Patriots won't sell Jaguars' passing attack short

BY NICK ST. DENIS

If there's been one knock on the New England Patriots this season, it's been their pass defense.

Opposing teams understandably rack up a lot of yards against New England, as they're often playing from behind. However, the Patriots have given up 68 passing plays of 20 yards or more, which is the most in the NFL, while surrendering third downs at a 41.2 percent rate.

As a team, New England is heavily favored against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, but the Jaguars and their quietly explosive air attack have an opportunity to take some shots against the Patriots' secondary. (photo: Lizz Koch, Flickr)

Jaguars receiver Cecil Shorts, who will be returning from a short injury hiatus, leads the AFC in yards per reception at 18.9. He's hauled in 49 catches for seven touchdowns.

"This is a guy that’s a big catch-and-run guy and obviously is growing within the system and becoming more dynamic for them," Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia said Tuesday. "... This is definitely a guy that will be someone we have to take a good look at and make sure we know where he’s at at all times.

"[He’s] a guy that will go up and get the ball and catch it and be able to turn plays that may be a shorter route on paper, but the application on the field turns into a bigger play than they thought."

Rookie Justin Blackmon leads Jacksonville in receptions with 51, adding three scores of his own.

The Patriots will also be up against a familiar quarterback in Chad Henne, the former Miami Dolphins starter. Patricia added that New England will be weary of tight end Marcedes Lewis.

"The guy’s over 6-6, 270 pounds, so that’s a pretty target moving through the middle of the field and he has good vertical speed," Patricia said.

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