I'm sure you've heard it all this week.
Fifty points on any NFL team is impressive.
If you win by 41 points in the NFL, that's a beating no matter the opponent.
Throwing for 300 yards and 551 total yards against any defense is a good day's work.
On most weeks, I would agree with you on any or all of the above. But after another watching of the Patriots' film in their 54-13 victory over the Jets, I just can't go there. This was one of the least impressive blowouts I've ever seen, and it definitely said more about where the Jets were on Sunday than the Patriots. I mean, the Patriots put up almost 40 percent of their points in the fourth quarter after it was 34-13.
There was certainly good news in the blowout victory. The Patriots didn't turn the ball over, made big plays (even though most were given to them), the execution — which had been lacking and was the biggest issue with the team to this point — was much better both on offense and in the front seven on defense. Those are things they can build off of.
There were a lot of empty yards for the Patriots in this one, as Jonnu Smith and Brandon Bolden saw their 130 combined receiving yards accumulated without many defenders around them. And on defense, the Patriots had two terrible busted coverages and allowed Mike White to go 10 of 13 for 119 yards at one point as he directed a 77-yard touchdown drive after halftime thanks to some shoddy defense/penalties from Jalen Mills.
But before we get into the positional ratings, 3 up/down and video analysis, let's start with the empty yards the Patriots got on offense, where it could easily be argued that many of the Patriots 10 top gainers on Sunday (not involving Brian Hoyer) were gifts from the Jets, outside of Mac Jones' gorgeous deep throw to Kendrick Bourne:
(9:54) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass deep left to K.Bourne to NYJ 1 for 46 yards (B.Echols).
Perfect by both players. Patriots will need more of this. Interesting that this pass gave Jones his first 300-yard game. I'm sure it was just a coincidence.
2-7-NYJ 39 (8:54) D.Harris right guard to NYJ 7 for 32 yards (A.Davis).
Damien Harris continued to show his jets, but the Jets, down two of their best linebackers, were a mess in the middle and their terrible run fit allowed Harris to go untouched for 30 yards. That should not happen in an NFL game unless it's short-yardage and the defense has to make a play.
2-15-NE 47 (13:28) M.Jones pass short left to J.Smith pushed ob at NYJ 25 for 28 yards (B.Echols).
Screen pass where two Jets defenders run away from the ball without a clue for the first 10 yards. Just awful defense.
2 1-10-NE 28 (1:55) M.Jones pass short right to B.Bolden to NYJ 44 for 28 yards (A.Davis).
Completely uncovered, again with Jets backs to the ball.
1-10-NE 15 (4:16) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short middle to N.Agholor to NE 41 for 26 yards (N.Dawkins; J.Sherwood).
Nice route combination, but terrible defense. No one within 7 yards.
2-10-NE 38 (1:45) J.Herron reported in as eligible. M.Jones pass short right to J.Smith pushed ob at NYJ 38 for 24 yards (B.Echols).'
No one within 12 yards of Smith, and he still has to stop his feet to make sure he catches the ball.
2-7-NYJ 25 (14:18) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short left to H.Henry to NYJ 3 for 22 yards (M.Maye, A.Davis).
Nice design and execution. No one within 10 yards that could defend Henry.
Further video breakdowns:
We'll get into some of the defensive issues down below.
Look, the Patriots were gifted a lot of things in this game and they were able to accept them and turn them into points. In previous games, that happened against Tampa and Dallas, and New England was incapable of accepting those gifts against more talented teams. The Jets are not in anybody's weight class at this time, especially with Zach Wilson going down, which exacerbated the score — as well as the Patriots' willingness to run it up in the fourth quarter.
All of that is good and needed, but I wouldn't take more from this game than a job well done against a bad opponent. If it gives them confidence against the Chargers, then all the better. But if the Patriots revert back to the team we saw in the first six games on Sunday, then don't be surprised about that either.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
Here are the positional ratings against the Jets:
OFFENSE
Quarterback (2.5 out of 5)
Don't really care what Jones' stats look like, he wasn't great in this game. He was very much middle of the road. Didn't have him for a plus play in this game until his 3rd-down scramble (another wide-open play) and just four for the game. Had him for five minus plays in the first half, one in the second. Even the big third-down completion to Jakobi Meyers in the middle of the field was unfettered.
Jones missed Henry on a 3rd and 6 gotta-have-it play in the red zone that led to a field goal. Misfired to an open Henry later, didn't give Nelson Agholor chances on two balls in the red zone, and flat-out missed Bolden in the flat behind him.
Relatively, wasn't under as much pressure in this game, which makes this performance a little disappointing. The deep ball to Bourne was a great sign and hopefully more will come.
Running backs (4.5 out of 5)
Great job by all involved, especially Harris for his speed and power, and loved seeing JJ Taylor bowl over a couple of people at the goal line. Would have liked to see Taylor more involved in the pass game in this one instead of Bolden. Taylor is a playmaker.
Receivers (4.5 out of 5)
Definitely the best performance as a group for all the receivers and tight ends, which shows progress. Big plays abound. A few route issues with Smith and Agholor, and a few poor run blocks by Henry, but this group is getting better with better timing by the week. Hopefully they hit on everything in LA.
Offensive line (3 out of 5)
The first half was terrific. Second half ... not so much, especially by Ted Karras, who had a really rough stretch where you're hoping he's not turning back into backup Ted Karras. ... Really nice power run block by Isaiah Wynn on Harris' TD run — good to see him be more physical — but he also had some issues. ... Mike Onwenu had a terrific pass block on a TD, and three stand out run blocks. This is more like it for him, and it certainly has to do with the position switch. With Trent Brown not looking like he will be activated this week, I expect them to make sure Brown is over-healed before he gets another crack. ... In order of effectiveness: Onwenu, Andrews, Mason, Wynn, Karras.
DEFENSE
Defensive line (4 out of 5)
Jets RG Greg Van Roten may be the worst player I've seen in some time and the Patriots just repeatedly went after him — and C Connor McGovern was not all that much better. ... That being said, this was by far Christian Barmore's best game as a pro and hopefully his first career start is a sign of things to come. Had him for eight impactful plays and no errors. He needs to start and play more. ... Lawrence Guy continues to look like the Guy we've known and loved with five impactful plays. ... I think the Patriots should look to start getting Matthew Judon some rest — he's starting to look a little tired and he made a few big mistakes in this game. No reason for him to be on the field in the fourth quarter of this game. ... Josh Uche showed his weakness in the run game again. ... Deatrich Wise failed to set the edge on the embarrassing Elijah Moore untouched TD run.
Linebackers (3.5 out of 5)
Ja'Whaun Bentley ran through Van Roten a few times early but wasn't seen much after that. ... Kyle Van Noy had three impactful plays but isn't nearly the player he once was. His best role is as a pick setter for stunts. People used to pick for him.
Secondary (2 out of 5)
JC Jackson's interception was a very nice read, but Kyle Dugger's was a gift and his only impactful play. ... Adrian Phillips appeared to be involved in two coverage busts — that's a season's worth for him and probably a result of having to play FS when Devin McCourty went out. ... Myles Bryant missed a check from McCourty leading to a coverage bust. ... Jalen Mills had a rough day with a couple of good plays, but a handful of tough ones. ... Joejuan Williams had three pass breakups/coverage. A sign of things to come?
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
FOUR UP
Christian Barmore: No question he was the best player on the field for New England and his youthful power makes you long for a youth movement on that side of the ball.
Kendrick Bourne: Threw a TD and caught a deep one. Continuing to get better.
Damien Harris: Stacking really nice games and becoming a force.
Josh McDaniels: His playcalling had the Jets spinning in circles and kept the likes of John Franklin-Myers from killing the Patriots' line again.
THREE DOWN
Jalen Mills: Gave up a TD, set another one up with DPI, allowed another big play and missed a tackle for another 10 yards. Not great, Bob.
Jonnu Smith: Fine when he's wide open (most of the time) and the ball gets to his hands, but he fights everything and he turned the wrong way on what should have been a big play from Jones.
Ted Karras (second half): He was perfect in the first half, but the second was really rough. Hopefully it was just a bad stretch of plays or it could be an issue this week.