Tag: patriots chargers

3 keys to victory for Patriots in Week 13 matchup against Chargers

Here are three keys for the Patriots to upset the Chargers on Sunday.

The New England Patriots are bringing back the throwback uniforms for the last time this season, and it is fitting considering the team has played like the pre-Bill Belichick and Tom Brady Patriots this season.

The Los Angeles Chargers defense has not been good, but quarterback Justin Herbert and the offense can put up 30-plus points in their sleep to win a game, if needed.

However, the Patriots can hardly sniff 14 points per game.

If the Patriots wish to pull off an upset—and yes, even though they’ll be in those sweet throwbacks at home, they’re still underdogs against a 4-7 Chargers team—they’ll need to do these three things:

ESPN labels Patriots as team to show interest in Chargers TE Hunter Henry

Re-signing tight end Hunter Henry should be a top priority for the Los Angeles Chargers.

One of the top priorities for the Los Angeles Chargers is re-signing tight end Hunter Henry.

Henry, the 2016 second-round selection, is set to become a free agent. Since entering the league, the former Arkansas product has proven himself to be one of the better tight ends in the league.

Henry has injury concerns – as he has dealt with multiple knee injuries, including one that forced him to miss the entire 2018 season – but he is productive when he is on the field.

The Chargers won’t be the only team that will show interest in the 26-year old. Multiple teams will, but ESPN’s Kevin Seifert believes the New England Patriots will be an “obvious team” that will have interest in acquiring Henry.

“Henry returned to full strength after a torn ACL cost him the 2018 season, catching 55 passes for 652 yards — both career-highs,” Seifert wrote. “The dynamic role of tight ends in today’s offenses suggests he will be highly sought-after if he reaches the market. The Patriots, in particular, seem like an obvious team of interest,” Seifert said.

Bolstering the tight end position will be a focal point for New England, so it’s no surprise that they will show interest in Henry, along with the other top tight end free agents.

Henry should be atop of general manager Tom Telesco’s must re-sign list. He is a proven pass-catcher, and is one of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL. Replacing him would be an extremely difficult task.

Should it be a surprise if Henry becomes the highest-paid tight end? Absolutely not. Green Bay’s Jimmy Graham currently tops the position with an annual salary of $10 million – but Henry could very well surpass that.