FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Insights and updates surrounding the New England Patriots and the NFL:
1. The Patriots are heading into their Week 4 match against the San Francisco 49ers as the biggest underdogs in the league, with only a 23% chance of victory, as per ESPN Analytics. Despite this, veteran defensive tackle Davon Godchaux believes the team’s mindset remains strong. He pointed to previous unexpected outcomes in NFL games to convey that anything can happen, emphasizing the importance of belief within the team rather than external perceptions.
Godchaux highlighted that the Patriots are more like the team that defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1 and almost claimed victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2, rather than reflecting their disappointing 24-3 loss to the New York Jets. He expressed frustration over missed tackles in the Jets game, which he considers uncharacteristic of their performance this season.
Facing the 49ers poses a real challenge for the Patriots’ defense, which struggled last week. Godchaux noted the need for discipline in their approach, especially against the athleticism of quarterback Brock Purdy, stressing the necessity of staying true to their fundamentals to secure a better performance.
2. Tom Brady is expected to be absent from the Patriots’ Week 5 home game against the Dolphins. Instead, he is scheduled to call the Cardinals-49ers game for Fox. The matchup lost some appeal following the Dolphins’ quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion and the Patriots’ recent struggles.
The Patriots also announced that starting left tackle Vederian Lowe, starting left guard Michael Jordan, and cornerback Alex Austin are ruled out due to injuries.
3. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye is continuously earning first-team practice reps, indicating that he could eventually step in as QB1. However, he remains behind veteran Jacoby Brissett, who is performing well despite challenges with offensive line protection. Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt praised Maye’s growth and understanding of the game, recognizing his potential for future contributions.
4. With the injury of Christian McCaffrey, the 49ers have promoted running back Jordan Mason, who was once a teammate of Patriots’ defensive lineman Keion White at Georgia Tech. White noted Mason’s capabilities and expressed respect for him as he takes on the starting role.
5. Defensive lineman Christian Barmore, currently on injured reserve, has been spending more time around the team to maintain morale. Coach Jerod Mayo highlighted his positive presence in the locker room, where he brings humor to lighten the atmosphere, although he isn’t yet cleared to play.
6. Offensive lineman Cole Strange, recovering from last season’s knee injury, has been noticeably active in the locker room but is not expected to practice just yet. The focus instead may be on other injured players beginning their recovery process.
7. Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt discussed running back Rhamondre Stevenson’s struggle with fumbles, emphasizing the importance of addressing these issues in a supportive manner.
8. Reserve outside linebacker Oshane Ximines suffered a torn ACL, ruling him out for the season. Surgery will be scheduled after the swelling subsides.
9. Notably, Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona is leading the NFL with three tackles so far this season. This achievement showcases his rare skills among specialists.
10. Lastly, if the Patriots fail to win against the 49ers and fall to a 1-3 record, it would mark the fourth consecutive season that they start with a losing record for the first four games, which would be a franchise first.