New England Patriots vs Jacksonville Jaguars: Three things to look out for ahead of the NFL’s final London game of 2024

The NFL’s annual trip to London comes to an end on Sunday when the New England Patriots take on the Jacksonville Jaguars.

It is the third match in consecutive weeks to take place on English soil and follows two exciting matches.

Both the Jaguars and Patriots have struggled this season as they hold 1-5 records heading into week seven.

That could be a concern for some who go to the game or want to tune in hoping for a great spectacle.

But former NFL defensive back Jason Bell believes there’s still plenty to watch. Here are the main storylines to watch out for.

Doug Pederson on the hot seat?

It’s safe to say the Jaguars front office expected better results after signing Trevor Lawrence to a five-year, $275 million contract this offseason.

But the team has managed just 12 touchdowns on the year to date, though it’s hard to blame much of that struggle on their franchise QB, who has contributed eight passing touchdowns to just three interceptions.

And Jason Bell speaks through 888Sports believes this match could be crucial to his future: “Doug Pederson is trying to get on a plane and get back home, so he’s going to coach his tail off.

‘The pressure is great at the moment. First of all, you pay Trevor Lawrence, he’s not going anywhere and you’re the guy who has to make him a top quaterback because you’re a quaterback guy.

“The offense should be clicking and firing because you’re the play-caller, but what’s really happening? What is the culture of this team?

‘What is the identity? And you don’t really know, you don’t really have it. So everything points in the direction of the head coach, because he is the head of the cultural center.

“The pressure is on him, but if he can find a way to really get these players behind him and fight for him, that could change everything.”

Young stars to be seen

One thing that shouldn’t be overlooked, especially from the New England Patriots’ perspective, is that they have some young stars on display.

And that starts with their starting quarterback, Drake Maye, who there is plenty to be excited about, including a domino effect according to Bell.

“It’s all about gamesmanship, right? If you have a quaterback and you watch him practice, you know he has an explosive arm.

“So at any moment he can hurl that thing 50 yards in the air and it’s hanging there and you’re like ‘wow, this guy is way up there.’

“He’s like a knockout boxer, you know, he might look sloppy for a minute, but then all of a sudden the haymaker comes.

“That’s the way to look at young gunslingers; these quarterbacks with big arms always make the receivers think this guy will give me a shot.

“They think, ‘I could be the one to make a big play,’ and under Jacoby Brissett that wasn’t the case.”

There was also plenty of excitement on the defensive side of the ball, with sophomore Christian Gonzalez taking the spotlight.

“You know, Christian Gonzalez didn’t have his best game last week, but I think we just expect a lot from him.

“He is a rare blend of size, speed and athleticism. When you play cornerback you have to be nervous and quick, he has that, but he also has size and length and he has great ball skills, which is just a dangerous combination.

Desperation time

As previously mentioned, neither team has had the season they would have liked to date, with just one win each.

That leaves both sides with an air of desperation as they head to Wembley and should make for a spectacle according to Jason Bell.

‘One and five, this is the time of desperation, so that always makes for a good game. And think about these teams.

“Even if they previously felt like they couldn’t win games, they both feel like they can win this one, and hope is dangerous.

“So they’ll come out swinging, and they’ll both think they have a chance to get on this plane and feel better about themselves.”

“And for New England, I mean their future comes on the field. Drake Maye.

‘They already saw a small part last week, now they can go and see him again, they have a lot of hope and want to see what he has.

“For Jacksonville, they’re in a corner right now. They found a way to get here before, so this is the game.

“These players are proud, you know, they have to look at each other. They spent the whole week together and they had to say, ‘Hey, we gotta find a way to go out and fight.'”

“So everything that happens, and that’s what makes this game, for anyone who thinks it’s not going to be a good game, so unique, because you have all these storylines, all this drama.