Experts share their picks for the Patriots Week 2 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Mike Reiss, ESPN:
Pick: Patriots 23, Jaguars 17
Leonard Fournette's tweaked hamstring is a huge development in favor of the Patriots. Couple that with encouraging signs from the Pats' pass protection against a tough Texans defense in the opener -- which they'll need against an equally impressive Jaguars defense in an electric environment -- and it's enough for me to take the plunge.
Mike Golic, ESPN: Patriots
Seth Wickersham, ESPN: Patriots
Mina Kimes, ESPN: Patriots
Trey Wingo, ESPN: Jaguars
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports:
Pick: Jaguars 21, Patriots 17
This is the best game of the week, a rematch of the AFC Championship Game. The Patriots won that game, but they won't win this one. The Jaguars are even better this year on defense, which will slow Tom Brady and gang, while the Jaguars will make enough plays on offense to win it.
Jason La Canfora, CBS Sports: Patriots
Will Brinson, CBS Sports: Jaguars
Dave Richard, CBS Sports: Patriots
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports: Jaguars
Elliot Harrison, NFL.com:
Pick: Jaguars 17, Patriots 14
This sucker made my "Top 18 games of the 2018 season" back in April. It's an enticing matchup that should come down to the wire -- unless the Jaguars' defense absolutely controls the engagement. Put another way: If the Patriots are to win, it will be in a close contest where Tom Brady engineers a couple of clutch fourth-quarter drives. However, if Jacksonville plays its best football in front of the raucous DUUUUUVAL residents -- and if Leonard Fournette is healthy -- this game could get ugly for Bill Belichick's group. None of the Pats' wide receivers are superior one-on-one players when compared to the Jags' DBs. Put Jalen Ramsey on Rob Gronkowski to counter that strategic advantage. So, what's the issue with this prediction, and the score? The uncertainty of Fournette's hamstring.
Mike Giardi, NFL Network: Patriots 27, Jaguars 23
Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk:
Pick: Patriots 24, Jaguars 20
Go ahead and put your best corner on Gronk, Jags, and watch what happens when that corner isn't available to cover any of the team's receivers. Also, Blake Bortles.
Michael David Smith, Pro Football Talk:
Pick: Patriots 30, Jaguars 27
The AFC Championship Game rematch should be a good one, and I think Tom Brady will have some fourth-quarter heroics.
Paul Perillo, Patriots.com:
Pick: Jaguars 23, Patriots 19
Jags defense forces field goals while making life difficult on Tom Brady and a Patriots offense missing some weapons.
Andy Hart, Patriots.com:
Pick: Patriots 24, Jaguars 17
Another big challenge for the offensive line, but the Leonard Fournette injury takes away Jacksonville's best chance to move the ball. Pencil in the weekly Rob Gronkowski touchdown, regardless of who tries to cover him.
Erik Scalavino, Patriots.com:
Pick: Patriots 28, Jaguars 17
It's another tight, one-possession game until late in the 4th when New England gets one last comfortable touchdown to seal an important road win.
