Breaking down the biggest plays in the Patriots' 27-24 overtime loss to the Packers — and some that set up those plays — using analysis of the coaches' film. The plays/discussion points:
- Myles Bryant and Jonathan Jones both get out-leveraged on third down during game-tying touchdown drive;
- Matt Patricia's play-calling lapse on possible game-winning drive;
- Run blocking failures/Packers adjustments doom final drive.
FOURTH QUARTER
3-6-GB 29 (10:31) (Shotgun) A.Rodgers pass deep left to R.Cobb pushed ob at NE 47 for 24 yards (D.McCourty).
...
3-3-NE 13 (6:17) (Shotgun) A.Rodgers pass short right to R.Doubs for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
The Patriots have the 27th-ranked third-down defense through four games, and this was another instance where the unit couldn't get off the field in a crucial circumstance.
You do have to tip your cap to Matt LaFleur (nice design with a vertical clear-9out route to hold the safety against Randall Cobb's crosser) and Aaron Rodgers for delivering a perfect pass and not being affected by a good rush. But the Patriots also didn't play this as well as they could have.
As the coverage indicator motion shows, the Patriots are in man to man. The Patriots played a lot of Cover 1 Funnel — which Rodgers even talked about after the game — and this route took aim at this. Funnel is exactly what you think it would be: help to the inside so stay with outside leverage if you're in coverage.
Cobb gives a veteran head fake toward the middle of the field (also a viable route given this route combination — and this may have been a tendency breaker) Bryant falls for it. Bryant jumps to the inside, and Cobb breaks outside. That's all the space a QB like Rodgers needs. Just a huge, huge play when the Patriots could have gotten off the field,
On the next third down, Jones — the Patriots' best man coverage player — is on an island against the rookie Romeo Doubs. He has little help, and for that reason he lines up with outside leverage — he doesn't want to get beat outside where he has zero help. Right before the snap, Jones changes his stance to press man, but does not get a jam. Doubs beats him to the outside, and now Bryant is in trouble. The back-shoulder throw was obviously planned and it was too easy.
1-10-NE 25 (6:09) M.Cannon reported in as eligible. D.Harris left guard to NE 29 for 4 yards (R.Douglas; K.Clark).
2-6-NE 29 (5:23) B.Zappe sacked at NE 20 for -9 yards (J.Reed).
3-15-NE 20 (4:37) (Shotgun) B.Zappe pass short right to H.Henry to NE 26 for 6 yards (E.Stokes) [K.Nixon].
Patriots have a chance, like the Pittsburgh game to finish the game on offense. The first play was fine, but it could have been better.
Cole Strange loses leverage against Kenny Clark, and now he can't get to the second level for the linebacker. To make things worse, Clark makes the tackle.
Like in overtime, this is the key play. Patriots elect to go with playaction, unlike overtime. Lil'Jordan Humphrey is again on the field. Fine, if you want that because of the run/action you're going show, then you better run it right. They do not.
Humphrey goes in motion like they are about to run toss crack. Fine. Great. But the run action is NOT toss crack. It is draw/inside zone fake. This is a play-calling failure. Patricia did not make the run/action to the actual playfake. As a result, the linebackers do not fall for the playaction, and everyone is covered on the route. I don't have a huge issue with Bailey Zappe taking the sack because he would have been called for grounding because there was no way he could get out of the tackle box.
This play was screwed up from soup to nuts.
That leads to a checkdown on third down.
Another missed opportunity, possibly to win the game.
OVERTIME
1-10-NE 49 (8:16) M.Cannon reported in as eligible. D.Harris up the middle to GB 46 for 5 yards (J.Reed).
2-5-GB 46 (7:41) M.Cannon reported in as eligible. D.Harris left tackle to GB 46 for no gain (D.Lowry).
Timeout #1 by NE at 07:00.
3-5-GB 46 (7:00) (Shotgun) B.Zappe pass incomplete short right to H.Henry.
Another Humphrey drive. Joy.
Strange against gets out-leveraged on first down, on a run that could have been a lot better.
By the Packers' alignment, Strange should have an easy block in Jarran Reed, and David Andrews should be able to get to the second level and get LB Quay Walker. But Strange gets beaten to the inside, Andrews has to help him on Reed, Strange mistakenly leaves Reed, who makes the tackle. This play should have gone for a few more yards, which would have set up playaction better on second down.
Second down ... that's where I would have gone for the win, but the Patriots' blocking just gets beat on the play Patricia called (outside zone left). Andrews said the Packers adjusted to their zone blocking, and this is what he meant. Both Preston Smith and Reed slanted inside to mess up the Patriots' blocking — and because they're so new at it, they don't know how to adjust on the fly yet.
Instead of Strange adjusting to the Packers and switching his blocking to Smith instead of Reed, Strange hesitates and that allows Smith to penetrate and blow the play up.
On the backside of the play, Marcus Cannon, who is completely new to this scheme, doesn't give ground and is in no position to block DT Dean Lowry, which would have allowed Wynn to pick off Walker.
Smith and Walker make this play.
On third down (Bourne is in the game!), Nelson Agholor failed to execute his rub route for Hunter Henry. Period, end of story. Everything else, including the hold of Kendrick Bourne, is just window dressing. If Agholor picks some safety named Rudy Ford, the Patriots convert and they win the game.
PATRIOTS BRINGING BACK LB JAMIE COLLINS
The Patriots are bringing back an old friend, Jamie Collins, to help out the linebacking corp. Collins has been signed to the practice squad. Harvey Langhi was released from the practice squad.
Not sure if there was an injury (none was announced), but it appeared Mack Wilson was benched after 10 plays against the Packers. This was coming, given Wilson's poor play and Raekwon McMillan being out with an injury. It was so bad, the Patriots had to use Jahlani Tavai at ILB against Green Bay.
Mack Wilson: If the Patriots end up bringing game Jamie Collins (tried out last week), it will be because Wilson can't handle a larger role.
