People have climbed down off the Zakim. The orders for creamsicle No. 12 jerseys from the Boston area have somewhat subsided. It's a little easier to breathe again in New England, and it's not just because of the crisp autumn air.
The bleeding has stopped for the Patriots. After losing four-straight games and five of six to start 2-5, the Patriots have somewhat righted the S.S. Belichick with a two-game winning streak over the winless Jets and the Ravens (and I wouldn't completely rule out an implosion for them with visible dissension in the ranks on Sunday night and the Titans and Steelers up next).
We'd like to see McDaniels put in a few more shot plays, and a few where Newton has to make quick decisions (Texans play a lot of zone, so a couple of two-deep beaters should be in the plan and repped). The Patriots have to put on film that they will attack deep at some point, and this Texans defense is horrid, so the time is now.
2. They need Jules.
The Patriots didn't start the IR clock on Julian Edelman this week, but hopefully that happens soon. Jakobi Meyers is a great story and a good player, and Damiere Byrd is solid. But the Patriots need a reliable element in the middle of the field and it can't just be Meyers — the Patriots needs some quickness, and hopefully that's Edelman, if the knee procedure he had took hold.
The Edelman we saw before the IR stint is not good enough. The best-case scenario is that Edelman looks a lot better and quicker, and can stay that way for the remainder of the season.
If not, the Patriots need to use James White and Rex Burkhead more in the slot — which we started to see more of last week. Following that, Ryan Izzo needs a few more 15-yard targets every game. I know that's a reach, but that's where they are if Edelman can't return at a decent level.
A few more screens would also be useful to mix things up.
3. Move Chase Winovich to LB full-time.
It's something we asked for earlier in the season when it was clear what the Patriots had at linebacker was not good enough. Winovich showed enough last week in terms of reads, pursuit and also in his pass drops to warrant more of a look there. I'm not saying he should replace Ja'Whaun Bentley at MLB — he's still the best option there — but Winovich currently is the best option at the other ILB spot, and the Patriots can't afford to just throw safeties out there.
With Josh Uche coming on, the Patriots have enough options on the edge right now — even with Shilique Calhoun going on IR — between John Simon, Derek Rivers, Tashawn Bower and Uche. At this point, it looks like Anfernee Jennings is going to need another year of seasoning — he regularly makes mental errors when he's on the field — and the Patriots need a player with Winovich's juice in the front seven. Plus, he can help put more punch in amoeba third-down package coming from depth, instead of just on stunts and loops.
Rivers deserves a longer look, and Bower is surprisingly solid. Uche has also earned more time, certainly as a sub-package replacement for Simon.
4. When Gilmore decides to return, shuffle the McCourtys.
It looks like Gilmore will be back at some point — but likely not until he's sure he's 100 percent (he's the new Gronk) as part of a business decision. If the Patriots aren't going to give him an extension or trade him as part of their business, then Gilmore is going to look out for himself and his future bank account. That's the game.
When he does return, let's cut with the facade and just call a spade a spade: Gilmore, J.C. Jackson and Jonathan Jones are the team's best cornerbacks, in that order. Just stop with the Jason McCourty starting stuff. It's an insult to us, and to Jackson — and likely cost him that initial Pro Bowl voting spot.
But instead of just sending McCourty to the bench, toss him into the safety mix to help his brother and the team. Devin has had to make a lot more physical tackles this year due to the deficiencies up front in the run game (his tackle numbers are normal but he's having to tackle full-speed backs a lot more often). He could use some help.
Put Jason in the old Duron Harmon free safety role in passing situations. That would allow Devin to go back to his old robber role, where he's a better playmaker and better overall.
Of course, this would involve the Patriots actually being better on the first two downs.
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The Patriots still aren't all that talented on either side of the ball, and their path to a victory every week is extremely narrow. But they know who they are right now. The offensive line is arguably the best in the league, and Damien Harris is a legit threat every time he touches the ball. They can't afford any bad plays, penalties or turnovers. Perhaps more Carl Davis will allow the run defense to be passable, so the defense has to throw in long yardage — which should yield more turnovers for a defense that needs to create them.
That's all well and good, but the Patriots need to do a little more down the stretch. That starts on Sunday in Houston.
