An NFL passing offense is like an orchestra.
The coordinator is the conductor, the players are the musicians, and the plays are the sheet music.
NFL teams are the equivalent of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, among the best in the world in all areas. Talent is everywhere.
Still, even the BSO can sound like crap some days. To be at their best, they need reps, everyone following the music together, and the timing has to be precise.
NFL passing offenses are the same. If everyone is firing at the same time in all areas, they can make beautiful music together. When they're off — a little or a lot — they can look terrible, almost hopeless.
The Patriots, with rookie QB Mac Jones and four new targets to the team, was definitely in the latter category through four games. They had some moments where they sounded and looked great. There were also long stretches where you couldn't even tell what song they were playing.
But after watching the coaches' film from the Texans' game, things appear to have started to move more in the right direction. It was far from perfect and, yes, it was the Texans, but execution is execution. Before we get into positional ratings, video analysis and 3 up/3 down, let's take a look at some plays that show some progress.
2-1-NE 42 (11:07) R.Stevenson up the middle to NE 41 for -1 yards (J.Martin).
3-2-NE 41 (10:30) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short middle to J.Meyers to HST 42 for 17 yards (Ju.Reid). P6
Ok, so one bad play (Jonnu Smith whiffs on a run block), before we get to a better play.
And there is absolutely nothing special about the play, a completion from Mac Jones to Jakobi Meyers. Jones actually delivered a high pass. It's the subtle tones that stand out.
This is both Jones and Meyers both reading the defense the same way, and being in perfect sync. Jones takes one step, which coincides with Meyers starting his slant.
Snap, bounce, pass, catch.
1-2-3-4.
Like I said, it's nothing that will blow anyone away. But, to me, it shows progress for this offense. The more in rhythm Jones can be with his receivers, the more space and production it will produce.
3-6-HST 13 (9:36) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short left to H.Henry for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Hey, what do you know, a red zone passing touchdown!
This was equal parts Hunter Henry and Jones being on the same page and in rhythm together, and a poor choice by the Houston corner who forgets he has help to the inside and still gets out leveraged.
This is a read play for both Jones and Henry, and they read it perfect.
More of this, please.
Here are the positional ratings against the Texans:
OFFENSE
Quarterback (3 out of 5)
Jones had more good plays (seven) than minus plays (four-ish), but the negative plays are starting to get worse and worse. I do think some of Jones' issues had more to do with the receivers not reading the defense correctly — especially on the interception where Nelson Agholor broke out, giving the cornerback an open lane to the ball, instead of coming right back to the ball — but Jones has started to develop the habit of throwing into traffic with pressure bearing down. That's a rookie play. He could stand to throw a few away or into the ground. The completion percentage does not need to be that high.
Running backs (4 out of 5)
Damien Harris would have been one of, if not the best, players in this game, at least on offense, if he didn't fumble and erase seven points. I think he scored, but it can't be that close. Harris actually did a great job blocking in this game. Seems a message was delivered by Ivan Fears. Same with Jacob Johnson, who had a great pancake on the Harris wildcat TD.
Receivers (2.5 out of 5)
Jonnu Smith continues to have a rough go, and the coaches are reflecting that as well as he went out on just six pass routes and blocked 29 times. Smith's blocking continues to be underwhelming as he had three of the Patriots' 11 stuffed runs. Maybe his 23-yard catch will get him going. ... Henry and Jones are starting to get on the right page, and he's joined Meyers as the receivers the QB looks to in a big spot. Some of Henry's route recognition was hit and miss, but the TD was a great example of the QB and TE being on the same page. ... Just a huge drop by Jakobi Meyers before halftime. Feels like he's starting to have one a game.
Offensive line (4 out of 5)
First time this season the Patriots have allowed less than 35 percent pressure on Jones, even with a makeshift line. That needs to be the goal each week. Josh McDaniels designed a lot of help for the tackles in this game — as he has a lot this season — so that made the performance a bit better. ... The stuff rate of 35 percent is still way too high, especially for a line who's bread and butter is run blocking. ... Ted Karras was outstanding in this game with at least two pancakes and a clean sheet. He now has positioned himself to be brought into the games if either of the starting guards slip up. Mike Onwenu might be on the spot. Shaq Mason hasn't been great this season either. .... Justin Herron was solid for the most part and Yodny Cajuste, considering this was his first real game action, was very impressive. Definitely had some rookie mistakes — his chest gets over his toes — but his athletic ability showed through. With more development, he could be a real force, at either tackle spot. Isaiah Wynn, who they have not been thrilled with internally, could be on the spot. ... Order of effectiveness: Karras, David Andrews, Herron, Cajuste, James Ferentz.
DEFENSE
Defensive line (3.5 out of 5)
Another week, another Matthew Judon show and so-so play from everyone else, although Lawrence Guy is also getting back to being his old self. Only three blown gaps (two by Deatrich Wise) in this game. That's an improvement.
Linebackers (4 out of 5)
Welcome to the 2021 season, Dont'a Hightower! For the first time in a long time, Hightower looked like his old self as he attacked blockers with his sledgehammer shoulder and a little bit of burst. Final tally: 5 impactful plays, zero minus plays. ... Nothing from anyone else.
Secondary (1 out of 5)
For the second straight week we had an in-game benching (Mike Onwenu vs. Tampa). This time, Joejuan Williams was sent to the bench after allowing the flea-flicker touchdown, his second terrible play of the game. The adjustment was moving Jonathan Jones outside as the No. 2 corner and Myles Bryant the slot, and he shut down a third-down screen. This was a departure for the Patriots, who had Jalen Mills over Jones down the stretch vs. Miami and he was burned. JC Jackson had two penalties and gave up another slant. ... At safety, Adrian Phillips continued to do his thing, but Kyle Dugger had four minus plays, and Devin McCourty had perhaps his worst game as a Patriot.
THREE UP
DE Matthew Judon: It's hard to imagine where this defense would be without his playmaking ability.
OG Ted Karras: Was tough, physical and cooked up some pancakes. Mmmmmm, pancakes.
LB Dont'a Hightower: The Man was back.
THREE DOWN
S Devin McCourty: Hopefully it was just a very bad day and not the beginning of a decline. We'll know against Dallas.
OG James Ferentz: The guy is smart and tough, but he is what he is.
S Kyle Dugger: They have to find a way to get him to play faster in space. So far he looks like Patrick Chung 1.0, and they need PC 2.0. Better route recognition would help. Too much thinking, not enough reacting.