New England Patriots GameDay: Five biggest X-factors vs. New York Jets

Offensive line

It’s quite simple.

If the battered New England Patriots offensive line holds up in this game, they win going away.

With left tackle Isaiah Wynn on till later in the season, right tackle Marcus Cannon nursing a shoulder injury and center David Andrews out for the season, the offensive line suddenly have a lot of pressure as to how the overall offense performs.

Players like Ted Karras, Korey Cunningham and Marshall Newhouse are holding their own as replacements, but they really haven’t been challenged yet.

Expect that to change against a New York Jets very physical defense.

While Newhouse will have to play a major role in protecting Tom Brady’s blindside, it is the interior of the line that will be huge in this game.

Keep the pressure out of Brady’s face, and things should be fine.

Karras, Shaq Mason and Joe Thuney will have to hold their own.  An injury to either of them would really test the coaching mastery of offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia.

Needless to say, if this turns into a typical New England Patriots, New York Jets slugfest, it will depend on how and if the offensive line holds its own against a hungry defense starving for an upset.