The New England Patriots haven’t had the smoothest 2023 NFL season. The team has certainly been through the wringer with unexpected victories and disappointing losses. Their latest setback was the season-ending injury to their top wide receiver, Kendrick Bourne.
Injury to Kendrick Bourne Rocks the New England Patriots
The New England Patriots started Week 8 with hope and ended with concern after second-year. Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne tore his ACL in the game against the Miami Dolphins. He will miss the remainder of the season due to the injury. Bourne had played an instrumental role in the Patriots’ offense. Had been a consistent target for the team, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
Bourne accumulated 37 catches for 406 yards and four touchdowns in only eight games. And he accomplished that while starting just five games and playing 73 percent of the team’s offense snaps. In his performance, he highlighted his worth, not only to the team’s offense but also to quarterback Mac Jones.
Kendrick Bourne (3rd year in NE) — Contract Uncertainty
Bourne’s in the final year of his three-year, $15 million contract, so the injury comes at a tough time. Leaving the New England Patriots to assess the best way forward without their No. 1. Wideout as his immediate future remains unclear. Rob Gronkowski gives the New England Patriots their groove and, perhaps, their best chance to win! Bourne has made $22.1 million in his NFL career, and after recovering may not be able to get a long-term deal.
Patriots WR Targets
Bourne is out, meaning the New England Patriots will have to rely on their other wideouts. Demario Douglas, Ty Montgomery, DeVante Parker, Kayshon Boutte, Jalen Reagor, Matthew Slater and JuJu Smith-Schuster. But none of them offered the kind of consistency that Bourne provided. The Patriots also do not have any backup receivers on their practice squad, so strategic flexibility could be limited.
Tight ends Hunter Henry, Pharaoh Brown and Mike Gesicki provide Mac Jones with more passing options too. Henry, in particular, ranks second in yards per reception for the team. Which could come in handy if the Patriots’ offensive game plan needs adjusting.
New England Patriots Still Cannot Get It Together
The Patriots’ 2023 season has been characterized by inconsistency and disappointing play so far. They had one win that seemed to offer a spark. A performance against the Buffalo Bills that suggested a possible breakthrough. But that momentum did not carry through.
The team’s woes have also focused attention on Bill Belichick. Belichick is someone widely regarded as one of the best if not the best coach in NFL history. But the head coach/GM double duty is now under fire. While he remains an elite coach a complacent few personnel decisions have left a pretty boring roster especially on offense.
What That Means for Bookmakers
This unpredictability from teams like the New England Patriots presents both challenges. And opportunities for sportsbooks and Pay Per Head operators. Bookies need to remain nimble, updating odds in real-time as injuries and team dynamics change across the course of the season.
VIP Pay Per Head provides tools aimed to help bookies manage risk effectively. Their real-time analytics platform provides a way to monitor injuries, team performance, and betting behavior. So now bookies can remain competitive, even with a team like the Patriots.
Managing Risk in Your Sportsbook
A Pay Per Head solution such as VIP aids bookies in tracking data, configuring betting limits, and assessing performance trends. Given the rough season the Patriots are having, this is a game where moving lines fast becomes important. VIP Pay Per Head provides dynamic odds and dynamics player profiling to keep the bookmakers ahead of the curve.
The New England Patriots have reached a crossroads in their 2023 season. Kendrick Bourne’s injury is tough, but the team has options. For bookies, uncertainly over how teams like the Patriots perform demonstrates the need for flexible business management when it comes to sportsbook operations.
VIP Pay Per Head offers bookmakers a dependable, swift, and secure platform that enables them to react promptly to game-day situations. If you run a sportsbook now, or want to start one soon, the time is now to get your tools up to snuff to handle whatever the NFL season hands you.
