The New England Patriots opened the season with a 13-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks before their defense powered them to a 20-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2. Meanwhile, the Jacksonville Jaguars dominated the Cleveland Browns 34-10 in Week 1 before squandering a 13-3 second-half lead in a 20-13 loss to the Denver Broncos.

The Patriots have scored 30 points, while the Jaguars have shown a higher offensive ceiling. Neither team, however, has received consistent quarterback play. This creates a low-margin AFC contest in which pressure, turnovers and an explosive play decide the outcome. Here are three bold predictions for Sunday.

The Jaguars will force Drake Maye into two turnovers

Drake Maye has looked nothing like the quarterback who finished second in MVP voting last season. Through two games, he has completed 37 of 55 passes for 386 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions, three of which came during the fourth quarter vs. the Seattle Seahawks. The Steelers failed to capitalize on his latest turnover Sunday afternoon, but the Jaguars have the defensive front to make another uneven performance far more costly.

The Jaguars recorded five opening-week sacks before the Broncos' offensive line neutralized their pass rush. Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker face a weakened interior after Patriots right guard Mike Onwenu reportedly broke his ankle. Maye remains without AJ Brown, removing the receiver most capable of beating split-safety coverage.

Liam Coen’s defense should borrow Seattle's approach. Protect against deep shots, crowd Maye’s intermediate windows and make him string together patient drives. New England can still create chunk plays off designed rollouts, but its quarterback tries to manufacture offense once the first read disappears. Expect the Jaguars to turn one rushed throw into an interception and produce another takeaway on a sack or fumble.

TreVeyon Henderson will eclipse 100 yards from scrimmage

The turnovers will not stop TreVeyon Henderson from becoming the Patriots’ most productive offensive player. The second-year running back returned from injury vs. the Steelers and ran for 76 yards on 16 carries, including a 39-yard touchdown. His burst immediately provides the Patriots with the rushing threat they lacked vs. the Seahawks in Week 1.

The Jaguars have surrendered 191 rushing yards through two games, so Henderson reaching the century mark will require more than handoffs. Josh McDaniels should use screens, checkdowns, and option routes to exploit an aggressive pass rush while giving Maye easier completions. Henderson produced 1,132 scrimmage yards as a rookie and has already shown he can handle an expanded workload.

A total near 70 rushing yards and 35 receiving yards is realistic if the Jaguars take away the deep ball. Veteran RB Rhamondre Stevenson will remain involved, but Henderson’s speed makes him the better answer when the Patriots need offense without exposing the Pats quarterback to long-developing plays.

Trevor Lawrence will rebound and lead a winning fourth-quarter drive

Trevor Lawrence went from four touchdown passes and a 150.6 passer rating in Week 1 to 189 yards, no touchdowns and one interception vs. Denver. The larger concern was Jacksonville’s protection. Lawrence completed 13 of 16 passes from a clean pocket but only four of 13 while pressured.

The split matters against a Patriots defense that generated four sacks against Pittsburgh and has surrendered only 16 points. Mike Vrabel will blitz Lawrence and challenge a Jaguars line that unraveled vs. Denver. Coen can counter with Bhayshul Tuten’s efficient running and quick throws to Parker Washington, Brian Thomas Jr. and Brenton Strange.

Jacksonville should not dominate, but its balance and home-field advantage create the better late-game situation. Lawrence will answer a Patriots takeaway, throw two touchdown passes and get the Jaguars into scoring range during the final five minutes. Cam Little will supply the decisive points, while Jacksonville’s defense closes the game by forcing Maye into one final mistake.

The Jaguars will escape with a 24-20 victory, climb above .500 and leave New England carrying lingering offensive questions into its Week 4 road matchup vs. the Buffalo Bills.