Taking a closer look via video at three key Patriots sequences from Sunday's loss to the Bills, which include:
- A colossal amount of errors in all three phases turn a 10-7 game into 17-7 before halftime.
- Horrendous defensive drive No. 1 in the fourth quarter;
- Worse defensive drive No. 2 in the fourth quarter that doomed the Patriots.
3-3-NE 8 (3:30) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass incomplete short left to J.Meyers (T.Johnson).
4-3-NE 8 (3:23) J.Bailey punts 49 yards to BUF 43, Center-J.Cardona. M.Stevenson to NE 42 for 15 yards (J.Tavai).
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4-7-NE 39 (2:15) (Shotgun) PENALTY on NE-C.Barmore, Encroachment, 5 yards, enforced at NE 39 - No Play.
4-2-NE 34 (2:15) (Shotgun) J.Allen pass short middle to S.Diggs to NE 11 for 23 yards (D.McCourty; J.Collins). P12
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3-11-NE 12 (1:48) (Shotgun) J.Allen pass short middle to S.Diggs for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. P13
T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-R.Ferguson, Holder-M.Haack.
1-10-NE 40 (1:29) M.Jones scrambles right end ran ob at NE 47 for 7 yards (J.Hughes). flag picked up
2-3-NE 47 (1:22) PENALTY on NE-T.Brown, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced at NE 47 - No Play.
2-18-NE 32 (1:22) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass incomplete short right to H.Henry.
3-18-NE 32 (1:17) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass incomplete short middle to B.Bolden [G.Rousseau].
So yeah, I have a lot of things to get off my chest.
The sequence starts with a huge 3rd and 3 play that will at least flip field position if they convert, and Jake Bailey actually hits a good punt for one. Not only does it start with Ted Karras allowing pressure in Mac Jones' face — to say nothing about Hunter Henry blocking to start and Trent Brown doing nothing (Patriots don't need Henry catching passes or anything) — but this will start a subtle theme in this thread and game: the Patriots, right now, are just limited in some spots. And slot receiver is a big one. Jakobi Meyers is good and solid against zone coverage. Ask him to just beat a good slot corner like Taron Johnson ... that ability to separate is the reason why this isn't converted, and why I would be eying a new No. 1 slot corner in 2022. The Patriots just need a little better there.
Bailey follows with a terrible, low punt that is easily returned for 15 yards to the New England 42. Great.
The defense appears to get a stop when the Bills face 4th and 7 but the Bills lined up to go for it in shotgun and spread. I don't think they were going to run a play. I think the play was a designed change up to their silent snap count. On every play up to this point, the guard watched Josh Allen and then tapped the center to snap the ball. On this play, they went with the old school silent snap count: center looks through his leg for the leg kick, then it's a timed snap from there. The head action by the center was completely different on this play and they got the rookie, Christian Barmore on it. Lot of rookie lessons learned in this game.
On 4th and 2, Allen was completely unrushed, was able to look right, left and manipulate Jamie Collins out of the passing window in 3.12 seconds — on a 3-step drop — and then JC Jackson compounded the problems by having his eyes in the backfield, losing Stefon Diggs and missing the tackle. Just sloppy all around.
On the touchdown, the Bills kill the Patriots on a skinny post for the third time in not even six quarters. Two went for TDs, and on the other, Jalen Mills should have been flagged for PI. To me, this is Bills OC Brian Daboll knowing the Patriots were likely going to be in a lone deep safety look, and the Patriots got burned trying to fake a designed all-out blitz. Devin McCourty could never get in position to do much of anything. And is anyone going to hit/re-route any receivers coming off the line ... ever? This was too easy. Again.
We pick up again with the Patriots with the ball. The Jones sideline non-call just happened (should have stuck with the flag), and then Trent Brown picks up a totally legitimate and stupid personal foul penalty RIGHT AFTER THE REF AND UMP WARNED THE PATRIOTS TO COOL IT. It's right there on the video. David Andrews was pissed off because he knows they were just warned. Brown deserved the flag and it killed the Patriots. Instead of 2nd and 3, it's now 2nd and 18.
Drive ends with a whimper with a Wynn hurry and Karras/Brown hurry.
Just an awful end to the first half and would help the Patriots trail the Colts and Bills by a combined 44-7 in four-plus quarters to start both games. Patriots aren't good enough yet to play like that.
3-2-BUF 42 (:24) (Shotgun) J.Allen pass short left to I.McKenzie pushed ob at BUF 47 for 5 yards (M.Bryant).
1-10-BUF 47 (15:00) J.Allen pass deep left to I.McKenzie to NE 25 for 28 yards (K.Dugger). P20
Penalty on NE-M.Judon, Defensive Holding, declined.
1-10-NE 25 (14:31) (Shotgun) J.Allen scrambles right end to NE 14 for 11 yards (J.Collins). R21
1-10-NE 14 (13:50) (Shotgun) D.Singletary left guard to NE 13 for 1 yard (L.Guy, J.Jackson).
2-9-NE 13 (13:06) (Shotgun) J.Allen pass short right to D.Knox pushed ob at NE 4 for 9 yards (J.Mills). P22
1-4-NE 4 (12:27) (Shotgun) D.Singletary left tackle to NE 2 for 2 yards (K.Van Noy).
2-2-NE 2 (11:45) (Shotgun) D.Singletary left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Patriots had an awful time getting lined up in these trip formations, which contributed to Isaiah McKenzie's career day. Probably another Daboll factor, and on this 3rd and 2, Allen sees Jackson signal to Myles Bryant that they are going to lock coverage — stick with the man on your side — and not switch. Allen sees Jackson signal locked coverage, and then Allen signals to his receiver to basically run picks for McKenzie so that Bryant literally can't cover this play. Patriots one step behind all game.
On the 28-yard gain, the Patriots only send three players at Allen, don't pressure him (Allen was not bothered by Collins, he fled the pocket to make a play). Allen had 4.43 seconds to make a play, which is WAY too long against zone coverage. McKenzie as able to run into three zones and the Patriots can't cover well for that long. Great throw and catch, but god-awful defense.
Allen easily picks up 11 yards on the next play because no one (Davon Godchaux?) had contain to Allen's right once Collins dropped into coverage. That's what you're rushing Allen with, Godchaux, Ja'Whaun Bentley and Christian Barmore (who knows what Matthew Judon is doing, besides being owned). By the time they got through, Allen was already out the backdoor. Just bad.
2nd and 9 to Knox ... Is Judon going to do anything, like hit Knox on his release, besides getting Adrian Phillips out of position so he can't cover the pass? Holy smokes. The pressure by Van Noy doesn't really matter because Knox is so open. You can't give Knox a free release like this. It's like watching the Jets against Rob Gronkowski.
Then Bentley, with Godchaux getting erased by a double-team, is steamrolled by Devin Singletary.
Putrid defense. It gets worse.
3-10-BUF 25 (7:26) (Shotgun) J.Allen pass short left to I.McKenzie to BUF 42 for 17 yards (M.Bryant). P24
1-10-BUF 42 (6:43) (Shotgun) J.Allen pass short left to I.McKenzie ran ob at NE 43 for 15 yards (M.Bryant). BUF-I.McKenzie was injured during the play. P25
1-10-NE 43 (6:28) (Shotgun) D.Singletary up the middle to NE 36 for 7 yards (K.Dugger, A.Phillips).
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4-1-NE 34 (4:27) J.Allen left end to NE 26 for 8 yards (D.McCourty). R26
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3-10-NE 26 (3:32) (Shotgun) J.Allen pass short middle to S.Diggs to NE 7 for 19 yards (M.Bryant). shovel pass P27
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2-2-NE 2 (2:34) (Shotgun) J.Allen pass short left to D.Knox for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. shovel pass
3rd and 10 ... 2.86 seconds, no pressure, man to man, Dugger — with Knox blocking — just lets McKenzie run right by him without knocking his block off. No plan or adjustments to McKenzie or their trips. SOMEBODY HIT SOMEONE!
Next play ... Allen just goes for a stroll against three rushers, Judon is doing nothing way away from the play — nice allocation of resources and dollars — finds McKenzie again in 4.12 seconds. NO ONE CAN COVER THAT LONG. Dugger, again, allows McKenzie to run right by when his coverage player is blocking Van Noy out of the play. Good lord this is awful.
7 yard run ... Godchaux out of his gap.
4th and 1 ... Collins and Jackson have to make this play, but Collins, at this stage, isn't good enough and gets faked out by a QB. No Judon on the field. Hightower is out of the play and is late.
3rd and 10 ... another chance to stay in the game ... they don't bring pressure, Allen easily leaves the pocket to make a play, Jackson loses Diggs again, and it takes 3.93 seconds. TOO LONG. This is not real pressure. Too easy. Again.
On the TD, Judon is late and ineffective, and Dugger is in no man's land. I figured out what Judon was complaining about, it was the Bills being illegally downfield. He's not wrong, but it was immaterial to play.
The Patriots should try playing ANY defense and not being habitual roadkill before begging for any calls away from the ball.