New England Patriots: Brian Hoyer faces ‘unique challenge’ at Lambeau

Now that Mac Jones has officially been ruled out in the Week 4 matchup against the Green Bay Packers, do the New England Patriots have any chance of an upset at Lambeau Field with veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer under center?

With almost no one giving the Patriots a chance even with Jones under center, it will be tough to find a believer in Hoyer other than Hoyer himself.

Although the Patriots veteran quarterback has had some success around the league as a backup quarterback, the memories that stick out are his lowlights like the four interceptions he threw in a playoff game while the quarterback for the Houston Texans back in 2016 and the bonehead mistakes he made the last time he was a starter for the Patriots.

In that game Hoyer started in place of Cam Newton who had COVID.  While the Patriots made it more of a game than expected, it was Hoyer’s unawareness of the game clock that led to criticism and ultimately him not suiting up in a New England Patriots uniform the rest of that season.

New England Patriots veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer more prepared

So, what is different this time around?  First, he had over a week to prepare, and he may know this offense as well as Jones since he is pretty much serving as an additional coach.

While going with rookie Baily Zappe would’ve added an element of the unknown and excitement for Patriots fans, Hoyer is a veteran who knows the system.  A player Bill Belichick will just ask not to make the mistakes he made the last time he stepped in as a starter.

Obviously, he will be more prepared this time around and won’t be thinking about his past mistakes.

"“I mean look, I’ve played for 14 years, I have a lot of bad memories,” Hoyer told the media on Wednesday.  “One game doesn’t define me, one play doesn’t define me.  I’m excited for any opportunity I get to go play.  I really could [not] care less about that.”"

Hoyer is right, one game or play shouldn’t define who he is as a quarterback and nor will it if he somehow leads the Patriots to victory on Sunday.  He knows as well as every player on the team that he will not be taking Mac Jones’ job if he plays well at Lambeau Field.

Again, he is a veteran who has been in this situation before and if the defense can hold Aaron Rodgers and the Packers under 20 points and the offense can move the ball put points up, there will be a shot.

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Speaking of Lambeau, Hoyer knows it will be a tough atmosphere going up against a solid Packers team who play extremely well in their home stadium.

"“Anytime you get a chance to play at Lambeau, I think that’s a pretty cool experience there,” Hoyer said.  “I heard Devin [McCourty] talking about it.  It’s a historic place.  A historic organization.  Obviously my first and only time, didn’t get to finish it off the way I like due to the injury.  But it’s a great opportunity.  Anytime you get to go in there and play.  They’re obviously a great team.  They have gone deep in the playoffs for however many years.  They have a great quarterback in Aaron [Rodgers].  Their defense, you look all around, they’re very solid.  Whether it’s the D-line, the linebackers, the defensive backs.  It’s a unique challenge.”"

A challenge Hoyer and the New England Patriots offense can’t make harder by turning the ball over.  For Hoyer to have some success in this game, the Patriots are going to have to be able to run the ball behind the force of Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson.  If successful, the run game should set up some play action options for Hoyer.

There are enough playmakers around Brian Hoyer.  Limit the mistakes, execute, and try not to get caught up in what Rodgers is doing are the 3 keys to making some history in a historic atmosphere.