Taking a closer look via video at three key Patriots plays from Sunday's win over the Browns, which include:
- Mac Jones showing his growing mastery of the Patriots system by sneaking a signal to Jakobi Meyers;
- The Patriots' adjustments to the Browns power run game that key a big play by Ja'Whaun Bentley;
- Jones orchestrating the Browns defense like a conductor on TD to Hunter Henry.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
3-9-NE 46 (7:06) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass deep left to J.Meyers to CLV 28 for 26 yards (G.Newsome).
This was the biggest play on the 99-yard drive, and two plays before the equally impressive touchdown throw and catch from Jones to Kendrick Bourne.
Not sure what it was — Jones being dialed in, him knowing the Browns aren't overly complicated in anything they do defensively, or perhaps having Josh McDaniels in his ear before communication shuts off at the 15-second mark — but Jones was much more at ease for much of this game, and for the first time all season seemed to be in total control of the passing game.
While there was absolutely nothing fancy or mindblowing about this play — Jones knew he had it the whole way — just Jones quietly going about his business on something we would have seen from Tom Brady (not Cam Newton) was impressive.
Jones broke the huddle and the Browns quickly showed a pressure look with 10 players on the line and only one semi-deep safety. Jones quickly called for Hunter Henry to go to the other side of the field, to give the Patriots three receivers over there, and he left Jakobi Meyers in the slot in a tight split. That gave Meyers a two-way go. Just before the snap, Jones subtly motioned to Meyers with his left hand to do an outside release.
Meyers beat his man, Jones gave him a good, if slightly underthrown ball, and Meyers made a terrific catch.
Patriots were on their way to 21-7 and the game being over early.
3-2-CLV 36 (11:08) (Shotgun) D.Johnson up the middle to CLV 33 for -3 yards (J.Bentley).
After the opening drive in which the Browns ran four times for 60 yards, one of the adjustments the Patriots made was to attack the pulling guards on power runs. Ja'Whaun Bentley initially was lined up a bit deep, and it was hard for him to meet the guard in the hole to wall off the run. After that drive, the Patriots go much more aggressive and Bentley started flying into the hole as soon as Joel Bitonio pulled. Normally, offenses counter that by pulling the ball and throwing boot action, but the Browns never did that.
On this third down, it appears the Patriots called a run blitz because both Bentley and Dont'a Hightower slammed into the line at the snap. The Patriots also had 8 players in the box (Devin McCourty, a ninth was not far away). Most teams would have checked out of this run but the Browns didn't for some reason. Perhaps they thought the Patriots were bluffing, which they do on occasion.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
In any event, this play was equal parts good on the Patriots (run blitz call, Bentley making the tackle for a 3-yard loss) and poor by the Browns (not checking out, LT Jedrick Wills failing to block Bentley).
It's a good thing Bentley made this play, because there looked to be a huge hole for Johnson to run through.
3-3-CLV 3 (13:37) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short middle to H.Henry for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
For Jones at this point in the game at 31-7, this was taking candy from a baby. Again, he shows his understanding of the Patriots system and the Browns on this play.
Before Jones motions Brandon Bolden out of the backfield, there was some cloudiness about how the Browns were dealing with Hunter Henry. They could be doubling him with 21 Denzel Ward and 43 John Johnson from the initial alignment. But motioning Bolden out gives clarity that it will be Johnson one-on-one with Henry (Jadeveon Clowney ain't covering nobody).
Now the only thing left to sort out is if Johnson is going to have any help. 56 Malcolm Smith should help. 33 Ronnie Harrison is helping on the wideouts but could be a threat. Now it's up to Jones to hold the help, and give Henry a chance to win one-on-one.
That's exactly what happens. Jones looks left at the snap, Smith and Harrison both move with Jones, and Henry wins to the inside. Easy TD.