The Patriots will be without LT Nate Solder (hamstring), OG Jonathan Cooper (foot), TE Rob Gronkowski (hamstring), LB Elandon Roberts, CB Eric Rowe (new to team), RB D.J. Foster, TE Clay Harbor. The game has a scheduled start time of 1 p.m. ET and takes place at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland.
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The major story here is Jimmy Garoppolo making his debut as starting quarterback of the Patriots. While an exciting game on paper, the New England Patriots will be without Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and a good portion of their offensive line. Bill Belichick and company have faith in the young quarterback and have undoubtedly prepared him as well as possible for this scenario. They are loaded with talent on both sides of the ball and have only gotten better over the offseason.
This is Jimmy Garoppolo’s first regular season test and what a challenge it is.
Essentially, this is a titanic clash for Week 1 with intrigue all around. “People are going to be respecting us when we come to town, and when they come to town, we’re going to get their best shot every single week, and we understand that”.
Arguably already one of the best tight ends in NFL history, Gronk has taken football by storm (on and off the field) ever since he was drafted by the Patriots with the 42nd overall pick in the 2nd round of the 2010 NFL Draft.
The way I see it, that means utilizing the short and intermediate passing game throughout this contest.
Garoppolo called it “a great opportunity”. He held the ball just long enough to allow James White to get outside behind his blockers and then delivered the ball as he got hit. “We played a good complimentary game”.
The Patriots are going to try to shut off the deep pass from Carson Palmer.
The Cardinals have added Chandler Jones to boost their pass rush. Johnson has shown his value in PPR leagues, and should exploit an above average Patriots defense through the air.
Creating pressure on Garoppolo will be a major key in this game for the Cardinals and Jones is sure to be a major part of that.
New England lost at Denver in the Patriots’ sixth straight AFC championship game, Arizona was blown out at Carolina in the Cardinals’ second appearance ever in the NFC title contest.
– The Patriots have the best road record (55-25, .688) in the National Football League since 2006. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills start their year on the road against the Baltimore Ravens.
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Arizona had a shot in the closing minutes, moving into position for a potential game-winning field goal. “He has done a lot of little things to help me, whether it be on the field or off the field”, Garappolo said of Brady. It’ll be close, within a touchdown surely. The Seattle Seahawks open up at home against the Miami Dolphins, and the Dallas Cowboys open their season at home, with a rookie quarterback, in a divisional matchup against the New York Giants.
