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An opportunity to change the narrative hangs in the balance for the New England Patriots in Sunday’s Week 5 meeting with the New Orleans Saints.
Some would consider this a must-win game for the Patriots with the team sitting at 1-3 and barely a pulse in an AFC East division dominated by the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins.
In many ways, a win over the Saints would start the resuscitation process after the Patriots were pounded in the dirt by the Dallas Cowboys in a 38-3 blowout loss last week. New Orleans might be the more talented team on paper, but they’re equally as flawed offensively with a struggling offensive line and questionable play-calling.
Can the banged-up Patriots defense make enough plays to take advantage of those weaknesses? That’ll be something to keep an eye on at Gillette Stadium in this week’s matchup.
However, the biggest storyline for the Patriots will be how quarterback Mac Jones responds to being benched last week for Bailey Zappe. Can he put on a good showing against a tough Saints team at home?
His future in New England could depend on it.
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