Week 4 game preview: Patriots vs. Packers

Patriots vs Packers series history:

Sunday will only be the 12th regular season meeting between the two teams dating back to 1973. Aaron Rodgers is 1-2 against the New England Patriots in his career. In the last meeting in 2018, the Packers lost 31-17.

Patriots offense preview:

The New England Patriots lost on Sunday to the Baltimore Ravens 36-27. Patriots QB Mac Jones went 22-32 for 321 yards and three interceptions. Wide receiver DeVante Parker caught 5 passes for 156 yards. Unfortunately, only Parker had the most receiving yards for the Patriots during the game.

Most of the Patriots' scoring came from running the ball behind Rhamondre Stevenson, carrying the ball 12 times for 73 yards and a touchdown. Running back Damien Harris rushed for 41 yards on 11 carries, and the quarterback carried the ball five times for 31 yards, with one rushing score.

Surely, the wide receivers will look to get more involved in scoring themselves coming into the hostile environment in Green Bay. Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor have to face a tough defense in the Packers, and it will be especially difficult as Jones is officially ruled out due to an ankle sprain.

Packers defense preview:

The Green Bay Packers had a big defensive game against the Buccaneers. They held the Tampa Bay offense to only 12 points, which was impressive on the road. Buccaneers QB Tom Brady went 31-42 for 271 yards and one touchdown. Russell Gage was their leading receiver with 12 catches for 87 yards and one score. The Packers' defense kept running back Leonard Fournette down with 12 carries for 35 yards on the ground, and in the passing game.

Packers linebacker De’Vondre Campbell led the defense with 14 total tackles. Rashan Gary and Kenny Clark combined for 3 sacks in Week 3. Both defensive pass rushers made an impact against the Buccaneers. Gary finished the game with three tackles, while Clark collected 4 tackles. Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander was able to practice on Wednesday and could return to action on Sunday after suffering a groin injury early last week.

The Packers will once again want to come after the New England Patriots' offense. Campbell sealed the game last week with a 4th down stop to bring the Packers a victory in Week 3. Green Bay ranks 3rd in the Power Rankings after their win against the Buccaneers.

Patriots defense preview:

The Patriots' defense gave up points last week against the Ravens. Lamar Jackson completed 18-29 passes for 218 yards and four touchdowns. New England did intercept a pass from the Baltimore quarterback. The defense allowed 188 yards on 26 carries for the entire Ravens offense. The QB picked up 107 yards on the ground ahead of running backs Justice Hill and J.K. Dobbins who combined for 83 yards.

Safeties Devin McCourty and Jabrill Peppers led the team in tackling. McCourty had 8 total tackles, Peppers finished with 7 tackles. Jonathan Jones forced two fumbles and picked off the only interception thrown on Sunday from Lamar Jackson. Based on their last performance, they do have speed and skill in the secondary that Green Bay will have to keep in mind.

Packers offense preview:

In Tampa Bay, Aaron Rodgers and the offense did have enough to come out with a victory. Rodgers went 27-35 for 255 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. The touchdowns came in the first half as the offense went scoreless in the second half of the game.

Packers rookie wide receiver Romeo Doubs led the team in receiving with 8 catches for 73 yards and one touchdown. Veteran pass catcher Randall Cobb had two receptions for 57 yards. Cobb made two key catches in the game coming down to the wire. Running backs Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon combined for 67 rushing yards on 27 carries. Allen Lazard caught the final touchdown pass that gave the Packers a two-point win.

Offensively, Green Bay will have to put up more points. It will be a help if the Packers can get some more scoring from the young guys. As the team continues to get healthy, the offense will pick up the scoring production with more experience as they progress through the season.