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Breaking down the biggest sequences in the Patriots' 22-17 win over the Jets using analysis of the coaches' film. The plays/discussion points:
- Jakobi Meyers' role in the failed 4th down and pick-6;
- How the Patriots got their desperately needed touchdown;
- Big defensive stand/punt return to get it to two scores.
4-1-NYJ 21 (2:00) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass incomplete short left to J.Meyers
1-10-NYJ 25 (:37) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short left intended for T.Thornton INTERCEPTED by M.Carter at NYJ 16. M.Carter for 84 yards, TOUCHDOWN NULLIFIED by Penalty.
PENALTY on NYJ-J.Franklin-Myers, Roughing the Passer, 13 yards, enforced at NYJ 25 - No Play.
It's impossible to tell the tale of this game without talking about two of the Patriots' biggest offensive failures — and where they are as an offense. These were two really good plays by Matt Patricia — especially the fourth down — and you make the argument, it's there on film, that Jakobi Meyers was more at fault on these two plays than Mac Jones does, despite the way it looked live or on TV.
The fourth down play is actually, for one of the first times all season, a true run-pass option play (RPO). I have my issues with this type of play, with a QB like Jones, and how it might affect him, but Patricia was right in the end because the play is there for a touchdown.
There was a real run option on this play, as the linemen all run block, and so do Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne to the bottom. If the Patriots had numbers inside, they could have given the ball to the back. I do think Jones at first had the thought of a running a naked bootleg for the first down, but the Jets had that covered.
That left him with the pass play. At first, I thought Jones was at fault for not just taking Hunter Henry in the flat — and maybe he should have, that play is there. But the home run on the play is also there. Meyers, it appears, is supposed to fake a pick play and, then, if the Jets jump Henry, which they do, then Meyers is supposed to keep going for a wide-open touchdown. That's what Jones sees, which is why he doesn't just go to Henry. But Meyers inexplicably just stops, which throws Jones off and he scrambles just to make a play — it's why it looked so ugly at the end.
On the pick-six, it ended up being the same coverage — Cover 2 pre-snap, Cover 3 post-snap — that Jones threw his pick vs. the Bears. I don't know if that means anything, could be just a fun fact.
But again on this play, Jones and Meyers read the coverage differently. Jones sees it as Cover 3 and he expects Meyers to break outside to an open area due to the outside route being a vertical clear out. But Meyers reads it as a Cover 2, so he basically settles into the zone. Jones is right and Meyers is wrong, ultimately. Now, Jones still might have thrown a pick-six even if Meyers ran the right route because the Jets were in a little bit of a trap coverage, but that's impossible to say.
1-10-NE 38 (14:56) R.Stevenson up the middle pushed ob at NYJ 27 for 35 yards (C.Mosley). R13
1-10-NYJ 27 (14:16) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short left to T.Thornton pushed ob at NYJ 14 for 13 yards (D.Reed). P14
1-10-NYJ 14 (13:47) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short right to J.Meyers to NYJ 5 for 9 yards (D.Reed).
2-1-NYJ 5 (13:03) M.Cannon reported in as eligible. R.Stevenson up the middle to NYJ 5 for no gain (K.Alexander; D.Reed).
3-1-NYJ 5 (12:16) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass incomplete short right to J.Meyers [Q.Williams].
4-1-NYJ 5 (12:12) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short right to J.Meyers for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
After the debacle that was the end of the first half for the offense, the open to the second half was crucial.
Really like putting Jonnu Smith at fullback here — the Patriots should do more of that, if not import a real fullback altogether given the issues with the offensive line — but Rhamondre Stevenson makes the play with two broken tackles.
On the first passing play, the Patriots chip both ends to finally give Jones a really pocket. Tyquan Thornton runs a good route — would like to see him keep working back to the ball more — and Jones' pass has enough steam to get there.
Good, safe play on first down to Meyers as the Patriots have numbers on the outside.
Ferentz gets driven back and Trent Brown gets toppled on 2nd down.
On third down, nice job by the Jets switching coverage. No one is open.
On fourth down, Hunter Henry easily could have been called for offensive PI. The late motion for Meyers from the RB spot was a nice wrinkle, but really the Jets are screwed up from the start and leads to Meyers being wide open.
Huge, huge TD.
1-10-NYJ 17 (5:19) J.Robinson right guard to NYJ 18 for 1 yard (D.Godchaux).
PENALTY on NYJ-N.Herbig, Offensive Holding, 8 yards, enforced at NYJ 17 - No Play.
1-18-NYJ 9 (4:58) Z.Wilson pass incomplete short right to J.Robinson (M.Judon).
2-18-NYJ 9 (4:52) (Shotgun) Z.Wilson pass incomplete deep right.
3-18-NYJ 9 (4:43) (Shotgun) T.Johnson up the middle to NYJ 11 for 2 yards (M.Wilson, M.Bryant).
4-16-NYJ 11 (4:03) B.Mann punts 48 yards to NE 41, Center-T.Hennessy. Ma.Jones to NYJ 27 for 32 yards (M.Clemons).
The score is 16-10 Patriots at this point and the Jets are pinned deep in their own territory. A quick stop would be nice.
The Jets are called for a very ticky-tack holding penalty on first down considering the held player, Davon Godchaux, is free enough to make a stuff (1 yard).
The deflected pass by Matthew Judon was one of the biggest plays in the game. The back is wide open, and there is room to run — possibly for a first down. But Judon gets a paw on it.
On second down, there was just great coverage all over the field — even Anfernee Jennings came off the rush to take away a throwback pass lane — leading to a throwaway.
Jets give up on 3rd down, and the Patriots set up a punt return that was perfectly executed. Jabrill Peppers makes a crushing block, and so does DaMarcus Mitchell. Patriots start at the 27-yard line and already have a field goal in their pocket that made it two scores at 19-10.