An AFC Championship rematch in Week 2, Tom Brady facing yet another top five defense and a lot of trash talk from Jalen Ramsey has Sunday’s matchup a lot bigger than just your normal early regular season game.
The Jaguars defense is as complete as they come. They have the speed, skill and smash mouth defense type mentality to make Sunday’s game very tough for Tom Brady and company. Week one was a great day for breakout star Phillip Dorsett, however, he is in for a much tougher matchup this week with the likes of Jalen Ramsey, AJ Bouye and the rest of the Jaguars secondary all in his face.
Some key matchups both offensively and defensively in this weeks matchup could go a long way in deciding this one pending who were to win that specific matchup.
Patriots front seven vs. Leonard Fournette/TJ Yeldon: Although the Patriots defense looked strong most of the game this past Sunday, there was still some improvement in terms of their run defense. The Patriots allowed 167 rushing yards on 34 running attempts accounting for just under five yards per carry.
With the two back tandem of Fournette and Yeldon, Jacksonville has both the power and speed between the two to make it a long day for the Patriots defense if they fail to show up on Sunday. Fournette is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury for Sunday’s games, but all signs point to him playing.
Phillip Dorsett vs. Jaguars secondary: Considering Jalen Ramsey seems to be matched up with Rob Gronkowski and Chris Hogan vs AJ Bouye both with potential safety help over the top, this will put pressure on Phillip Dorsett and James White to slip into soft areas with some potential to make big plays.
The Jaguars have a lot of speed at the linebacker position which could limit White’s ability in the passing game but Phillip Dorsett, who’s fresh off a strong Week 1, could be an X factor in New England’s ability to move the ball down field come Sunday.
Rob Gronkowski vs. Jalen Ramsey: Arguably the best at their positions, Ramsey has been yapping all off-season regarding Gronkowski and the Patriots. Ramsey, who has mostly backed up his trash talk throughout his two years in the league, was famously quoted saying Gronkowski ‘hasn't seen a cornerback like him’, before last seasons AFC title game.
We couldn’t see much of that matchup as Gronk ultimately left the game with a concussion in the second quarter. This trash talk didn't stop as he was quoted saying that “Gronk isn't that good.”
We all know the damage Rob Gronkowski can do verse cornerbacks as his size and strength is a nightmare for opposing cornerbacks, however, if Gronkowski can let his play do the talking Sunday, the Patriots should be just fine.
These key matchups can go a long way for both teams and could factor mightily into Sunday’s matchup.