5 reasons the Jacksonville Jaguars can upset the New England Patriots
By Joe Romano
3. Take away Rob Gronkowski
The Patriots offense is a machine. Brady controls the machine but the oil that helps it run smooth is tight end Rob Gronkowski.
Offensively the worst game the Patriots played all season was in Miami against the Dolphins without their All-Pro tight end. He is Brady’s safety blanket and the best player on the team attacking the deep middle of the field. He is also a big reason, playing 14 games, that the team was a successful as they were. You can see Brady looking for him in critical spots like during the regular season matchup with the Steelers.
Without Gronkowski the offense turns into a bunch of mesh concepts and slants designed to get the ball out of Brady’s hands quickly. With Gronkowski those actions become more dangerous as he pulls safeties and linebackers away opening up the field for the offense.
This is why the Jaguars need to eliminate Gronkowski with their own All-Pro corner Jalen Ramsey. One unique thing about Ramsey is that he came into the league with questions whether he is a safety or a corner after playing both at Florida State. Clearly he is a corner, and one of the league’s best in only his second season. He still has almost safety size and could match up well with Gronkowski because of it.
This matchup would allow the Jaguars to keep their base defense relatively the same. It also allows them to put their other elite corner, A.J. Bouye on Brandin Cooks.
The other option is linebacker Myles Jack, who like Ramsey, was a converted safety. He is an elite cover linebacker with great speed. Either of the two can give Gronkowski trouble and thus the Patriots offense.