The New England Patriots faced a challenging outing in their Week 3 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, with both positive and negative performances shaping the team’s outlook ahead of their upcoming Week 4 matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
Among the players who stood out positively was wide receiver Mack Hollins. Despite a costly taunting penalty late in the fourth quarter that forced the Patriots to settle for a field goal instead of attempting a touchdown from the Jaguars’ 7-yard line, Hollins emerged as a reliable option in the passing game. With A.J. Brown sidelined due to a high ankle sprain, Hollins appeared to be quarterback Drake Maye’s most trusted receiver. He led the team with six receptions on nine targets for 87 yards and logged the highest receiver snap count, playing 40 percent of his time contributing as a run blocker. His energetic presence on and off the field has been a key positive as the Patriots work to stabilize their offense.
The left side of the offensive line continued to provide stability, with left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker and left tackle Will Campbell delivering solid performances. Vera-Tucker, who had struggled in Week 1 likely due to rust from missing the 2023 season with a torn triceps, did not allow any pressures on Sunday. Campbell yielded only one pressure, a stark contrast to the right side of the line which gave up a combined total of 10 pressures. Both linemen are under contract through the 2028 season, underscoring the potential for continuity on the offensive front.
Edge rusher Gabe Jacas also impressed with his meaningful contribution. After missing much of the offseason due to a contract delay and showing inconsistencies during the preseason, Jacas has emerged as a productive player early in the regular season. On Sunday, he combined with Elijah Ponder for the Patriots’ lone sack and was effective in run defense. While New England still needs to bolster its pass rush, Jacas’s accelerated development has provided welcome reinforcement.
On the other hand, quarterback Drake Maye struggled again, marking his third consecutive game of poor decision-making and turnovers. A particularly concerning moment came late in the first half when Maye threw an interception to a well-covered Efton Chism on third down from the Jaguars’ 2-yard line, halting a promising drive while down 14-3. This error echoed a similar costly turnover in a previous game against the Seahawks and raised questions about Maye’s ability to manage critical situations.
Tight end Hunter Henry appeared less effective than in past seasons, failing to make a significant impact either as a blocker or in the passing game. Following the season-ending injury to Julian Hill, more responsibility fell on Henry’s shoulders, yet he recorded only a single catch for five yards on Sunday. The Patriots recently signed Henry to a two-year extension, but if his current trajectory continues, that deal may become problematic.
Wide receiver Kyle Williams also faced difficulties. After the Jaguars scored their fourth touchdown, Williams mishandled a kickoff that likely would have gone out of bounds, resulting in a 31-yard loss in field position. Later, after making a reception with open field ahead, he stepped out of bounds prematurely near the Jaguars’ 12-yard line, leading to a field goal rather than a touchdown. Despite offseason optimism expressed by the coaching staff, Williams has yet to prove he can contribute consistently in game action.
As the Patriots prepare for their next challenge against the Bills, they will look to build on the encouraging individual performances while addressing the areas of concern, particularly at quarterback and in capitalizing on scoring opportunities.