Week 3 Patriots vs Jaguars: Five Questions with Big Cat Country

We spoke with Ryan Day of Big Cat Country to preview the upcoming game between the New England Patriots and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

1. I noticed that Allen Robinson was Blake Bortles top target in the offense, but then roughly five or six players saw a similar number of targets. Who are the real top targets the Patriots need to be concerned about?

Make no mistake, it's Allen Robinson. He's the deep threat. Marqise Lee is used to stretch the field and is given throws that showcase his ability to run after the catch, Allen Hurns is a threat for short or medium throws, especially on third downs, and Bryan Walters will be a guy we use to try and get a mismatch and an easy 5-10 yards, but Robinson is the best route runner on the team and he's the guy who has the best chance of beating you deep.

2. The Patriots have a habit of finding the weakest link in the opposing secondary and just throwing at them repeatedly. Who should be on watch for Jacksonville?

Well, it's not so much a weak link, but our cornerbacks are really hurting. Dwayne Gratz has been limited in practice the first couple of weeks and both Davon House and Aaron Colvin left the game last week with injuries. Aside from injuries, if House and Colvin are good to go, I won't be as worried about them as I will our safeties. Sergio Brown has been a solid free agency addition, but the position opposite him has been dragged down by injury (Johnathan Cyprien), inconsistency (Josh Evans), and a steep learning curve for a rookie learning a new position (James Sample).

If you want to exploit our secondary, go after House with speed or go after the safety position opposite Brown.

3. New England thanks you for dispatching the division rival Dolphins. How did the Jaguars manage to pull off the upset and disrupt the Miami offense?

All week, we heard about how the Jaguars were an angry team after losing to the Panthers. That it was a winnable game in Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers and that they wouldn't let Week 2 do the same thing. In all honesty, we've heard it before, so I wasn't expecting this team to put together a victory. So when they did, I asked myself the same question -- How did the Jaguars manage to pull off the upset?

First, the offensive line played really well. Sam Young wasn't Tony Boselli reincarnate, but he was good enough. No one allowed any sacks for the first time since the Bush administration, I think.

Second, offensive coordinator Greg Olson called a hell of a game. He was as aggressive as I can remember an offensive coordinator being. Blake Bortles almost had an interception right before halftime and Olson still went pass-pass-pass afterwards to set up a 58-yard field goal by Jason Myers to close out the first half. Olson was gambling like he was playing with house money and it was beautiful to watch.

Third, our receivers actually... well, received the ball. They were plagued by drops in Week 1 and they didn't let it happen again.

Last, our defense showed up when they needed to. They slumped for most of the first half, but the adjustments head coach Gus Bradley and defensive coordinator Bob Babich made really paid off.

4. The Patriots have a goal line package that involves four tight ends. If defenses put on defensive backs to cover, the Patriots run. If the defense uses linebackers, the Patriots pass. How are the Jaguars linebackers in coverage?

Really, really good. Telvin Smith is playing at a Pro Bowl level and he's one of the fastest, most athletic linebackers in the league. Dan Skuta, who plays the OTTO, is also athletic, but not like Telvin. Paul Posluszny is... let's just hope New England throws away from the middle of the field on goal line situations.

5. Plenty of games are won in the trenches. Would you consider the Jaguars offensive or defensive line better, and why?

Hmmm. That's a tough one. I'd say defensive line. Jared Odrick has been disruptive in each of the first two games and caused a lot of pressure himself last week against the Dolphins. Our pass rushers are doing their best, but defensive coordinator Bob Babich knows how to get lemonade from lemons. On paper, this line shouldn't be doing as well as it is, but our coaching staff knows how to scheme the players we have.

Our offensive line has been hit with injuries (Luke Joeckel, Brandon Linder) and substandard play (Stefen Wisniewski). I'm afraid we'll see them get worse over these next few weeks before they get better.