New England Patriots bold predictions: 5 players who will raid the Raiders
JoeJuan Williams becomes the X-factor
The biggest key in this game will be how the New England Patriots secondary defend against a talented pass-catching tight end like Darren Waller.
With a combination of speed and size, Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson knows the Las Vegas Raiders tight end is a problem and a problem they are ready for.
"“I mean, he can play anything,” Jackson said earlier in the week, as transcribed by Masslive.com. “Like they say, he’s a receiver, it’s not (that) he’s a tight end. He’s just an athlete, all around if you ask me. He can do it all. He got the body. He got the hands. He got the speed. So, he’s a dominant football player.”"
Typically, this means Stephon Gilmore will be assigned Waller. However, Bill Belichick may turn to his second-year cornerback/safety JoeJuan Williams to cover the talented tight end.
The tall, athletic corner has made some plays on the field through the first two weeks of the season and it would be just like Belichick to stick him in this type of situation. If he doesn’t have any success, the Patriots’ defense does have other options, but this is exactly why the team drafted Williams in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
New England Patriots: 5 Las Vegas Raiders players who are most dangerous. dark. Next
This is really the surprise bold prediction this week, but Williams will play a large role in limiting Darren Waller.
Bold prediction: JoeJuan Williams records his first-career interception to go along with 3 combined tackles.