Everything you needed to know about the Patriots' offense — in that game and for the future — was on display on the very first drive of Saturday night's loss to the Bills.
Namely, Mac Jones, Hunter Henry and Kendrick Bourne are mentally tough gamers who can be counted on in big spots on the road and the cold. Everyone else — including Shaq Mason and Trent Brown — should be in question and looked at going forward.
I mean, on the very first play from scrimmage — a basic play that had probably been heavily repped in practice — Jonnu Smith didn't block the right player leading three Patriots on Ed Oliver, Jakobi Meyers couldn't sustain his block and a play that should have gone for 10-plus yards went for 2. Because Smith didn't block the end, Ted Karras had to take the end and was not out in front to take on the corner who tackled Damien Harris.
It's simple execution that a good, mentally tough team gets done to start a game.
It mostly got worse from there, but Jones went on to finish his season with one of his finest games of the year.
On the second play, from the left hashmark, despite getting knocked to the turf because Trent Brown got distracted with a harmless inside rush, Jones threw a very strong out to Bourne on a great route. That's a very hard throw under great conditions. For Jones to do that in that weather ... I don't have any more questions about him in the cold going forward (the wind will always be an issue with his arm).
Then:
- Jakob Johnson false start.
- Ted Karras and Justin Herron don't seal the backside on a Harris run that went for 1 and should have been a 30-plus play.
- Bourne dropped a low pass from Jones that lost steam ... it was still there and would have gotten some yards on 2nd and 14.
- Brown gives up against pressure but Jones eludes the rush and makes a 30-yard throw to Henry.
- Brandon Bolden drops a wide-open play that should have gotten the drive into the red zone.
- Smith tips a pass that wasn't even intended for him.
- Mason allows a hurry on 3rd and 10 but Jones makes a great play with his feet to scramble for the first down.
- Finally, the Patriots take a shot and Jones makes an excellent throw — perfect would have been 6 inches to the outside — but Micah Hyde makes an Ed Reed-type play to intercept the ball. 99 percent of the time the worst outcome on that is an incompletion on first down that scares the Bills a little bit. That Hyde caught the ball was a one-in-a-million Hall of Fame play.
If you're a good offensive team with your stuff together, you do not come out and have a drive like that. If it wasn't for Jones taking the team on his back, they never would have threatened the end zone.
Much of the rest of the game went the same way. The execution was not nearly good enough as a unit. Considering what they've put out there previously at Indy and Miami, this looked like a mentally soft offense that had a tough time on in difficult road environments.
Jones, Bourne, David Andrews and Karras were the few Patriots offensive players that came to play and executed at a high level throughout.
They need to figure out who else is going to do that.
Here are the offensive positional ratings against the Bills:
OFFENSE
Quarterback (4 out of 5)
Had a hard time grading Jones down on the first interception, but the second wasn't a great decision even if it was tipped at the line because Herron missed his cut block. The linebacker read the route and Jones should have got to Meyers on the outside. ... Overall, had Jones for 6 plus plays and 2 minus plays in the first half. In the second, it was 5/2. ... Jones did not look like a rookie in this game. He was really ready to go. ... The delay of game was his fault, but I only had him for one questionable decision — on the second interception. He did take one sack that he needed to throw away. ... I was extremely encouraged by Jones in this game. It was my highest-rated game for him and he showed me a lot. A lot to build on there. Now he needs to become the Alpha and bring the other guys with him.
Running backs (1 out of 5)
Had this group for one big play by Harris and nine minus plays. ... Brandon Bolden had a drop and 1.5 hurries by himself as it has become apparent the Patriots need a real pass back for Jones next season. ... Jakob Johnson was awful with four minus plays, including a false start and a drop. Another position the team should look to upgrade with a more athletic player. Dalton Keene was/is supposed to be that guy.
Receivers (2 out of 5)
Bourne carried the load for this group with his best game of the season with five impactful plays, including two fourth-down TD receptions. ... Everyone else had some issues, including Henry who ran a wrong route and had a drop in the end zone. Henry actually had one of his better blocking games. ... Meyers was just OK. He needs to be a 3 or 4. Patriots need a real slot receiver. Meyers is good on the outside against zone defenses. He can't get off man coverage.
Offensive line (2.5 out of 5)
There was too much pressure in this game against the Bills, who barely blitzed. Even their zone pressures were pretty simple and not blocked well. ... Most of the issues came from Trent Brown and Shaq Mason. Both will need to be looked at in the offseason. Are they worth their contracts? ... Karras and Andrews completed their seasons strong. ... Justin Herron got a lot of help, but he was impressive in the last two games. Could start at either tackle next year.
THREE UP
Mac Jones: Didn't look like the same player that contributed to 3 losses in 4 games. He really grew up in this game and I don't have many questions about him after this. He's got stones.
David Andrews: Clean sheet for the veteran center.
Kendrick Bourne: Been asking for more touches for him all season and he delivered in this one.
FOUR DOWN
Jonnu Smith: Finished a rough first season with a disastrous game. He never got it all year, and his mental toughness had to be questioned.
Jakob Johnson: Patriots would have been better off not using a fullback in this game. He was brutal.
Trent Brown/Shaq Mason: Combined to allow half the QB pressures in this game and two sacks. They get paid way too much money to do that in a huge game.
