Breaking down the biggest sequences in the Patriots' stunning 30-24 loss to the Raiders using analysis of the coaches' film. The plays/discussion points:
- Execution errors by Cole Strange, Mac Jones and Rhamondre Stevenson costing the Patriots four points;
- Pass rush/coverage issues on the Raiders' game-tying drive;
- Route issues/poor choices leading up to the final indignity.
1-2-LV 2 (12:47) (Shotgun) R.Stevenson up the middle to LV 1 for 1 yard (K.Peko; L.Masterson).
2-1-LV 1 (12:02) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass incomplete short right to J.Smith.
Timeout #1 by NE at 11:58.
3-1-LV 1 (11:58) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass incomplete short right to N.Agholor (A.Robertson).
Timeout #2 by NE at 11:55.
4-1-LV 1 (11:55) (Run formation) PENALTY on NE-J.Smith, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at LV 1 - No Play.
4-6-LV 6 (11:55) N.Folk 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-J.Cardona, Holder-M.Palardy.
Patriots are sitting on the doorstep after Jakobi Meyers draws a pass interference penalty, and this sequence was coulda, woulda, shoulda.
On first down, this was part bad execution, part bad luck. The poor execution was from Cole Strange, who failed to get inside leverage on DT Kyle Peko and he ultimately made the play. But Peko was also helped by LB Luke Masterson, who was also in the hole and helped on the tackle — only because Trent Brown threw him into that gap. That's just bad luck.
On second down, I didn't love Tyquan Thornton running another slow-ass clearout route — WHY DO PATRIOTS RECEIVERS THINK THEY HAVE ALL DAY TO RUN THEIR CRAPPY ROUTES, ESPECIALLY IN THE RED ZONE — but that wasn't the main issue, although it clouded, for Mac Jones, if the CB on Thornton was a threat in trap coverage (hey, Tyquan, get your ass out of there). Even still, Jones just flat-out missed Smith on a pass that wasn't even close. On the end zone view, it had no chance. Zero excuses for Jones there
Of course, the Patriots need to take a timeout after that play just because they're a mess, and following the timeout, they still can't run the play right. Jones acts out after the play because Rhamondre Stevenson ran into Agholor's slant path when the back is supposed to go the other way.
Belichick calls a timeout before a play to Meyers that actually scored a touchdown, leading to Jones pitching another fit coming off the field and while he talked to the coaches. That's wasted energy and a distraction. Jones acting out again likely contributed to him not running the 4th down play correctly. Jones is responsible for making sure everyone is set before they run the play. Another play that's on him.
I was very disappointed by Jones' demeanor in the first half. I thought, especially in this sequence, that Jones was completely out of control and it cost his team to the point I would not have been surprised if Jones was benched for Bailey Zappe to start the second half. I like the first and competitiveness to a point and Jones is by far the best QB for this team all things being equal, but this has gotten out of hand. The coaches need to talk with Jones and need to see where he's at. Enough's enough. Either Jones grows up, shuts up and plays ball, or put Zappe in.
4-10-LV 19 (1:54) (Shotgun) D.Carr pass short left to M.Hollins to LV 31 for 12 yards (Ma.Jones).
1-10-LV 31 (1:29) (No Huddle, Shotgun) D.Carr pass short left to M.Hollins ran ob at LV 44 for 13 yards (Ma.Jones).
1-10-LV 44 (1:25) (Shotgun) D.Carr pass short right to J.Jacobs to 50 for 6 yards (M.Bryant).
2-4-50 (1:05) (No Huddle, Shotgun) D.Carr pass deep middle to D.Waller to NE 30 for 20 yards (D.McCourty).
1-10-NE 30 (:44) (No Huddle, Shotgun) D.Carr pass incomplete short right.
2-10-NE 30 (:37) (Shotgun) D.Carr pass deep left to K.Cole for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
The Replay Official reviewed the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling on the field stands.
Outside of the final play, where Derek Carr and Keelan Cole just made a great throw and catch as Marcus Jones failed to execute his coverage responsibilities, I did not have an issue with how the Patriots played coverage on this drive. The only goal is not to give up a deep touchdown, especially one that happens quick.
Jones had good coverage on the 4th down play, Mack Hollins and Carr were just a little better. Kyle Dugger was also the flat/curl player who had responsibilities carrying TE Darren Waller down the field.
The same thing happened on the next play, and you can see Jones taking issue with Dugger not giving underneath support.
My biggest issue on this entire drive was with the pass rush. If you're going to play conservative in the back end, you hope the pass rush will get home soon — but the issue here is the Patriots kept having Josh Uche (twice) and then Matthew Judon hit the TE off the line. Considering the TE is probably going to run an inside route (and be tackled in bounds), don't you want to encourage that? And why on earth are you rushing five at Carr, but the fifth (Uche/Judon) is coming late? You don't think, if the Patriots just straight up rushed five against a bad RT, and two backup guards, that they get at least one sack here? That made no sense to me.
On the Waller 20-yard pass, Dugger got beat when he looked over the wrong shoulder. If he executes better there, and he struggles with this a lot in space, he probably knocks the pass down or intercepts it. He got beat.
1-10-NE 25 (:32) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short right to J.Meyers to NE 33 for 8 yards (D.Perryman).
Timeout #2 by NE at 00:25.
2-2-NE 33 (:25) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass incomplete short left to N.Agholor.
3-2-NE 33 (:20) (Shotgun) R.Stevenson up the middle to NE 45 for 12 yards (M.Crosby; D.Harmon).
Timeout #3 by NE at 00:14.
1-10-NE 45 (:14) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass incomplete short right [C.Jones].
2-10-NE 45 (:10) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass incomplete deep right to J.Meyers (A.Robertson) [M.Crosby].
3-10-NE 45 (:03) (Shotgun) R.Stevenson up the middle to LV 32 for 23 yards. Lateral to J.Meyers to LV 40 for -8 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by LV-C.Jones at NE 48. C.Jones for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN
This was just a debacle ... and not just the final play.
The Patriots had a great opportunity on first down, against Tampa 2 coverage, to hit Hunter Henry down the middle near midfield but, again (this happens multiple times a game) the route spacing is terrible because Thornton doesn't know what he's doing down the field. If he can't do it right, why is he on the field? Thornton and Henry almost run into each other down the field. If there's proper spacing, then Jones reads LB Denzel Perryman. If he takes the under (Thornton) he throws over the top to Henry (what you're hoping for). If he takes Henry, you throw to Thornton. But Thornton was much too far up the field.
Like the pass rush on the previous drive, I do not agree with having Henry help out in pass protection trying to win this game when the score is tied. You have to go for the win, put your best receivers out there. I don't need Henry chipping and going into the flat. Three receivers out in a route in this situation is bad football.
Don't love the draw with only one timeout left because you now have to burn it, but the game was still there to be won with another 15 yards. One sideline pass is all it takes. But Stevenson runs into Perryman, instead of using the Meyers rub. Considering his actions on the final play and combining it with this pass route ... I now wonder in hindsight if Stevenson was concussed on the draw play (Maxx Crosby really hit him hard near the head trying to strip the ball). Then again, Stevenson also ran the wrong route on the goal line in the first half so...
On the penultimate play, I didn't love Meyers' route or Jones' throw as he was getting hit.
Even before the final play, this entire sequence was a debacle. With two timeouts and only needed a field goal, the Patriots should have won this game. It was just an epic failure.