Patriots Gameday: DeVante Parker primed to make an impact vs Jets
If you didn’t know, there is a big AFC East showdown this Sunday at Gillette Stadium between the New England Patriots and New York Jets. The big question in this game will be how Mac Jones and the offense looks coming off a bye week.
Going up against an aggressive Jets defensive front and secondary highlighted by rookie sensation Sauce Gardner, Jones will be tested to get the ball out of his hands and make good decisions. One player who could be a factor is wide receiver DeVante Parker.
After going down in the first matchup, Parker has missed the last two games, but should be back and ready following the bye week. Prior to the injury, the veteran wide receiver was starting to settle into the Patriots’ offense.
Let’s not forget that Baltimore Ravens game in which he exploded, hauling in 5 catches for 156 yards.
Patriots wide receiver DeVante Parker has a battle with Sauce Gardner
That was the last game Jones and Parker was both healthy on the field. It was also a game in which the two showed off that chemistry that was much talked about in the offseason. That connection could be key in the Week 11 matchup against the Jets because of Parkers’ physicality and his ability to go up and get the ball.
If he is on the field, he is a target the Jets will focus so at the very least, he could free up some opportunities for the other playmakers on the field like Jakobi Meyers, Tyquan Thornton and either Kendrick Bourne or Nelson Agholor. The key for the Patriots is using him like they did against the Ravens.
They must create plays to free him up early in this game to be the difference maker he can be. While it is expected the Patriots will lean on their running game, Jones is going to have to make some plays down the field and Parker is the target to get that down due to his ability to go up and get it. Gardner is good, but he is still a rookie so a veteran like Parker could take advantage of that aggressiveness.
Next. Mac Jones is the Patriots biggest question in race for the playoffs. dark
Again, if Mac Jones doesn’t get locked into the habit of forcing the ball to Parker, he should be able to make some plays in this game with his ability to out physical cornerbacks. Sunday will be a challenge going up against that Jets’ secondary, but to win this game the offense must be aggressive and take their shots.
It would be a perfect game for the Jones-to-Parker connection to shine again. Not only will it help impact this game, it could catapult the offense going forward.
So, let’s get ready to soar, it’s gameday.