Everyone seems to be debating whether Mac Jones or the blocking was at fault for some the six sacks that cost the Patriots points in their 10-3 win over the Jets on Sunday.
What does the coaches' film show?
The average snap-to-pressure time was 2.68 seconds on the sacks. That's very quick, but lacks context.
Overall, we fault the line with four of the sacks, the team execution on one, and Jones was responsible for perhaps the most costly sack when Nick Folk's field goal attempt was pushed back and went off the cross bar.
A look at the sacks with video analysis:
FIRST QUARTER
1-10-NE 25 (15:00) (Shotgun) M.Jones sacked at NE 18 for -7 yards (sack split by J.Franklin-Myers and Qu.Williams).
Snap to sack time: 2.07 seconds
Fault: Team.
The very first play of the game ... this one is a tough call. This was designed to be a quick pass, either to Damien Harris on the swing pass with blockers in front, or Jones had two backside slant options to Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry.
You could just downgrade Jones because the throw to Harris is there — Isaiah Wynn even executes the cut block on the end — with three blockers against three defenders (Cole Strange is getting out for a downfield block). The ball should go there. I like that play from Matt Patricia.
But for some reason, Jones wants to go to Henry, maybe to feed the big fella early. That could have been a point of emphasis coming out of the bye (it was for me). However, in what is still a major issue for this team, Henry is not looking when Jones wants to throw the ball to him. That should not be an issue, but it is (happens a lot with Henry). It's just a little slant into space. Henry looks initially, and then puts his head down.
I don't like the decision — Harris was the better play — but throwing to Henry should have been open for a solid opening pickup. He just wasn't looking. So I can't totally fault Jones. I'm putting this on the team's execution.
SECOND QUARTER
2-8-NYJ 25 (6:58) (Shotgun) M.Jones sacked at NYJ 33 for -8 yards (Q.Williams).
Time: 3.15 seconds
Fault: James Ferentz.
The first of the big sacks in Jets territory. Jones has Rhamondre Stevenson in the flat immediately but doesn't want to throw it, and he shouldn't because the Patriots have decent routes against the Jets' zone coverage ... but he can't get to them because James Ferentz is beaten fairly quickly by Quinnen Williams. Patriots need to protect better than this.
3-12-NYJ 17 (3:36) (Shotgun) M.Jones sacked at NYJ 26 for -9 yards (C.Lawson).
Time: 3.02 seconds
Fault: Jones.
There are a lot of issues on this play that show the lack of coordination in this passing game, especially the two outlets not making themselves available quick enough. Henry takes 3.07 seconds to turn his head around. Rhamondre Stevenson turns in 3.7 seconds — way after the play is over. That's just terrible.
While the protection is not good enough again, I do put this one on Jones because he has to manage this situation better. While they would be upper-level plays, Jones could throw with anticipation to either Nelson Agholor or Kendrick Bourne. Even if he doesn't like those plays in an effort to not force a turnover, at 3rd and 12 and field position a premium with the wind, Jones needs to at the very least throw the ball into the turf so it's a 34-yard field goal instead of 44 yards (missed off crossbar). He got happy feet on this play.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
THIRD QUARTER
1-10-NYJ 22 (11:35) (Shotgun) M.Jones sacked at NYJ 29 for -7 yards (M.Clemons)
Time: 2.40 seconds
Fault: Yodny Cajuste/Trent Brown.
Jones had no chance on this play as both tackles were easily beaten. It's a shame because Jakobi Meyers was coming open for a decent gain. Jones just had no protection.
3-10-NYJ 45 (5:02) (Shotgun) M.Jones sacked at NE 49 for -6 yards (B.Huff).
Time: 2.71 seconds
Fault: Cajuste
Deeper routes on this one and they had a chance, but Cajuste just got flat-out beat again. No chance. Jones could not move up on this one.
FOURTH QUARTER
1-10-NE 45 (9:01) M.Jones sacked at NE 34 for -11 yards (sack split by Qu.Williams and J.Franklin-Myers).
Time: 2.75
Fault: Ferentz/Smith
This is supposed to be a Zappe-esque max protect shot play off of playaction with just two men out in the route, but Jones had three Jets in his face by the time he turned around as Ferentz and Smith are both quickly beaten after the snap. This play had no chance.
In the end, I think this was a typical game for an NFL quarterback — they're never going to be perfect. The bigger issue continues to be the Patriots not protecting Jones well enough to make consistent plays down the field.
