Let's just get into it because, no, things didn't look much better after watching the film.
Anatomy of a (blocking) disaster, along with some video analysis, then we'll get into pressure charts, plus/minus ratings and 3 up/3 down. Going to do something different instead of unit ratings ... going to give a thought/observation on everyone who played:
2-2-NE 33 (14:23) R.Stevenson left end to NE 29 for -4 yards (D.Butler; L.Masterson).
Ah, the outside zone stretch run that they've been trying to run for five weeks and failing miserably.
Basically, what you're trying to accomplish in the zone blocking scheme on runs to the perimeter is to get the offense stretched horizontally so that a cutback lane develops. When it's run right, it's a thing of beauty and hard to stop. If the defense penetrates, all the better. That makes opening a gap even easier. When it's done wrong, it's a debacle. That's where the Patriots are because there are major issues on every play. This first run is a perfect microcosm of everything that has gone wrong all summer. That it's not better after five weeks ... that just shouldn't happen.
When you are running stretch to one side, the blockers are trying to work one gap to that side, in this case the left. It's not always going to be clean, so sometimes a blocker has to help on a double to give the other player time to get over. In a perfect world, every blocker is getting his backside shoulder (in this case the right) on the frontside of the defender to create leverage and cutback lanes.
Here's what is supposed to happen on this play (my educated guess):
Hunter Henry: Should help on the end, giving time for Jonnu Smith to get over the top of the end, and then Henry gets the safety.
Jonnu Smith: Get the end going toward the sideline.
Trent Brown: Help on the DT to give Cole Strange time to get over, then pick off the linebacker.
Cole Strange: Move the DT toward the sideline.
David Andrews: Has the toughest block because the NT is shaded on his left shoulder and Mike Onwenu needs to block him. Then Andrews ideally gets the linebacker if Onwenu gets over. But Andrews might not have that chance depending on the defender.
Mike Onwenu: Needs to get the nose, ideally, but if Andrews makes a check, run like hell and get the linebacker.
Isaiah Wynn: Reach block the end. The outside linebacker is unblocked by design.
What ends up happening? A train wreck:
Henry never disengages from the end and doesn't pick up the safety, which ends up not mattering because things are much worse inside.
Brown never leaves his double team with Strange, even though the rookie is there, and Brown's decision allows the linebacker to run completely free into the backfield. It is completely baffling what Brown is doing. It's like he's running his own play from the old playbook.
Onwenu doesn't block anyone. He doesn't lose ground to help Andrews (common o-line saying is "lose ground to gain ground/leverage"), and he doesn't go straight for the linebacker. He just does nothing.
In the end, the safety and both linebackers go untouched into the backfield and you have a 4-yard loss.
It is not hyperbole to say this has gone on for five weeks and it has not improved. It should have been cleaned up three weeks ago with proper coaching, and if the players gave a crap (which is up for debate at this point). These are plays you can learn and clean up just by jogging through. "If the defense aligns like this, this is what we're going to do." You keep going through that until you've hit just about every possible situation, and the players know how to handle it. That obviously has not happened.
3-6-NE 29 (13:48) (Shotgun) M.Jones sacked at NE 16 for -13 yards (M.Koonce).
This wasn't Mac Jones' fault, although that's the narrative. Yes, Wynn gave up some initial pressure, but he was going to ride Koone inside across the face of Jones, which the QB anticipated. Jones was going to roll to his right, and probably hit DeVante Parker. The problem was Onwenu. He meant well, but his "help" shoved Koonce right where Jones wanted to flee and make a play. Not a great play by Onwenu, but it happens.
1-10-NE 25 (9:00) T.Montgomery right end pushed ob at NE 25 for no gain (S.Webb). PENALTY on NE-M.Onwenu, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at NE 25 - No Play.
There could have been three holds called on this play: Onwenu, Wynn and Smith. But, again, major blocking assignment issues.
What should happen:
Agholor: Ride the corner.
Smith: Help on the OLB, then get the ILB.
Wynn: Reach the OLB.
Onwenu: Reach the DT.
Andrews: Help Strange on RDT if needed, get the ILB.
Strange: Reach the RDT.
Brown: Cut backside end.
What happens:
Agholor gets beaten on his block.
Onwenu loses leverage because he never gets to the frontside shoulder of the DT. This is the key block. If Ownenu can turn the DT, a cutback lane is there.
For some reason, Brown thinks he is responsible for the backside linebacker, which he has no chance in hell at blocking. It should have been Andrews. That has to be coaching.
Another debacle. Stuffed run, holding penalty.
1-10-LV 47 (5:16) M.Jones pass short middle intended for K.Bourne INTERCEPTED by L.Masterson at LV 38. L.Masterson to NE 32 for 30 yards (C.Strange).
Jones should and does have Kendrick Bourne open in the middle of the zone, but Andrews gets driven back by rookie NT Neil Farrell (mid-round guy I wanted for the Patriots) and Jones is moved off his spot, can't deliver in rhythm.
What happens:
Both Smith and Stevenson run to the same side of the field. Guessing Stevenson was supposed to go the other way, towards the middle and that might have occupied the linebacker. Instead, he reads Jones' eyes, Jones can't see him behind Wynn and the end, and the QB doesn't see the LB.
1-10-NE 25 (3:20) M.Jones pass incomplete deep left to D.Parker [A.Robertson].
I'll let Dan Orlovsky take this one, which was a complete mental mistake by Wynn:
Disconnected
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) August 27, 2022
Lacking the details
Not doing the little
This doesn’t look like the Pats OL we’re accustomed to. pic.twitter.com/9aR3vHqluL
The million-dollar question is, how fixable is this?
First of all, it should not be at this point right now. That's not even debatable. A good offensive line coach (i.e. Dante Scarnecchia or Carm Bricillo) would have cleaned up this mess by now, especially if they had a few more practices (Belichick's decision). The line looks like it is not well coached. There is no attention to detail. There are missed assignments on every play. At this point, this looks too complicated for this group, at last with this coaching staff and whatever they are working on.
They aren't that far away, it truly is one or two missed assignments on every play. It should be fixable, but the fact that it hasn't been should set off alarm bells for Belichick. Something is seriously wrong, and it's the coaching. If Matt Patricia can do the job of coaching the offensive line, then let him do it full-time. There are going to be five starters and another 4-5 on the bench. That's 9-10 players plus practice squad. One inexperienced guy like Billy Yates can not handle that many players. Patricia needs to be doing it full-time, if he is capable. That means someone else, namely Belichick, needs to take over being the coordinator/playcaller in order to get the line cleaned up.
Things are not going to get better if the Patriots continue on as is. Something needs to change. If Belichick is deadset and stubborn about Patricia being the OC, then beg Scarnecchia to come back. He would get this straightened out. Talent is not the issue. It's all coaching. Give the line a chance with a proper coach. If they don't get the line fixed, the offense is indeed hopeless.
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACKS
Mac Jones: The only play I didn’t like was the no-shot throw out of bounds to DeVante Parker. Even the interception was not all his fault, and he made four nice throws on the final drive. Jones will always need a pocket to step up into or his passes will lose energy.
Brian Hoyer: No-doubt backup. Still throws a nice ball, with that pre-throw pat.
Bailey Zappe: Needs a lot of work and, as opposed to Garoppolo and Stidham, it’s hard to see him ever reaching starter status in the NFL. Small and plays fast.
RUNNING BACKS
Ty Montgomery: His injury is a big blow as he was very much in their plans. Hopefully he’ll only miss a month. They need him to get easy yardage.
Kevin Harris: Finaly showed some nice running ability in the last game, but the fumble was a killer. Enough to make the team? Tough to see that.
Pierre Strong: Looks like a receiver with his slight build. Needs a lot of time in the weight room going forward.
JJ Taylor: Very boom or bust. With the Montgomery injury, they need him to step up.
Rhamondre Stevenson: Like Damien Harris, a huge victim of the line’s issues. Can’t tell if he’s better in Year 2 because he never gets a chance to show it.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Drew Desjarlais: Barely played. After a promising start, would be fortunate to make this team.
James Ferentz: Vastly improved at center over previous years. Guard another story.
Yasir Durant: Played four snaps. Long ways from the team giving up a late-round pick to get him.
David Andrews: Really feel for him with this group, which seems uninspired and confused.
Kody Russey: Short and needs practice squad time.
Yodny Cajuste: On the practice field, he’s fine. In games, he’s very shaky and it’s hard to have confidence it will click at this point.
Will Sherman: Most improved on the team from a year ago. Pretty good run blocker.
Justin Herron: Has really struggled when given a chance.
Trent Brown: On some plays, you wonder what he’s doing and if he’s really trying.
Chasen Hines: Love his feet and has a future, but needs work.
Mike Onwenu: Having a tough time with the zone blocking. He’s a power blocker.
Isaiah Wynn: Lack of attention to detail in his craft. Same thing for multiple years.
Cole Strange: Physical skills are undeniable and he seems close, but he gets manhandled on some plays due to his overaggressiveness.
Arlington Hambright: Has faded the last two weeks.
RECEIVERS
DeVante Parker: Raiders ate him alive this week with physical coverage. Not a good sign going forward.
Jakobi Meyers: He’s the best down-to-down receiver the Patriots have. That’s not a great thing.
Hunter Henry: Rock-solid possession receiver, especially in red zone. But not a difference-maker.
Kendrick Bourne: Has completely lost his confidence and you wonder if these coaches now how to give it back to him.
Tre Nixon: Starred against the Patriots cornerbacks and scrubs from other teams. That’s about it.
Josh Hammond: Nothing notable about his play.
Nelson Agholor: With Thornton injury, the only speed left on this roster, but can he run more than just go routes?
Lil'Jordan Humphrey: Belichick loves him but the definition of just a guy. Patriots need explosiveness at this roster spot. Not special teams.
Jonnu Smith: Looks the same as last year. Will be naked bootlegs or bust. Can’t get open down field.
Matt Sokol: Rock-solid third tight end.
Jalen Wydermyer: Just got here.
DEFENSE
EDGE
Matthew Judon: Looks fresh and dominating. Can he do it for 18 weeks this year?
DaMarcus Mitchell: A complete freak athlete who is showing that he can play.
Anfernee Jennings: Nice comeback year but hasn’t beaten anyone of substance. Risks looking invisible during the season.
Josh Uche: If he doesn’t win with speed around the edge, which he can, you wonder if can hold up with his small size.
INTERIOR DL
Henry Anderson: Total pro but Patriots need more impact.
Deatrich Wise: Rock solid. Is he losing run defense snaps to Barmore?
Daniel Ekuale: Played really well in this game but a tough numbers game.
LaBryan Ray: If he stays healthy, the hidden gem. Can rush and play the run.
Davon Godchaux: Haven’t seen anything that justifies his extension. Haven’t seen anything that says he’s not their best option, either.
Sam Roberts: Raw but has some snap in his game.
Carl Davis: Should teach a two-gapping glass to his teammates, Godchaux included.
Lawrence Guy: It very much pains me to say this, but the Patriots might have to start looking at other options because he no longer holds up against double teams like he once did.
Christian Barmore: Due to Guy’s decline, the Patriots have to be thinking about playing him on three downs now. Has improved vs. run.
Jeremiah Pharms: Nothing notable.
LINEBACKERS
Raekwon McMillan: Starting to play faster and looks like a starter. Embarrassing the coaches have played Tavai over him. Unjustified.
Cam McGrone: Has improved his summer, but it might be too little too late for a roster spot.
Mack Wilson: Really like him. Needs more attention to detail, especially in coverage.
Nate Wieland: Solid player. Too bad there’s no spot.
Ja'Whaun Bentley: Raiders know him and took advantage. If he doesn’t hit on a blitz, he can struggle.
Jahlani Tavai: The 2022 winner of the I Have No Idea What Belichick Sees In This Guy award. Wilson and McMillan should not be losing any snaps to him in base.
CORNERBACKS
Jack Jones: Good to see the young buck make a couple plays in this game. Needs a year of growth, physically and as a player. But something good there.
Brad Hawkins: Not notable.
Jonathan Jones: The more I see him on the outside, the more I think this is solely because the Patriots are bad at cornerback. Love the player though. To be their best, they need him at slot. Trade for a boundary corner.
Myles Bryant: Love him as a sixth DB, but he should not be starting at slot.
Terrance Mitchell: A pro, but very limited.
Marcus Jones: Very small. Will have to make a position for him, aka The Honey Badger, but he’s not really a CB or a S.
Jalen Mills: The more I see, the more he’s a No. 2 and any attempt to elevate him is out of desperation.
SAFETIES
Adrian Phillips: Love him, and I really don’t like him losing snaps to Dugger.
Jabrill Peppers: I’m not sure he’s shown enough to warrant a roster spot. Physical, but fairly slow.
Brenden Schooler: Bill’s binkie.
Devin McCourty: No question he’s lost a step but still no one I would rather have in the middle of the field.
Joshuah Bledsoe: Has really impressed this summer. Nice skills and knows how to play. Where does he fit, especially if they want Peppers?
Kyle Dugger: Gives up way too many plays like that playaction, which the Raiders broadcast called “atrocious.” That’s the same play he’s seen the Patriots run for three years! He’s a go forward player. Will he be more than that?
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
THREE UP
Matthew Judon: He's unquestionably the best player on this team right now.
Jack Jones: Separated the receiver from the ball a few times. Has nose for the ball.
Mac Jones: Thought the QB played well. It's just everything else is a mess around him.
THREE DOWN
Isaiah Wynn: Giving up 5.5 pressures against backups is embarrassing, and possibly enough to get him off the roster. But Patriots have zero good alternatives.
Kyle Dugger: He needs to get beyond those mindless plays that he gives up every few games. He's not a youngster anymore.
Trent Brown: Hard to tell what he's doing on the field at times. Bad sign before the season even starts.