Jaguars-Patriots prediction roundup: More Brady rumors, and no love for Jacksonville
COMMENTARY
The most important thing that can be said about this weekend’s game between the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars is that we’re but all that much closer to Colts Week.
Patriots fans can only hope that Patriots quarterback Tom Brady isn’t suspended by then. Again.
According to Craig Carton, the co-host of Boomer and Carton on WFAN Radio in New York, a “very influential person in the NFL’’ told him “there’s no doubt in his mind’’ that Brady will indeed serve a four-game suspension this season after the NFL’s appeal is heard.
Hmm. This despite an appeals process that can take months upon months? OK.
“I don’t buy it,’’ co-host Boomer Esiason said, “I know they want to expedite an appeal, but there’s so many other things on the docket at these courts. Is this really that important to somebody? I know it’s important to the NFL.’’
The duo then imagined a scenario where the Patriots were 7-1 later in the season only to lose Brady. “They can’t be 8-0,’’ Carton chimed in, reminding the audience that they play the Jets in Week 7.
Maybe not. In fact, if there does look like an “L’’ in the near future on the Patriots schedule, it might come the week following an emotional showdown in Indianapolis.
But a Brady suspension this season seems to have about as much chance as a Jaguars win at Gillette Stadium this weekend. Keep waiting.
Who they’re picking
Our roundup of picks for Sunday’s Jaguars-Patriots game:
ESPN.com: All Pats.
Greg Cote, Miami Herald: Patriots 42, Jaguars 10. “Where to start? Patriots are a ferocious home team. Jaguars stink on the road. Jax has lost five consecutive trips to NE by double digits. Pats sackers will make it a nightmare for Blake Bortles. Tom Brady will sail past 400 career TD throws. Could be a game that makes you wish NFL had a mercy rule.’’
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Patriots 38, Jaguars 21. “This is a tough spot for the Jaguars, who got their first victory last Sunday against Miami. The Jaguars gave up a lot of passing yards last week, and Tom Brady is on fire. The Jaguars won’t be able to keep up. Patriots big.’’
CBS Sports staff: Five out of eight pick the Patriots (New England by 14 1/2). Unanimous for the Patriots straight up.
Benjamin Hoffman, New York Times: Patriots. “The Jaguars have been an embarrassment for some time, and the Patriots are playing like a team with something to prove, so it makes sense that Las Vegas put a massive 14.5-point spread on the game. But that is not the largest spread of the week: The Seahawks, despite being 0-2, are favored at home by 16 points over the Bears.’’
Peter Schrager, Foxsports.com: Patriots 30, Jaguars 17. “Not enough was made of just how impressive last week’s Jaguars win in Miami was. Jacksonville was without Julius Thomas, [Andre] Branch, John Cyprien, Sen’Derrick Marks, Toby Gerhart, Dwayne Gratz and Luke Joeckel. And they still found a way. It won’t happen on Sunday, but there’s some sunlight over the clouds (and the cabanas) in Jacksonville.’’
SB Nation staff: Seven out of eight pick the Patriots.
Elliot Harrison, NFL.com: Patriots 34, Jaguars 26. “So the winning streak stops at one game for Jacksonville. We’re not going with a blowout, as Jaguars QB Blake Bortles (another viable fantasy start) should make it interesting late. As we pointed out in the Power Rankings this week, the Patriots’ defense has struggled quite a bit, the team’s lofty perch aside. First and foremost, the Pats must contain Jacksonville receiver Allen Robinson, who destroyed what was thought to be a solid Dolphins D last week (putting up 155 yards and two scores on six catches). Although the Jaguars’ defense should be a top-15 unit this year, I don’t see them having an answer for Rob Gronkowski or Tom Brady’s quick release. Jacksonville’s pass rush is ascending, but not dominant.’’
NFL.com staff: Patriots across the board.
USA Today staff: All Patriots.
Mike Florio, ProFootballTalk: Patriots 41, Jaguars 24. “Six days after the Jets beat the Colts, a Jacksonville win would be a upset on par with the time the Jets beat the Colts 46 years ago.’’
Michael David Smith, ProFootballTalk: Patriots 34, Jaguars 14. “The Jaguars deserve credit for turning in an impressive performance last week against the Dolphins, but they’ve got no chance in New England.’’
Neil Greenberg, Washington Post: Winner, Patriots 80.9 percent; Pick: Jaguars (Patriots by 13 1/2). “The Patriots have been at least a 13-point favorite at home seven times over the last five full seasons. They are 1-6 against the spread in those games.’’
It says here: Patriots 42, Jaguars 28. Maybe the Jaguars are indeed able to come up with a defensive game plan to stop the Patriots’ offensive attack on Sunday. Maybe there’s also a chance we’re worshipping giraffes as our new overlords come Sunday evening.
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