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One of the most-anticipated games of this year’s regular season will take place in Foxboro on Sunday night: the New England Patriots will host the Green Bay Packers. While the visiting team has had its ups and downs this season James Develin Color Rush Jersey , it still features a powerful offense — led by future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers — and an efficient defense.Let’s analyze the matchup by taking a look at some of the advanced stats heading into the game (courtesy of SB Nation’s Bill Connelly; for his methodology please click here).Patriots offense vs Packers defenseNormal down and distance in the open fieldWhile New England’s offense shows some inconsistencies in the open field, the Green Bay defense performs well between its own 30-yard line and the opponents’ 10. This will make for an interesting matchup especially when it comes to moving the football: the Patriots have regular success – gaining 50% of necessary yardage on first down, 70% on second down, and 100% on third and fourth down – in this area, as do the Packers.Backed Up Situations Near the Goal LineThe Patriots’ success rate when backed up looks solid albeit unspectacular after eight games, with the turnover percentage still hurting from a tipped week one interception. The Packers’ defense, meanwhile, is one of the best in the NFL when it comes to limiting an offense’s effectiveness inside the opposing 10-yard line.Red ZoneDespite having to settle for three field goals and only one touchdown in the red zone on Monday against the Buffalo Bills, the Patriots offense is still among the NFL’s best inside the opponent’s 30-yard line – but one that gets weaker the closer it approaches the goal line. The Packers defense, meanwhile, is wildly inconsistent in the red area with obvious weaknesses coming inside the 10-yard line. If New England gets down there, chances are the team’s output will look better than last week.Third DownsGreen Bay has a serviceable third down defense no matter the situation it finds itself in. The Patriots offense, however, outranks the unit in all but one categories: New England successfully converts more third-and-longs and third-and-shorts. The middle range – two to six yards to go – is where the Packers have a statistical advantage heading into the game, so improving there has to be high up on the home team’s agenda.Blitz SituationsThe Packers match up well with New England’s offense when it comes to blitz situations – obvious passing downs specified as first-and-18 or more, second-and-14 or more, and third-and-3 or more. Facing an aggressive pass rush that ranks fourth in the league in such situations could pose a challenge for a Patriots offensive line that is performing very well on the year but could be without its starters on the right side: Shaq Mason missed the first two practices of the week with a calf injury, Marcus Cannon the last two games because of a concussion.Patriots defense vs Packers offenseNormal down and distance in the open fieldThe Patriots defense Drew Bledsoe Jersey , having faced a highly inconsistent Bills team in week eight, improved its open field rankings when compared to last week. In general, this will make for an interesting battle against a Packers defense that moves the football well in this part of the field. The key matchup might be third down: making sure to get off the field has to be a priority against a potent team that has had some success when it comes to sustaining drives.Backed Up Situations Near the Goal LineThe Patriots are no defensive world beaters when having an opposing offense pinned down inside its 10-yard line, but the Packers are not overly exciting in this part of the field either. Mediocre versus mediocre.Red ZoneNew England’s defense is back at its bend-don’t-break roots and one of the best units in the NFL again inside the 20-yard line. The Packers offense, meanwhile, is inconsistent in this part of the field: while it performs well inside the 10-yard line – except when it comes to turnover rate – its success is limited between the 30 and 10. Of course, stopping Green Bay before getting too close to the goal line and thus forcing field goals instead of surrendering touchdowns would be big for the Patriots.Third DownsThe Patriots’ defensive struggles on third down continue. Even though the team is strong on third-and-longs, it is among the worst in the league inside six yards to gain. Green Bay, on the other hand, is generally successful on third downs — especially when there is less than one yard to gain. To make matters worse for New England from a statistical perspective: the team has yet to stop a third-and-short conversion this season, Green Bay has had success on all of them. Advantage Packers.Blitz SituationsOne of the most interesting battles of Sunday night could be whether or not Green Bay is able to generate big plays against a New England defense that is average in this area. With Aaron Rodgers at the helm and explosive pass catchers like Davante Adams, Jimmy Graham, and Randall Cobb as potential targets, the Patriots need to be able to limit the big play – especially in so-called blitz situations.Overall, the Patriots and Packers match up rather evenly which means that the little things might make the difference and be the keys to the game:Third down: if New England can get wins in this area to extend or stop drives, it would go a long way to dictate the tempo and rhythm of the game.Red zone: the Packers are inconsistent in this part of the field on both sides of the football, which might play into the Patriots’ hands.Big plays: New England’s defense has gotten worse when it comes to defending big plays over the last few weeks – now would be a good time to bounce back.If New England is able to get regular victories in most of those areas, it would go a long way to getting a victory in the game as well. Read more: Nick Caserio opens up on Patriots first-round draft pick N’Keal Harry"22 drafts in a row — the final 19 of which under Bill Belichick — the New England Patriots did not pick a wide receiver in the first round. Yesterday Lawrence Guy Color Rush Jersey , this streak came to an end when the team made N’Keal Harry the 32nd overall selection of the draft’s 2019 version. Shortly after becoming the final player to hear his name called on day one, the Arizona State product made the media rounds to speak about his mindset.“I’m extremely excited. I’m just ecstatic to come in, work hard, constantly improve and just live up to the expectations.” said the 21-year-old in a conference call with New England reporters. Those expectations, of course, are high considering a) his status as a first-round draft selection, b) his outstanding three-year college career, and c) the Patriots’ current group of pass catchers following the retirement of All-World tight end Rob Gronkowski.However, the rookie sounds confident in his abilities to meet his expectations. “I just want to do my part to help win, whatever that is, whatever that looks like. I just want to come in and be one of those players that coach can rely on no matter what he tells me. That’s what I know is expected of me, and that’s what I’m ready for,” said Harry. “Whatever they need me to do or want me to do, I’ll get on it right away.”Given his skill set and projected role as a versatile X-receiver in New England’s system, the first thing he might be asked to do is expand his route tree compared to how it looked at ASU. Harry knows, however, that such a decision is not his to be made. “That’s not really up to me too much — it’s all on what the coaches want from me,” he pointed out. “I’m going to come in with the mindset of being very coachable. I’ve always been a very coachable player https://www.patriotsfanstore.com/David-Andrews-Jersey , just picking up on things very quickly.”Pats Pulpit recaps Day 1 of the DraftSubscribe to the Pats Pulpit podcast for more draft reactions!Harry also will have to quickly pick things up with his quarterback — noted perfectionist Tom Brady — as well. Again, however, the rookie appears to be looking forward to the challenge. “Just getting to play with a quarterback like Tom Brady — it really is a blessing. I couldn’t have a better start to my career because I know he is going to make me better, I know he’s going to hold me to a high standard, and I’m ready for that.” he told NFL Network.What also might help him be ready is his style of play and approach to the game. “I would describe my game as very passionate. I play with a lot of passion,” the 6’2 wideout said during his conference call with the New England media. “Whenever that ball is in the air, I’ll sacrifice anything to go get it and I’ll do whatever it takes to help the team win.”This attitude, Harry knows, has to extend beyond his own demeanor and towards his role on the team. “Anything Coach wants me to do, whether it’s on special teams, offense, anything, I’ll do it just to do my part and to be one piece of the puzzle in helping us win,” he continued. Given New England’s affinity for players that are both versatile and passionate, it is ultimately unsurprising that Harry became the club’s first draft pick this year.Now all that is left for him to do is turn his words into action and become an impact player for the Patriots. The foundation in terms of attitude and skill set very much seems to be in place for that to happen.