gronkowski in uniform and ready to play. His broken forearm may not be completely healed but apparently it has healed enough with him practicing throughout the week.
Patriots 52, Jaguars 17
Dan Roche, WBZ-TV Sports
The Patriots are coming off a game where they pulled off a miracle rally, but ended up losing to the 49ers. The game may have cost the Pats a first-round playoff bye as they'll now need some help.
That disappointment, plus the fact that there are only two regular season games left in the regular season, should give the Pats plenty of motivation for Sunday's game in Jacksonville against the 2-12 Jaguars.
The Jags offense received a boost when Chad Henne took over at QB for Blaine Gabbert. Cecil Shorts has emerged as a solid wide receiver while Justin Blackmon is also becoming a threat. Tight end Mercedes Lewis is solid as well, but the Jags don't really have that great running attack -- with or without Maurice Jones Drew.
Expect the Patriots to play the pass mostly on defense while letting Jones-Wilfork-Ninkovich and company apply pressure.
Offensively, look or Tom Brady and the offense to have a big day. They have been unstoppable the whole year, and the Jags defense is among the worst in the NFL.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Patriots 45, Jaguars 17
Levan Reid, WBZ-TV Sports
I gained a ton of respect for the Patriots after their loss to the 49ers. They hung 28 points in a comeback to tie the game and it was against a fantastic defense.
What they need to fix is their ball security and how they go about slowing down the game when things defensively are happening too fast. They can get all of that done this week against Jacksonville.
The Jaguars are 2-12, but I don't believe in trap games when it comes to the Pats. They are too well coached and the players on the team understand the goal.
I have little doubt the Pats will get back on track on Sunday.
Patriots 34, Jaguars 7
Tune in to Sunday's Patriots-Jaguars game at 1pm on WBZ-TV and 98.5 The Sports Hub. Pregame coverage begins on 98.5 with Patriots Preview at 10am, followed by three hours of postgame coverage after the game. WBZ-TV kicks off their coverage at 11:30am with Patriots GameDay, followed by Bill Belichick and Tom Brady's postgame press conferences on Patriots 5th Quarter after the game.
