The Patriots went West and earned a big 27-24 victory over the Chargers. It represented the team's first victory over a team that won't be involved in tanking for the first pick in the draft.
That's a step in its own right. You can't become a playoff contender until you beat a team with a winning record, and the Chargers were that team (for now).
Probably the biggest development in this game for the Patriots was that the defense, which was last seen in a real game giving up almost 600 yards to the Cowboys and Dak Prescott, started to show some of the DNA that we've seen from just about every other Patriots defense over the years.
The Patriots, basically, gave Justin Herbert a very long day at the office.
How did they do that? Before we get into unit ratings, video breakdowns and 3 up/3 down, let's break down a few plays that showed some growth for this defense.
That being said, I would not go overboard with Sunday's performance. It was certainly a great sign for a (rightfully) maligned unit, but it wasn't all their doing — or at least unique.
What the Patriots did and how they performed against the Chargers was not wholly unique. Two weeks ago, the Ravens— a defense very similar in playing style but with better personnel in the secondary than New England — beat the Chargers 34-6 and LA passed for just 182 yards. The gameplan defenses in the NFL know what Herbert and the Chargers are trying to do and are taking it away, as Chris Simms alluded to on his podcast.
"I do think you're seeing the NFL catch up to them," Simms said. "That's something that jumped out to me."
It also doesn't help the Chargers that no one is afraid of their running game, so they tilt to playing coverage. If an offense only does one thing well, the Patriots are going to shut that down (Ravens' running offense last year).
There was the element of the Patriots generating pressure, often with just four rushers. More specifically, Matthew Judon and Christian Barmore (15 of Patriots' 20 QB pressures, or 75 percent). New England generated pressure on 50 percent of Herbert's dropbacks, and not all of them were related to coverage. Any coverage is going to look great with that kind of pressure up front.
And then there was the Chargers' own ineptitude with blown assignments and six dropped passes. I mean, Jared Cook ran a terrible route on the game-winning interception, and another TE completely failed to carry out his blocking assignment on a Judon sack. Those aren't great plays by the Patriots, they're the Chargers getting in their own way.
The Patriots did show some development in the back end, and here's a look at a few that stood out to me:
2-9-LAC 3 (7:55) (Shotgun) J.Herbert pass short right to M.Williams to LAC 8 for 5 yards (J.Williams)
3-4-LAC 8 (7:11) (Shotgun) J.Herbert pass incomplete short right
This play was almost identical to one earlier in the game when the Patriots showed a pressure look with seven on the line, including linebackers in the A gaps on either side of the center. To the QB, this looks like pressure is coming, and there is off coverage. Just like earlier, Herbert looks immediately to the the right flat and checks it down for minimal gain.
Herbert missed a slant in zone coverage against Kyle Van Noy. This is a win for the defense.
The next play, where Barmore and Judon combined to pressure Herbert into a throwaway, showed how much pressure was a real factor (mostly against the weak right side of the Chargers line).
3-6-LAC 29 (2:32) (Shotgun) J.Herbert pass incomplete short middle to M.Williams (D.McCourty) [A.Phillips]
Patriots show Cover 2 before the snap, and it appears that the Patriots do not have enough players to cover the receivers at the bottom, which is why Herbert initially looks right.
But, after the snap, the Patriots morph into Cover 3, with Kyle Dugger and Kyle Van Noy helping in coverage so now they have four defenders over three receivers. That will make Herbert anxious, as does pressure from Adrian Phillips but Herbert still makes a great throw across the middle. What was great on this play is that Devin McCourty was more aggressive than he normally is in taking the crosser, and he breaks up the pass.
1-10-LAC 40 (1:11) (No Huddle, Shotgun) J.Herbert pass incomplete deep left to M.Williams
2-10-LAC 40 (1:06) (Shotgun) J.Herbert pass short middle intended for A.Ekeler INTERCEPTED by A.Phillips at NE 48. A.Phillips to LAC 40 for 12 yards
(C.Linsley)
On the first play, everything the Patriots communicate to Herbert says the Patriots are in man coverage, from positioning to Myles Bryant going in motion with the receiver (which is a coverage indicator to the QB). And if you're Herbert and you see McCourty in the middle of the field and the ball is on the left hashmark, you think you have the left fade all day long.
After the snap, the Patriots are actually playing Cover 3 and while Jackson gets beat a little, this is exactly the type of low-percentage throw the Patriots are hoping for.
On the interception, Adrian Phillips would normally dive on the weak crosser but he expertly reads Herbert's eyes and helps in the middle of the field, which puts him in position for the interception.
Here are the positional ratings against the Chargers:
OFFENSE
Quarterback (2 out of 5)
Similar to Herbert, Mac Jones had a rough outing against a defense that fooled him at times. It was the first time it has happened in his young career, and won't be the last time. Still, he battled. In the first half, Jones had four plus plays and five minus plays, including two poor decisions and being late on a pass to Kendrick Bourne. In the second half, he was better — four plus and four minus — but three of his minuses were decisions. He won't be happy with that as a heady player, but it's a good teaching tool.
Thought he showed best on the two-point conversion where Bill Belichick wanted the playclock reset, but Jones was cool under pressure, even as his primary read was covered, and he calmly threw a great touch/anticipatory pass to Jakobi Myers.
Running backs (4.5 out of 5)
Think it's hard for me not to like Damien Harris more. Had him for 12 plus plays and no minus plays. Even his 3-yard gains are terrific plays that would be losses for any other back. He is playing with a ton of confidence right now, and he should be the featured part of this offense — if people can stop holding. ... Nice 14-yard run by Brandon Bolden, showing better and quicker feet. ... Jakob Johnson needs to start playing better. He has plateaued as a player and he's starting to struggle. He did, however, obliterate a blocker on Harris' TD run.
Receivers (2.5 out of 5)
In a game like this, you need the receivers to bail out a struggling QB against a good defense, and for the most part they did not — similar to the Chargers with Herbert. ... Kendrick Bourne certainly didn't help his cause with a drop in the end zone and a fumble to cost the team seven points himself. ... Nelson Agholor had the big play early, and then looked frustrated as he blew off steam for must of the game. It would help if he ran the correct route to help out his QB, like below.
Hunter Henry was solid against his former team, but he needs to recognize pressure better and help his QB out. Jones was right to drill Henry in the leg with the ball. Have a sense of urgency and turn the hell around to help your QB dealing with a free rusher you should have seen. Instead, Henry was taking his sweet time trying to win one-on-one against the defender. ... Meyers had a drop as well.
Offensive line (3.5 out of 5)
Still a bit too much pressure at 30 percent, but it was better against a solid front. The left side of the line gave up half the pressure in the game. ... Isaiah Wynn may be on borrowed time at LT. With Mike Onwenu playing well at RT, Trent Brown is a candidate for LT if Wynn doesn't pick it up. ... Patriots chipped the every-living crap out of Joey Bosa. His ribs must have been sore. ... Order of effectiveness: Shaq Mason, Onwenu, David Andrews, Karras, Wynn, Justin Herron.
DEFENSE
Defensive line (4.5 out of 5)
Outside of Deatrich Wise getting ridden down the field on the two huge run plays, this unit was really, really good. I mean, Judon and Barmore basically are the pass rush at this point, which worries you. As does the 15 percent stuff rate. The Patriots still need to prove they can defend a balanced offense. Chargers could not hurt them enough on the ground, but other teams will.
Linebackers (4 out of 5)
Ja'Whaun Bentley had a couple rough plays in coverage but was solid otherwise. ... Dont'a Hightower had 4 impactful plays and zero minus plays. He was NOT at fault on the 75-yard run. He was doing his job. Everyone else was not. ... Jamie Collins is a part-time player. One hurry and one missed tackle on a sack.
Secondary (3.5 out of 5)
Devin McCourty had two great pass breakups, which is a lot for him. Good to see him play more aggressively in the back end instead of being reactionary. ... Myles Bryant was impactful, but missed a tackle. ... Adrian Phillips had two sensational catches on the interceptions, but he was part of the issue on the 75-yard run, allowed a TD to Keenan Allen, and was late giving help to Jalen Mills on the final TD pass. ... Kyle Dugger had a rough go against the run and factored into both huge running plays.
THREE UP
Matthew Judon: Nine pressures when the other team should be planning for you? That's absurd.
Damien Harris: The offense should run through him at all times.
Christian Barmore: Hard to believe it, but he seems to get better every week.
THREE DOWN
Isaiah Wynn: Huge hold and got Mac Jones knocked down three times.
Kendrick Bourne: When you lose seven points by yourself on two different plays, that's a tough day at the office. He was benched in the second half.
Kyle Dugger: As opposed to Barmore, he is not getting better. Need to get him back on track.