-by DNOMN8R314

Story time.

Last year, on December 9, I was taking part in my church’s Christmas show. I’d caught some snippets of Pats-Miami before the start, but for most of the game I was performing and so couldn’t watch. During my one ten-minute break, I went up to my phone and pulled up the game, watching the Patriots kick a field goal to go up 33-28. With so little time left, I figured I’d watch the kickoff and the Dolphins’ last offensive play before going down to take my place.

You all know what happened next. I won’t bother linking it.

I tell this story because tomorrow afternoon is the first rehearsal for my church’s Christmas show this year, and I’ll be able to catch a touch of the game at the beginning but not much after that. I’m certainly hoping for whatever the opposite of a repeat is.

Anyway, you’re here for the Y Factors.

Harris wheel: New England downgraded Brandon Bolden to out Saturday, leading to suggestions that third-rounder Damien Harris might make his Patriots debut. Like Bolden, Harris is considered an all-downs back, though we haven’t got much of a sample size for special teams, and Harris would remain the fourth running back on the depth chart. But throughout his Patriots tenure, Bolden has always been good for a play or two a game, so if Harris is active, he may see time on offense; if that’s the case, don’t be surprised if he gets a chance with the ball.

Preston to service: Albert Wilson’s absence from Miami’s office should mean more snaps and opportunities for Dolphins UDFA Preston Williams. The six-foot-four Williams was Miami’s third-most proficient pass catcher in their opening week Ravens debacle, catching three passes for 24 yards and the team’s only touchdown. The Patriots drafted a six-foot-four defensive back of their own this year, second-rounder Joejuan “the second j is lowercase, please” Williams, but he was inactive last week. My guess is that New England will match him in coverage with J.C. Jackson, who is six-foot-one and took on several tall receivers in his impressive rookie year. Either way, the Patriots have to keep an eye on Williams and make sure his opportunities are shut down.

Shilique to my stomach: If I asked you which member of the Patriots front seven led the team in snaps last week, you’d probably only guess Shilique Calhoun because you saw his name in the paragraph heading and knew what was coming. Despite injuries sidelining Calhoun for the second half of the preseason, Calhoun made the roster and played 81 percent of defensive snaps in his first game as a Patriot. While a portion of that may be due to Kyle Van Noy’s opening night absence due to his wife giving birth (congrats again, Kyle!), Calhoun’s regular presence on the field indicates the Patriots see him as a significant part of this defense. He’s been primarily seen as a pass rusher, and though Miami’s most dynamic offensive threat is arguably running back Kenyan Drake, Calhoun could still see the field if New England hopes to match speed with speed. Regardless of how, and even with Van Noy’s return, Calhoun should continue to see time on defense this week.

Izzo does it: Of the Patriots’ three seventh-round draft picks from 2018, only Ryan Izzo remains with the team, and he has suddenly taken on an important role. With Matt LaCosse injured, Izzo was the only tight end to see snaps for New England against the Steelers, and in his primary role as a blocker he performed well. LaCosse remains questionable, and Izzo isn’t a significant threat in the passing game, but his importance to the offense should not be overlooked. (And don’t count him out for a target or two.)

Gunner-from-Bemidji-State-Olszewski is his name: While I don’t make it a habit to put players on the Y Factors list in consecutive weeks, our favorite Division II converted cornerback gets on the list because, as with Harris above, of Bolden’s deactivation. Bolden served as the kick returner Week 1, and while the Patriots have a few candidates to fill in at that spot (such as Sony Michel), Olszewski should certainly be in line to return kickoffs as well as punts. He’s also taken a role on coverage units, getting his nose cracked on one Pittsburgh return, and continues to play to the limit each time he takes the field. We all love this guy.

reintroducing the weekly BoSoxJim TUMS-O-METER prediction:
Well, here we are: the annual trip to Miami, the place that gives the Pats fits – the latest being the final play fiasco of last year. Many on this site think this will be a breeze. This year, Miami is not good, and key injuries to starters will put them on the bench. But their coach is former Pats defensive coordinator Brian Flores, and last year poor teams coached by former Pats coaches did well against their old team. (See the Titans and Lions to name a couple.) And again, the game is in Miami. So this week’s prediction: 5 bottles.