3 Patriots on Thin Ice Entering Week 4

3. Antonio Gibson, RB

If there's one player in the passing game I think the Patriots need to be asking more out of, it's running back Antonio Gibson.

Gibson has been solid as a runner for the Patriots this season with 143 yards on just 23 carries, good for over six yards per carry at this point. The Patriots have seen enough juice from Gibson in the first three weeks of the season that he should have a lot more than just four targets in the passing game.

Gibson has caught all four of his targets for a relatively low 15 yards (one first down among them), but that doesn't mean the Pats should avoid trying to get him the ball in space. This is an explosive athlete who is capable of ripping off a huge chunk of yardage of he can make the first defender miss in space, and the Patriots need to exploit that as much as possible.

Especially because they are not currently giving Rhamondre Stevenson a ton of targets in the passing game, either.

I would put Gibson's usage on thin ice this week against the 49ers because the Patriots might be able to exploit 49ers linebacker De'Vondre Campbell, who looks like he's lost a step and could provide New England with a bit of an edge since they're struggling so bad to get the receivers involved in the offense.

Gibson could provide a spark and do a little bit more than he has to start this season.

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