The New England Patriots surprised many with their season-opening win and will try to follow it up in their home opener against the Seattle Seahawks at Gillette Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
NESN's George Balekji highlighted three things to watch in the Week 2 game:
Can the Patriots hold up at left tackle?
It would behoove New England to hold up against the Seattle pass rush, especially at left tackle after the bizarre departure of Chukwuma Okorafor. Okorafor on Saturday was placed on the exempt/left squad list and it's been reported he's mulling his future.
Stick to the run game
Rhamondre Stevenson was a key factor in the Patriots' Week 1 win over the Bengals, and if New England is able to rely on the run game while featuring the play-action game, that would go a long way against Mike Macdonald's defense.
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Defending Seattle's wideouts
Jerod Mayo's team also will have a tough task on the defensive side with Geno Smith leading a Seattle offense that features a wide receiver trio of DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Tyler Lockett. The Patriots' experienced secondary will be heavily relied on to stop that group.
For more keys to the game, check out the video embedded above.
Featured image via Katie Stratman/Imagn Images
