Aaron Rodgers, Jets Head To Foxboro: Patch Pats Roundup

FOXBOROUGH, MA — Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets are headed to Foxborough for a division clash that has much lower stakes than many people imagined before the season.

That's not to say fans and experts expected the Patriots to be better, but rather they didn't expect the Jets to have fired their head coach on the way to a 2-5 start to the year.

The Jets, however, now have Davante Adams in tow and in week two of his inclusion in their receiver room hope to start their turnaround against the Patriots.

Pats fans, however, are hoping to see continued improvement from rookie quarterback Drake Maye, who has impressed fans, viewers and NFL media alike with his two starts this season.

Against Jacksonville — albeit in a blowout loss — Maye was impressive, throwing for 276 yards and two touchdowns while completing 70 percent of his passes.

Here's what to know heading into the Sunday matchup:

Two Receivers Trending Two Ways

Before the first game of the 2024 season, Patch published a column citing things the Patriots needed to figure out this season to set the course of the offseason planning.

Finding consistent receiving options for Drake Maye was one of those items.

So far, tight end Hunter Henry and wide receiver Demario Douglas have proven to be consistent if unspectacular pieces to the passing game. Neither is a number one option, but both are pieces that many teams would like to have.

The team selected receiver Ja'Lynn Polk in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft in hopes that he could develop into a steady pass catcher, but so far that hasn't happened.

Polk has struggled with drops this year after now famously claiming to have the best hands in the league. Head coach Jerod Mayo said he believed the drops were mental, Polk disagreed. Now, the wide receiver is posting cryptic messages on social media and New England fans are in a frenzy.

It'd be smart for fans to pump the brakes on the young receiver, and the next pass-catching option we'll discuss here is an example of why.

Kayshon Boutte has popped since Maye entered the starting lineup, with the duo connecting on a long touchdown against Houston and another long reception against Jacksonville.

Despite Boutte now also voicing his displeasure with target share, the young receiver has been drawing praise from team veterans and clearly the trust of his coaches, as he leads the team in snaps played at the receiver position since Week 5.

Has Boutte solidified himself as a future number one option for Maye? No. Is he trending toward being a viable piece for Maye's future receiving corps? So far, yes.

Deatrich Wise Joins Veggie Galaxy Ownership Group

Veggie Galaxy announced that New England Patriots defensive lineman Deatrich Wise Jr. has joined the ownership team.

Wise has been vegan since 2017 and, apparently, a frequent Veggie Galaxy customer over the last seven years.

The announcement comes as the Cambridge haunt announced a return to full service hours and a $1 breakfast sandwich special.

• Classic Cambridge Vegetarian Spot To Serve $1 Breakfast Sandwiches: MA Cheap Eats

How To Catch The Game

• Kickoff: 1 p.m.
• Network: CBS/WBZ
• Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub