Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ preseason loss to the Raiders in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:
HEADLINES
Offense finds new low to wrap up the preseason: With the Raiders sitting all their defensive starters in this game, the Patriots probably thought their starters would be in for an effective and quick night. Get the ball, put together a scoring drive, take the rest of the night off.
Yeah, that's not how things went. Instead, it was a new low for an offensive group that has had the roughest camp/preseason since the early days of Bill Belichick's tenure.
After starting with an 8-yard slant from Mac Jones to DeVante Parker — the same pass they missed on to start the Panthers game — the next three plays didn't get beyond the line of scrimmage with an outside zone run that went for minus-4 yards, a 13-yard sack of Jones, and another outside zone run that went for no gain.
After a three-and-out punt to end the first drive, Jones threw an interception on the second drive, and they went three-and-out on the third. After one quarter, the Raiders' offensive backups led by former Patriot QB Jarrett Stidham had outgained New England 96 to 38, out-passed Jones 79-12 and led 10-0 on the scoreboard.
The Patriots' offensive starters needed a fourth drive to do anything positive, putting together an 11-play, 56-yard drive that ended with a field goal after a touchdown pass to Parker was waved off by a questionable offensive pass interference penalty.
“We’re trying to get it all together,” Jones told reporters. “It’s going to happen … we’re going to go out there and execute better. That’s what it comes down to. Individually, I think we can all play better. Once that happens, collectively, it’ll look a lot better.”
Defense doesn't fare much better: While Jones (9 of 13, 71 yards, 2 sacks, INT, 4.4 YPA, 50.5 rating) continued to look uncomfortable and frustrated in the Patriots' offense called by Matt Patricia, Stidham looked right at home piloting Vegas' backups in Josh McDaniels' scheme. Stidham was 4 of 6 for 72 yards (12.0 YPA) with strikes of 14, 30 and 20 yards (107.6 rating). His two drives totaled 12 plays for 89 yards and 10 points. The Patriots' starting defense had big-time issues with the Raiders' playaction game.
"We didn’t have a real good night tonight in any phase of the game, that’s obvious,” Bill Belichick said. “Might have left it on the practice field Tuesday and Wednesday, certainly practiced a lot better than the way we played out there tonight.”
Ty Montgomery, Jakobi Meyers leave with injuries: Two of the few offensive bright spots this summer left with injuries and did not return. Montgomery's injury to his lower right leg after a good run seemed to be serious as he had to be helped off the field by two teammates and was later carted off the field. The Patriots ruled him out, which they also did with Tyquan Thornton. Usually a sign of a serious injury.
If Montgomery misses time, it throws the third-down back role into disarray, as he had received extended time there in practices and games. It would seem to open up more of an opportunity for JJ Taylor, who had five touches for 29 yards, and Rhamondre Stevenson (5 carries, 22 yards).
SECOND GUESS
This is pretty obvious. The performance in this game, especially against McDaniels and his scheme, will only increase the questions about what the Patriots are doing with their offensive coaches and scheme.
TWO UP
P Jake Bailey: Was truly the Patriots' best player (what is this, 2020 again?) with six punts with a 54.2 average (long of 65) and two punts inside the 20.
CB Jack Jones: The rookie corner showed up with two hard hits.
THREE DOWN
Bill Belichick: His decisions have led them to this point.
Matt Patricia: He's in charge of the offensive line and the offense. Both have been terrible.
Mac Jones: None of this is his fault, but he was very skittish in the pocket, and his interception was bad.
"Just not a good enough effort from us, from me," Jones said. "Obviously, I have to do a better job. It’s one game, one day. You can look at it and dwell on it, or learn from it and move on.”
TOP PLAYS
Are you kidding?
INJURIES
WR Ty Montgomery (right foot): Looked very serious and that's not good news.
WR Jakobi Meyers (unknown): Left and did not return. Hopefully it's not serious.
TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER
No, I never thought it would finish this bad: Yes, I've chronicled how bad the Patriots' offense has been this summer, and often it has been downright pathetic. But I really thought they would build off Wednesday's practice, go back to basics, and end the preseason with a successful stint against backups. I never thought it would be this bad. They are really, really bad. So much work to do in the next 16 days.
They have to junk this outside zone crap: How much more do you need to see? It's not just bad, it's awful — every play is a freaking trainwreck. Time to toss it in the trash and go back to what they can do well, which are inside runs and some power plays to the outside.