Category: New England Patriots

No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye starting out as the Patriots 3rd-team QB

No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye starting out as the Patriots 3rd-team QB behind Jacoby Brissett and Bailey Zappe

Drake Maye will eventually be the starting quarterback of the New England Patriots. When the team selected Maye out of North Carolina with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, that starting role was a given.

But Maye won’t just be handed the starting quarterback job. In fact, as Patriots OTAs progress, Maye isn’t even the No. 2 QB in New England.

Per Yahoo Sports, Maye is running with the third-team offense in the Patriots OTAs. Veteran Jacoby Brissett is the current starter, and Bailey Zappe is getting the second-team snaps ahead of Maye. Reviews of the early OTAs show a mixed bag for Maye, which is what should be expected of any QB making the jump from college to the NFL.

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The New England Patriots may have just played themselves out of the No. 1 overall pick

The New England Patriots may have just played themselves out of the No. 1 overall pick with their Week 14 win over the Steelers

In what was a game fans across the country were looking forward to (can you feel the sarcasm through your screen?) the New England Patriots faced off against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football. With both franchises facing a quarterback change going into the game, having Bailey Zappe and Mitch Trubisky manning the ships, it was a mystery as to how the game would ultimately turn out.

We once again saw some nice flashes from Zappe, who delivered a three-touchdown game and handed New England just their third win on the season.

The win comes off as bittersweet for most New England fans, who are certainly joyful anytime their team can capture a win, but also recognize the reality of what is at stake for the season. This Patriots team is not going to see Tom Brady walk through the doors of Gillette anytime soon, and their quarterback woes continue to be a migraine on the season. With that win, they may have played themselves out of the Caleb Williams sweepstakes.

It’s unrealistic to expect any franchise to tank games for a draft pick, especially a Bill Belichick one, but perhaps the hope was the quarterback play would continue to haunt them into a generational draft prospect. Nothing is guaranteed, of course, including the success of Caleb Williams at the next level. That being said, whenever you have a chance at a generational quarterback, you certainly want your team to be in a position to take it. Now with another win under their belt the first over pick is firmly in the hands of the Chicago Bears unless something miraculous happens over in Carolina.

Patriots prove they’re in need of drafting a new QB

The New England Patriots prove they’re in need of drafting a new QB after an ugly loss in Germany

It’s not going well for the New England Patriots in 2023. It’s really not going well for the Patriots quarterback situation.

In Sunday’s 10-6 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Frankfurt, Germany, New England head coach Bill Belichick had enough of Mac Jones as his quarterback. And rightfully so; Jones took some bad sacks and threw a soul-crushing red-zone INT late in the game. The pick was Jones’ 10th of the season, the most in the NFL.

Jones’ first two seasons in New England were underwhelming but not disastrous. The third year teeters a lot closer to the latter, and the lack of progress in Jones’ processing of the defense and pocket manipulation are not promising. It was very apparent in Germany, where the Patriots run game looked very good and Jones’ receivers were getting open pretty well. Didn’t help Jones, unfortunately.

In Week 10, the Patriots yanked Jones late for Bailey Zappe. The second-year backup threw an even worse INT than Jones could ever muster on a fake spike to seal the loss.

The lifeless loss dropped the Patriots to 2-7 as they hit their bye week. Currently, New England holds the No. 3 overall pick (pending the rest of Week 10). It’s become evident that the Mac Jones experiment isn’t going to work for Belichick. Zappe might solidify himself as the long-term backup if he takes over the rest of the season, but that’s his apparent ceiling.

It’s time to put the Patriots firmly in the conversation for both the No. 1 overall pick in 2024 and high up in the list of teams looking to select a first-round quarterback in April.

Patriots waive rookie QB Malik Cunningham days after signing him to 3-year deal

Patriots waive rookie QB/WR Malik Cunningham days after signing him to 3-year deal

In what is becoming a bit of a head-scratcher for the typically unpredictable New England Patriots, they have decided to waive rookie quarterback Malik Cunningham. This move comes just 10 days after signing him to a three-year deal to be one of the backups behind current starting quarterback Mac Jones.

This move was a surprise to just about everyone, given the timing and the length of the initial three-year deal, and leaves many fans pondering what went wrong in those 10 days for Cunningham to be on the outside looking in, especially given their performances at the quarterback position throughout the season.

New England was able to shock the Buffalo Bills with quarterback Mac Jones under center, who looked like he took a leap forward against their division rivals. Perhaps the Cunningham signing was meant to light a fire under Jones and it served its intended purpose. Either way, Cunningham will find himself as a free agent and there should be plenty of teams who would like to take a peak behind the curtain of what the versatile Cunningham could have to offer their team. The former Louisville star has plenty of college experience and can play multiple positions as he showed off in New England’s training camp.

New England Patriots waive stand out rookie quarterback

The New England Patriots waived standout rookie quarterback Malik Cunningham

In what was a bit of a head-scratching move early this week, the New England Patriots cut both of the backup quarterbacks on their roster. Included in these cuts was exciting rookie signal caller Malik Cunningham, who impressed during his limited playtime during the Patriots preseason opener.

Most notably, Cunningham scored the only points for New England on a touchdown drive where he was surprisingly thrust in at quarterback after spending the majority of training camp at wide receiver. Cunningham capped the drive off with a flashy and explosive nine-yard run into the end zone.

Cunningham saw little action after his impressive debut, not appearing in New England’s second preseason game, and only running once for five yards, and throwing for two incompletions in their finale against Tennessee. It was admittedly disappointing to see so little of the Louisville rookie, who looked like he had a real shot to make the roster and potentially some noise in the regular season. Cunningham should be a priority for quarterback-needy teams or teams looking to develop a potential playmaker.

Draft reaction: New England Patriots select LB Marte Mapu No. 76 overall

Draft reaction to the New England Patriots selecting Sacramento State LB Marte Mapu No. 76 overall

The New England Patriots added yet another versatile and consistent playmaker to their linebacker group with the selection of Sacramento State linebacker Marte Mapu.

A two year starter for the Hornets, Mapu a varied mix of excellent production to the Sacramento State defense. With ability as a cover linebacker, run stuffer, and blitzer, Mapu was a vital chess piece for his defense. During those final two years Mapu put up impressive numbers with two sacks, seventeen quarterback pressures, 104 tackles, and six interceptions. While he is undersized, his tenacity and athleticism ensures Mapu will have a shot to stick around in the league.

Mapu seems like he was designed in a lab to join this Bill Belichick defense, and while he likely won’t be a starter from day one, it is hard to imagine him not stealing some snaps from the veteran starters in front of him at some point. It is possible that Mapu impresses in his rookie year and becomes the long term solution at the position.

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The Patriots are moving rookie QB Malik Cunningham to WR

Malik Cunningham was a QB at Louisville but the Patriots are moving the UDFA rookie to wide receiver

Malik Cunningham was one of the more electrifying quarterback prospects in the draft class of 2023. Coming out of Louisville, Cunningham was accomplished enough to earn a Senior Bowl appearance and was generally projected as a late-round prospect at quarterback.

He went undrafted, signing as a UDFA with the New England Patriots. Cunningham even got a substantial signing bonus, but Bill Belichick had something in mind other than quarterback for the 6-foot-1, 200-pound athlete.

Cunningham is transitioning to wide receiver during the OTAs and minicamp in New England. Doug Kyed of AtoZ Sports notes,

“He’s still playing some quarterback after practice, but he’s meeting with wide receivers and primarily running routes and catching passes in practice.”

With Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe both on rookie contracts and well ahead of him on the depth chart, moving to wideout is probably a smart move for Cunningham.

Patriots rookie RBs Kevin Harris, Pierre Strong Jr. step up big vs. Cardinals

After losing multiple running backs to injury, the Patriots got huge contributions Monday night from a pair of rookies

The New England Patriots were already without running back Damien Harris for Monday night’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, and then they lost starter Rhamondre Stevenson to injury.

That left them with a pair of untested rookies in Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong Jr. to finish out the night in the offensive backfield, and the early returns have been impressive.

Both Harris and Strong have scored their first career NFL touchdowns in the game, while Strong showed off his big-play ability with a huge run:

New England Patriots at Arizona Cardinals Prediction Game Preview

New England Patriots at Arizona Cardinals game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the game on Sunday, December 11

New England Patriots at Arizona Cardinals prediction, game preview, odds, how to watch, Monday, December 12

New England Patriots at Arizona Cardinals Prediction Game Preview

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New England Patriots vs Arizona Cardinals How To Watch

Date: Monday, December 12
Game Time: 8:15 ET
Venue: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ
How To Watch: ESPN
Record: New England Patriots (6-6), Arizona Cardinals (4-8)
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Why New England Patriots Will Win

Can the Cardinals actually do anything right at home?

They were able to beat New Orleans back in Week 7, and … that’s it for the home wins this year. It might not seem like a big deal, but last year’s team that made the playoffs went just 3-5 in State Farm and is now just 1-9 in the last ten at home.

The Arizona defense continues to be a problem no matter where they play. The pass defense has been hit for 200 yards or more in five of the last six games, the front isn’t anything great against the run, and the inability to generate consistent takeaways is a problem.

Yes, New England has lost its last two games and needs this to get into the playoff chase, but the two losses came to Minnesota and Buffalo – no shame there.

By the way, it’s a solid 3-3 o the road so far, but …

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Why Arizona Cardinals Will Win

Arizona should be revitalized after the week off.

It had the date in Mexico City against San Francisco, came back and had the fight with the Chargers, and then came the desperately needed bye week.

On the flip side, throw in the tough 10-3 win over the Jets, and it’s been a fight over the last three weeks for the Patriots.

As good as they are defensively, they’re not great on third downs and have a big problem against teams that get going on the ground. They’re 0-4 against teams that come up with more than 101 yards, and …

What’s Going To Happen

Arizona can run well with over 100 yards in eight of the 12 games, but it’s not going to go off.

New England will be methodical. It’ll balance out the offense, the defense will hold up in the red zone, and slow and steady will make this a fight late.

However, New England is 0-6 when allowing more than 17 points. Arizona will score more than 17 points.

New England Patriots at Arizona Cardinals Prediction, Line

Arizona 23, New England 20
Line: New England -1.5, o/u: 43.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 1.5
New England Patriots at Arizona Cardinals Must See Rating: 3.5

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NFL Scoreboard, Predictions, Lines, How To Watch: Week 14

NFL predictions, schedule, game previews, lines, how to watch, and TV listings for Week 14 of the 2022 season

NFL predictions, schedule, lines, how to watch, and TV listings for Week 14 of the 2022 season highlighted by Dolphins at Chargers, Eagles at Giants, Vikings at Lions, Jets at Bills

NFL Schedule, Predictions, Lines, How To Watch: Week 14

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Results So Far
SU: 65-36-1, ATS: 53-46-3, Point Total: 63-38-1

Thursday, December 8, 2022

Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Rams

Prediction: Los Angeles 24, Las Vegas 23
Line: Raiders -6.5, o/u: 42.5
Final Score: Los Angeles Rams 17, Las Vegas 16

Expert Picks Week 14 NFL | Bowls 16-19

Saturday, December 11, 2022

New York Jets at Buffalo Bills

Prediction: Buffalo 24, New York Jets 17
Line: Buffalo -10, o/u: 43.5
Final Score: Buffalo 20, New York Jets 12

Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals

Prediction: Cincinnati 26, Cleveland 20
Line: Cincinnati -5.5, o/u: 46.5
Final Score: Cincinnati 23, Cleveland 10

Houston Texans at Dallas Cowboys

Prediction: Dallas 30, Houston 16
Line: Dallas -17, o/u: 44
Final Score: Dallas 27, Houston 23

Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions

Prediction: Minnesota 27, Detroit 24
Line: Detroit -2, o/u: 51.5
Final Score: Detroit 43, Minnesota 23

Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans

Prediction: Tennessee 24, Jacksonville 17
Line: Tennessee -3.5, o/u: 41
Final Score: Jacksonville 36, Tennessee 22

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants

Prediction: Philadelphia 26, New York Giants 20
Line: Philadelphia -7, o/u: 45
Final Score: Philadelphia 48, New York Giants 22

Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers

Prediction: Baltimore 16, Pittsburgh 13
Line: Pittsburgh -1.5, o/u: 36.5
Final Score: Baltimore 16, Pittsburgh 14

Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos

Prediction: Kansas City 27, Denver 16
Line: Kansas City -9.5, o/u: 43.5
Final Score: Kansas City 34, Denver 28

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers

Prediction: San Francisco 23, Tampa Bay 16
Line: San Francisco -3.5, o/u: 37
Final Score: San Francisco 35, Tampa Bay 7

Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks

Prediction: Seattle 26, Carolina 20
Line: Seattle -3.5, o/u: 44.5
Final Score: Carolina 30, Seattle 24

Miami Dolphins at Los Angeles Chargers

Prediction: Miami 30, Los Angeles 27
Line: Miami -3.5, o/u: 53.5
Final Score: Los Angeles Chargers 23, Miami 17

Monday, December 12, 2022

New England Patriots at Arizona Cardinals

8:15 ESPN
Line: New England -1.5, o/u: 43.5
Final Score: COMING

NFL Teams on Bye: Atlanta, Chicago, Green Bay, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Washington

Expert Picks Week 14 NFL | Bowls 16-19

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