The New England Patriots started their 2024 season, the first under head coach Jerod Mayo, on the right foot by beating the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1.
Now, they'll have to take on another rookie head coach in Mike MacDonald and the Seattle Seahawks to try to advance to start the season of 2-0 for the first time since Tom Brady's final season with the team in 2019.
Here's what New England needs to do to earn their first home win of the year:
Win the turnover battle
Last week, the Patriots recorded two takeaways against the Bengals, as they forced two fumbles, including one that prevented a touchdown. They didn't give the ball away themselves, which limited the chances that Cincinnati's offense saw the field.
If Alex Van Pelt's offense is on the field and able to play their game, good things can happen.
Assert dominance on the ground
Mayo has stated time and time again that his team is a running team, and they proved that in Week 1 with Rhamondre Stevenson rushing for 120 yards on nearly five yards per attempt.
However, Seattle, who has been ferociously practicing their tackling ability, was great at slowing down the run last week, holding the trio of Jaleel McLaughlin, Javonte Williams and Audric Estime to just 64 yards on 3.2 yards per rush.
Limit D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett
Seattle's wide receiver duo might not be thought of as one of the best in the game, but they can both change the course of a contest with one player.
Lockett obviously brings a shifter playstyle to the field that could draw coverage from Jonathan Jones in Week 2, leaving second-year cornerback Christian Gonzalez with the task of taking on the speedy Metcalf.
If Geno Smith has to run their passing offense through Jaxon Smith-Njigba, New England might be able to capitalize.
Protect Jacoby Brissett
Brissett was under pressure more than any other quarterback in Week 1, and it forced him to run and take some big hits that he can't afford to take consistently.
If the pocket is clean, Brissett is capable of making the right reads and avoiding mistakes, but that will be a tough task with multiple injuries to an offensive line that wasn't great to begin with.
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