This going to sound strange after the Patriots put up 414 yards (333 through the air), held the ball for a season-high 36 minutes, 59 seconds and converted 47 percent of their third downs in a 21-13 victory over the Chargers. But for the New England offense, the bye couldn't come at a better time.
We're not even talking about the red-zone woes, which were obvious and have been lingering (we'll dig into that area early next week). Overall, this was probably the Patriots' — uh, how to term this — most disjointed performance of the season.
Again, it sounds strange, I know. The 414 total yards were the second-most this season. Their 27 first downs were the most of the season. Tom Brady's 317 net yards passing were the most since the win over the Texans.
And then you remember they ran a season-high (by far) 82 plays thanks to the safety early in the game, and it becomes a little more understandable. There's other anecdotal evidence too. The 5.0 average per play tied for the lowest of the season. Same with the 3.0 average per rush, and 6.3 yards per pass attempt.
And then there's this: Four of the Patriots' 82 plays were short-yardage situations (2 yards or less to go, goal to go), leaving 78 normal down and distance situations. Of those, 42 went for 3 yards or less. That's 53.8 percent of plays that would be termed "unsuccessful" by most NFL teams when they self-scout. For an offense that is obsessed with execution and efficiency, Josh McDaniels probably wasn't in a very good mood on Monday after reviewing the game.
You could see the growing frustration with Brady and Co., but you have to give them credit. They made the plays — many in long yardage situations — to muddle through an uneven performance that normally would have resulted in a loss. Consider these numbers when faced with second- or third-and-long situations against Los Angeles:
10 yards on third-and-12;
11 yards on second-and-10;
27 yards on third-and-11;
14 yards on second-and-11;
13 yards on second-and-9;
11 yards on third-and-10;
14 yards on third-and-10;
26 yards on second-and-20.
That's not exactly the way McDaniels and Brady had it drawn up, and they know operating that way week-to-week is asking for trouble, but for one week, before the bye when they can get things back in line, it's OK to live on the edge. Expect them to be working overtime this week to make sure this doesn't linger for very long.
(For comparison's sake, I asked Friend of BSJ Aaron Schatz of FootballOutsiders.com what his numbers said: "Actually, we have them as efficient as they usually are, but that's
because they were very good on third downs. You're right about the short plays, but they converted 50 percent of plays on third or fourth down, which was second last week only to Pittsburgh. Combine it with the lack of turnovers and we have it as a good game from their offense: 47 percent of plays were successes by our baselines, fourth in the league for the week. Surprisingly, the Chargers were 'first' at 55 percent.")
Considering I don't think many people would term the Chargers' performance all that great, I think this is an example of how numbers can't look differently depending on how you view them. Schatz's point is noted, but I'm fairly confident in saying I doubt the Patriots view the overall offensive performance as efficient. Clutch, considering the conversions? Sure, but, again, that's not a formula for sustained success.
In any event, here are the positional ratings against the Chargers:
Quarterback (2.5 out of 5)
This was probably Brady's worst game of the season, but much can be blamed on the fact that he was under pressure on 41.2 percent of his dropbacks — second-most this the season (trailing only Houston). We've said this before, but in our experience with Brady and similar pocket quarterbacks, any pressure rate over 40 is asking for trouble. Why? Because pressure, even if the passer isn't getting pounded into the turf, has a cumulative effect on quarterbacks, even Brady. The more pressure, the more the QB gets sped up. And that affects everything: accuracy, post-snap decision making, the ability to set the feet and throw with authority, etc. We saw all those issues from time to time with Brady in this game. He admittedly took a poor sack (and had a hurry) and had seven other "minus" plays. When you factor the sack and hurry, six of those nine plays were decision-related. Again, pressure is a big factor in that. Still, Brady had seven "plus" plays, including five standout throws, so he was far from poor in this game. It was more of the average — maybe below average for him — variety compared to league-wide play at the position.
Video: Brady excelling under pressure.
Running backs (4 out of 5)
Despite the low output by the backs running the ball in this game, thought this was a good effort by the group outside of Dion Lewis and Rex Burkhead (drop) each having a stuffed run for not following the blocks on one play each. The group has six broken tackles, with three coming from Burkhead. Again, it seems like the Patriots are going with "LewHead" as the main first two-down backs, James White in the third-down role, and Mike Gillislee as the rotational/power back. Like that group. Don't really have much issue with any of them. They usually get at least what's blocked. James Develin also had a solid game.
Receivers (3.5 out of 5)
Outside of Rob Gronkowski looking fatigued (82 plays is a lot), which resulted in two drops, a poor run block and one questionable route, and Chris Hogan being responsible for two stuffed runs on tough second-level blocking assignments, this group was good. Hogan (two), Gronkowski, Brandin Cooks and Jacob Hollister all recorded plus catches.
Offensive line (1.5 out of 5)
After a couple of solid weeks, this group regressed badly. They also probably weren't helped by the high play total, and the fact that Chargers are very good up front. But they need to be better than this. This was arguably Nate Solder's least consistent game of the season. He had one outstanding sustained pass block against Joey Bosa, but otherwise, he had an eye-popping 14 minus plays (including a season-high seven total quarterback pressures, and 1.5 stuff runs). ... The two right tackles (Marcus Cannon and LaAdrian Waddle) combined for eight minus plays. With a sack and three hurries, Cannon was headed for one of his worst games of the season before the injury. ... Joe Thuney has mostly been very steady this season, but he slipped in this one with two penalties and six minus plays. Shaq Mason, the overall best lineman at the halfway point, was in the same boat. Again, the high play count was a factor. ... Center David Andrews is on a roll. He has now gone three-straight games without allowing a pressure or stuffed run. He seems to be in his element as the Patriots have morphed into more of a zone-blocking team (we'll have to see if that continues against different schemes).
DEFENSE
Defensive line (4 out of 5)
Eliminate Deatrich Wise (edge, penalty) and Cassius Marsh (two poor edges), this group was perfect. They just didn't make many big plays as they had their lowest pressure percentage (19.4) of the season. I thought Alan Branch was the best player, but not by much.
Linebackers (4.5 out of 5)
It took eight games but, look at that -- this group played this game with a clean sheet (no blatant errors). And considering it came in the first game without Dont'a Hightower, you have to give Elandon Roberts, Kyle Van Noy and David Harris a lot of credit. Roberts had an especially strong performance. He made some splash plays, but limited his guessing and mistakes. This game-plan reminded of some of the ones employed with Jamie Collins when he was struggling. Good job by Matt Patricia and Brian Flores to take the guessing out of the game for Roberts. Like Collins, they either sent Roberts on a seek-and-destroy mission in the backfield on run blitzes, or dropped him into coverage. There was very little reading. They keep doing that, the Patriots might have something here.
Secondary (2 out of 5)
Video: Who was to blame on the Chargers' lone touchdown? Plus, a Tampa (Cover-) 2 discussion.
THREE UP
LewHead: The combined work by Lewis and Burkhead in the run and pass game really kept this offense going when it was threatening to stall out.
David Andrews: Three games, three clean sheets. The third-year center is coming into his own and is beginning to challenge Shaq Mason for best lineman on the team.
Elandon Roberts: Made plays and limited his mistakes, probably through good coaching. But it still counts and this was promising for the youngster. Now they need him to stack success.
THREE DOWN
Stephen Gostkowski: Missed two kicks he needs to make.
Nate Solder: This is definitely a guy who needs a week off and some time at home with his family. Hopefully he comes back recharged for the stretch run, because they need him to play much better.
Marcus Cannon/LaAdrian Waddle: Way too much pressure on Brady in this game, and besides Solder, the right tackles were the most responsible for that.