The New England Patriots are locked in, prepping for a primetime showdown against the Chicago Bears, but the biggest buzz coming out of Gillette Stadium is definitely about their offensive line. After leaving last Sunday’s game with an ankle injury, starting right tackle Morgan Moses was spotted with a boot on his right foot. Yet, despite that, the dude was a limited participant in both Monday’s estimated injury report and Tuesday’s walkthrough. That’s a huge shot of adrenaline for a unit that’s had some serious questions.
A.J. Brown’s Got That “Next Play” Mentality
Dude, A.J. Brown? He ain’t letting last Sunday hang over him. The star wide receiver watched the film, sure, “put it in bed,” as he said, but he’s already laser-focused on what’s next. He knows it wasn’t his best, but he’s not dwelling. The big takeaway for him? “I think that was the hardest part, you know, getting open,” he explained. “I just didn’t make the play.” You gotta respect that honesty. He’s not changing his process, just ready to “go out here and make plays and leave it at that.” His quarterback, Maye, clearly has his back, too, admitting he wished he had some throws back to Brown. That’s just part of the game, Maye said, wanting plays back every week.
The O-Line Scramble Gets a Boost
While Moses being out there is an “amazing sign,” the Patriots’ offensive line isn’t totally out of the woods. Head coach Mike Vrabel was pretty blunt about offensive guards Ben Brown and Alijah Vera-Tucker, saying they’re “probably not” available this week. If Moses is good to go, he’s jumping right back into his starting spot. That’s huge. Without him, and with the other guards likely out, Matt Pryor and Walter Rouse are probably stepping up at the guard positions. Vrabel gave props to those guys, saying they “helped us” on a big drive at the end of the last game, even if they didn’t get that final first down. He also mentioned Caleb Lomu, who’s gotta be ready for multiple spots, even pulling the ball in different scenarios. That versatility is crucial when you’re dealing with injuries up front.
Kevin Byard’s Return to the Windy City
This primetime game against the Bears is extra spicy for safety Kevin Byard. He spent the past two seasons in Chicago before signing with the Patriots this offseason, so you know he’s got that extra fire. He’s expecting Chicago’s Ben Johnson to pull out “some tricks up his sleeve” for a primetime game, wanting to “show off his great plays and expertise.” Byard also pointed out that, despite all the talk about Johnson’s pass game, his “number one philosophy is run the ball.” So, expect a heavy dose of ground game from the Bears, and Byard will be right there in the thick of it, trying to stop his old team.
This primetime game against the Bears is shaping up to be a grinder. With the O-line still a question mark but getting some good news, and Byard ready to hunt his old team, it’s gonna be a must-watch to see how it all unfolds.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply