Considering the conditions (don't care what anyone says ... when the field goal posts are swaying on the all-22 end zone view, it's not a good day for passing) and the opposing defense, the Patriots' offense showed improvement putting up nearly 300 yards, 13 first downs and averaging 5.0 yards per play while Mac Jones completed 85.2 percent of his passes and 9.1 yards per attempt (yes, I know, there were a lot of empty calories on those but his expected completion percentage was 74.7%) in their 10-3 victory over the Jets.
Keep in mind that two weeks prior, on a 76-degree day with 11 mph winds at MetLife Stadium, the vaunted Bills' offense put up 317 yards, 19 first downs, 5.2 yards per play, and Josh Allen completed 52.9 percent of his passes with 2 INTs and 6.6 yards per attempt.
And three weeks ago at MetLife in 59 degrees with a 1 mph wind, these were the Patriots' totals: 288 yards, 19 first downs, 3.8 average per pay, 68.6% completions (1 INT), 5.5 yards per attempt.
So, considering all that context, you could say the offense made some progress out of the bye week.
But with just three offensive points (plus two missed field goals), it wasn't good enough and certainly won't be against better quarterbacks and offenses in the final seven games, starting with Thursday night against the Vikings.
The Patriots had a huge problem inside Jets territory with drives penetrating the 14, 7 and 22 yard lines. Yet they only came away with three points.
Not good and unacceptable if the Patriots want to make the postseason.
QB Mac Jones is a convenient punching bag, as is offensive coordinator Matt Patricia. Let's take a deep dive into all those plays — and the controversial 4th-and-3 run — with an analysis of the coaches film to see where the issues reside, and then get into unit ratings, player grades and 5 up/5 down:
FIRST QUARTER
1-10-NYJ 29 (3:32) R.Stevenson left guard to NYJ 27 for 2 yards (Q.Williams).
Don't mind the playcall — wish they had a fullback for these types of games — but both Isaiah Wynn and Jonnu Smith fail to sustain their blocks, leading to an unsuccessful play.
2-8-NYJ 27 (2:58) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short left to R.Stevenson to NYJ 20 for 7 yards (C.Mosley, L.Joyner). NE-D.Andrews was injured during the play. He is Out.
Really like this playcall from Patrica, kind of triple-option look with a fake handoff to Stevenson, fake slip screen to Kendrick Bourne, and then the screen ultimately to Stevenson. This play had more meat on the bone but David Andrews, Mike Onwenu and Smith all missed their blocks down the field.
3-1-NYJ 20 (2:21) J.Smith left end to NYJ 19 for 1 yard. FUMBLES, and recovers at NYJ 15.
Two for two for Patricia because I loved this playcall giving Smith a carry — I had been lobbying for that. Maybe the experiment is over after his unforced fumble where the Patriots were fortunate to get it back. Still, a first down and, so far, a really good red zone sequence from Patricia, but the execution has left yards on the field.
1-10-NYJ 15 (1:43) (Shotgun) R.Stevenson right tackle to NYJ 10 for 5 yards (Q.Williams). PENALTY on NE, Illegal Formation, 5 yards, enforced at NYJ 15 - No Play.
Here we go with the grenade offense — a different explosion every 2 or 3 plays. Stevenson gets a solid carry on first down but Kendrick Bourne again lines up offsides. How many times?!
1-15-NYJ 20 (1:24) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass incomplete short middle to J.Meyers (M.Carter).
I had this as a drop because Bourne's hands appeared to be upside down and made it more difficult. Bourne is probably a better option but Sauce Gardner was lurking. The pass could have been a hair quicker, but I ruled this a drop. More yards left on the field.
2-15-NYJ 20 (1:19) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short right to R.Stevenson pushed ob at NYJ 14 for 6 yards (M.Carter).
Most people probably didn't like this play but it's Stevenson against a slot corner (Michael Carter) in the flat. If he breaks the tackle, he would challenge the end zone. No one else is there. Hat tip to Carter for making the tackle but you'd really like a jitterbug back like James White in this spot.
3-9-NYJ 14 (:48) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short left to K.Bourne to NYJ 6 for 8 yards (C.Mosley).
Immediate pressure allowed by Wynn does not let Jones try for Henry who is open (and then throws a hissy fit in the end zone after the play). The checkdown to Bourne was fine as he breaks a tackle and gets close to the first down marker. Belichick should have challenged this spot after the quarter break, especially since he used a timeout to get the field goal team on the field for the only offensive points of the game.
SECOND QUARTER
1-10-NYJ 27 (7:28) R.Stevenson right guard to NYJ 25 for 2 yards (Qu.Williams, C.Mosley).
Another red zone drive starts with an unsuccessful gain as Henry and Strange fail on their blocks.
2-8-NYJ 25 (6:58) (Shotgun) M.Jones sacked at NYJ 33 for -8 yards (Q.Williams).
No chance. Sack on James Ferentz.
3-16-NYJ 33 (6:16) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short right to R.Stevenson to NYJ 15 for 18 yards (M.Carter).
Incredible individual play by Stevenson, who breaks the LB tackle (last drive it was a DB).
1-10-NYJ 15 (5:29) R.Stevenson left guard to NYJ 12 for 3 yards (C.Mosley).
There was more to this run but Strange is beaten by a practice squad DL (Tanzel Smart).
2-7-NYJ 12 (4:48) R.Stevenson right tackle to NYJ 7 for 5 yards (A.Gardner).
Jets were loaded up against this run and it should have gone for nothing, but Henry made a great adjustment and Stevenson was Stevenson.
3-2-NYJ 7 (4:05) (Shotgun) M.Jones scrambles right tackle to NYJ 4 for 3 yards (M.Carter). PENALTY on NE-Y.Cajuste, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at NYJ 7 - No Play.
Jones wanted, I think, Meyers but wisely saw the safety lurking and Quinnen Williams timing his jump for a pass deflection. Jones was right to pull the ball down as Yodny Cajuste allows pressure and holds. This should have been first and goal at the 5 thanks to Jones' heady play (the one plus play we had for him) but the penalty wiped it out.
3-12-NYJ 17 (3:36) (Shotgun) M.Jones sacked at NYJ 26 for -9 yards (C.Lawson).
No one is readily open as Brown is thrown into Jones' legs, but put the sack on the QB here because he should have turfed it in front of Stevenson or Henry to save the yardage that ended up mattering on Nick Folk's 44-yard attempt off the crossbar.
THIRD QUARTER
1-10-NYJ 37 (11:57) M.Jones pass short left to D.Harris ran ob at NYJ 22 for 15 yards (D.Reed).
Love it. Another productive play from Harris in his short stint.
1-10-NYJ 22 (11:35) (Shotgun) M.Jones sacked at NYJ 29 for -7 yards (M.Clemons).
No change. Both tackles share this one.
2-17-NYJ 29 (10:53) (Shotgun) R.Stevenson right guard to NYJ 30 for -1 yards (N.Shepherd). PENALTY on NE-J.Ferentz, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at NYJ 29 - No Play.
Not only does Strange run into a brick wall pulling and lands on his butt, but Ferentz is called for holding. That escalated quickly. First and 10 at the 22 to 2nd and 27 at the 39.
2-27-NYJ 39 (10:32) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short right to R.Stevenson to NYJ 34 for 5 yards (J.Johnson).
I mean, you're just trying to get back into field goal range at this point.
3-22-NYJ 34 (9:51) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short left to D.Parker to NYJ 25 for 9 yards (D.Reed)
Bit of a low pass from Jones, but it wasn't going anywhere if he's hit in stride. Folk misses this kick wide left.
______________________
1-10-NYJ 45 (6:16) (Shotgun) R.Stevenson left end to NYJ 43 for 2 yards (V.Curry).
Outside zone run out of shotgun — think Patricia is trying to kill me now — goes for little as Brown doesn't get after his block and Stevenson waits too long looking for the cutback lane.
2-8-NYJ 43 (5:41) (No Huddle, Shotgun) R.Stevenson right guard to NYJ 45 for -2 yards (C.Mosley, T.Smart).
This play was FUBAR. Jones makes a check at the line but it seems like Cajuste and Onwenu are running another play because they are very passive, almost like pass blocking, and Stevenson is dropped behind the line. The offense is not on the same page. This is getting worse.
3-10-NYJ 45 (5:02) (Shotgun) M.Jones sacked at NE 49 for -6 yards (B.Huff).
Cajuste lands up on his backside on this sack. If Jones had just a little time, he had some developing options. Protection is simply not good enough.
______________________
4-3-NYJ 36 (:13) (Shotgun) R.Stevenson left end to NYJ 36 for no gain (C.Mosley).
Agholor fails at the key block on the edge (where's LJ Humphrey when you need him?!) and Strange delays in getting to the second level for no reason. Just an awful play from the call and personnel to the execution.
This is our final tally...
Player execution/penalties: 5
Run blocking: 4
Pass blocking/pressure: 3
Coaching (playcalls/decisions): 3
QB play: 1 (red zone sack)
Basically, everything needs to be tightened up, and the QB is way down the list.
Here are the positional ratings against the Jets:
OFFENSE
Quarterback (3 out of 5)
Had only one plus play (scramble erased by penalty) and 2 minus plays (red zone sack, not connecting with Meyers as he left pocket to the right) in the game, which is decidedly C territory for us. Gets extra points for managing the ball well against a tough defense — didn't have one turnover-worthy play. Thought his arm looked better out of the bye. His Completion Percentage Above Expectation of 10.4 ranked 8th in the league and was Jones' best mark since Week 11 against Atlanta last year (had a team-best 10.2 in Week against the Ravens. Get the man some better protection (35.3 percent this week ... still too much).
Running backs (5 out of 5)
Damien Harris only played 15 snaps but he had five explosive plays during his short stint. Why didn't he play more? ... Stevenson's two big YAC plays in the pass game were huge for this offense.
Receivers (1 out of 5)
Every single player had at least one negative play as the group had a stuff, two penalties, two drops and another five minus blocks. Needs to be a lot cleaner going forward, especially the run blocking from the tight ends. I wonder if the Patriots explore bringing in a better blocking TE to help in run-heavy games. Not sure if practice squad TE Matt Sokol is that kind of guy.
Offensive line (1.5 out of 5)
It was a little better than last week but it's still not sustainable. ... One big worry: Onwenu had 6 of his 7 minus plays (previous high: 5) came in the second half. When that happens, you worry about an injury. He is not on the injury report, but that often doesn't tell the whole story when it comes to linemen. ... Strange gets a lot of help from the centers in pass protection, so his numbers are good there, but he's punching out of weight class in the running game against some of these teams. ... Great news for the Patriots: after facing the defensive lines of the Bears, Jets (twice) and Colts, the competition can't get any tougher. They should improve just for that reason going forward.
DEFENSE
Defensive line (5 out of 5)
Completely dominated the Jets' offensive line in every way imaginable. Everyone was generating pressure and the run fits were great. They're rolling at this point.
Linebackers (5 out of 5)
This was the best game out of this group I have seen in sometime, probably back a few years. Helps to play the same team in a tight timeframe, but play diagnosis, anticipation, getting off blocks, even pass drops were just on point against the Jets for all of them: Ja'Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Mack Wilson (used to spy Wilson in second half) and Raekwon McMillan. ... Now, that being said, this was their type of game in a phone booth. They need to prove themselves against faster teams with multiple weapons and a good QB. We'll see. So far, so good. ... Tavai was especially excellent. Had a great pass drop in a fire zone blitz that allowed Kyle Dugger to get in for a big sack.
Secondary (4 out of 5)
Jabrill Peppers got lucky Wilson sailed TE Tyler Conklin into Devin McCourty's chest because that was going to be a big play in the game and Peppers was burned off the line. Jack Jones allowed the 34-yard punt/catch, which was tough because he was in proper position playing Cover 3. He usually reacts better. The wind was a real factor on those passes (Agholor and Mims both mistimed jumps on well-thrown balls). ... Good to see Dugger (run tackle, sack, pass breakup) and Jonathan Jones (pass tackle, pass breakup) back to their impactful ways. Big challenge this week.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
FIVE UP
RB Damien Harris: Filled up my sheet on just 15 plays. Needs to play a little more.
LB Jahlani Tavai: Still think the Patriots can do better here athletically (Devin Lloyd anyone?) but Tavai is freaking smart as hell.
ED Matthew Judon: Ho-hum, another 2.5 pressures and 5 impactful plays.
ED Deatrich Wise: Couple of edge issues but 4 pressures and 6 impactful plays.
PR Marcus Jones: Set up the wall return very well and the kid can scoot.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
FIVE DOWN
RT Yodny Cajuste: 1.5 sacks and 4.5 pressure while ending up on your butt on one sack isn't good enough.
LG Cole Strange: Another member of the butt club. I'm sure he's very thankful not to see Quinnen Williams for the rest of the season. The nightmare will drive Strange all offseason.
RG Mike Onwenu: A rare off game for him.
K Nick Folk: Tough conditions, but he's normally money in anything.
WR Kendrick Bourne: Just for lining up offsides ... again. C'mon man!
