This was the first time we've seen the Patriots' offensive starters in action (minus several key linemen), and the results weren't overwhelming with an 18-yard scoring drive off a turnover, and 60 yards on 17 plays on three drives (punt and strip sack).
But there was some good stuff going on. Breaking down each play with Mac Jones at QB with what we liked, didn't like and some takeaways:
1-10-GB 18 (12:49) (Shotgun) PENALTY on NE-T.Brown, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at GB 18 - No Play.
Starters:
QB Mac Jones, RB Rhamondre Stevenson, TE Hunter Henry, WR Kendrick Bourne, WR Juju Smith-Schuster, WR DeVante Parker. LT Trent Brown, LG Atonio Mafi, C David Andrews, RG Riley Reiff, RT Sidy Sow
Just kind of have to laugh. We wait all this time for Trent Brown to get back and assimilated into this offensive line ... and he jumps way offsides on his first play.
1-15-GB 23 (12:49) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short left to K.Bourne pushed ob at GB 19 for 4 yards (R.Douglas).
Simple quick gainer with the cornerback playing well off.
2-11-GB 19 (12:17) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short middle to K.Bourne to GB 6 for 13 yards (R.Douglas) [C.Wooden].
Liked: The RPO sucked in the strong safety and gave Jones an opening to deliver a strike.
Didn't like: That Jones got knocked down on the play. Reiff gave up the knockdown, but Mafi and Brown also beaten on the play.
1-6-GB 6 (11:42) R.Stevenson up the middle to GB 7 for -1 yards (R.Ford, R.Douglas).
Didn't like: Someone didn't block the right person, and it looked like it was Henry. Reiff was also soundly beaten off the snap to cut off a cutback lane.
2-7-GB 7 (11:08) M.Jones scrambles up the middle to GB 3 for 4 yards (R.Ford).
Liked: Jones' decision.
Didn't like: Mafi giving up the quick pressure to move Jones off his spot, and that no one really got open.
3-3-GB 3 (10:27) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass incomplete short right to D.Parker.
PENALTY on GB-C.Valentine, Defensive Holding, 2 yards, enforced at GB 3 - No Play.
Liked: Parker fighting through contact to draw the flag.
Didn't like: Sow gave up some pressure, and Jones' throw was probably uncatchable.
1-1-GB 1 (10:23) R.Stevenson right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Liked: The combo block on the right side with Sow and TE Matt Sokol.
SECOND SERIES
1-10-NE 8 (6:50) R.Stevenson left tackle to NE 12 for 4 yards (D.Wyatt).
Liked: The blocking by Smith-Schuster and Bourne, the cutback and tough yards by Stevenson.
Didn't like: Reiff getting beaten pretty soundly.
2-6-NE 12 (6:10) R.Stevenson left tackle to NE 35 for 23 yards (Q.Walker).
Liked: All the blocking, especially by Brown and Bourne, who had the key block. Stevenson breaking a tackle and showing a burst of speed. Also, the check at the line from Jones, which appeared to move the run over to the left side.
Didn't like: Sow whiffing on his block. He's lucky it was on the backside.
1-10-NE 35 (5:26) (No Huddle, Shotgun) M.Jones pass incomplete deep right to H.Henry.
Liked: The protection. Patriots picked up the five-man pressure. Also, the Patriots going shotgun empty.
Didn't like: The miscommunication between Henry and Jones. Henry read his inside shoulder, Jones read his outside shoulder. Safety Rudy Ford was lurking on the inside and I think Jones didn't want to put Henry in harm's way.
2-10-NE 35 (5:22) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short middle to J.Smith-Schuster to NE 36 for 1 yard (Q.Walker).
Liked: The creativity ... I guess?
Didn't like: A speed play going to an unspeedy player in Smith-Schuster. Would rather see Bourne or Demario Douglas get it. ... Sow didn't block anyone. He's supposed to leave in DT Chris Slayton and pick off the inside linebacker, but Mafi took a bad angle and Quay Walker ended up making the tackle.
3-9-NE 36 (4:41) (Shotgun) M.Jones sacked at NE 27 for -9 yards (K.Enagbare).
Liked: Nothing.
Didn't like: Sow let DE Kingsley Enagbare get under his pads — when that happens, you're done — for the sack. Jones needed another half-second to get the ball to Henry.
THIRD SERIES
Subs: Andrew Stueber (LT), James Ferentz (C), RB Kevin Harris.
1-10-NE 39 (1:38) M.Jones pass incomplete deep right to D.Parker.
Liked: Jones stepping up against pressure and delivering a good ball.
Didn't like: Sow and Henry giving up quick pressure, Reiff late pressure. Parker appeared to slow his route as he turned to look and then didn't sell out for the pass. He had a chance. Short arms, didn't dive. May have lost it in the lights.
2-10-NE 39 (1:31) (Shotgun) K.Harris up the middle to NE 39 for no gain (C.Wooden).
Liked: Nothing.
Didn't like: The work by Reiff and Ferentz inside. Reiff didn't fire off the ball, which allowed his player to pick Ferentz and it was a cluster from there. Would have maybe liked to see Harris bounce it left.
3-10-NE 39 (:52) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short middle to D.Douglas to GB 46 for 15 yards (I.McDuffie).
Liked: Jones and Douglas targeting the coverage bust by the Packers.
Didn't like: Stueber giving up pressure. ... Would like to see Douglas stay on this feet and use his escapability.
1-10-GB 46 (:28) (No Huddle, Shotgun) M.Jones pass short right to D.Douglas to GB 44 for 2 yards (L.Van Ness).
Liked: Patriots going no huddle with tempo. Douglas with a nice move to turn a 2-yard loss into a 2-yard gain.
Didn't like: The initial blocking by Bourne and Henry.
2-8-GB 44 (15:00) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass incomplete short right to K.Bourne (J.Owens).
Liked: RPO call.
Didn't like: Jones throwing quickly. If he threw into the second window, Bourne might have been off to the races with just one deep safety.
3-8-GB 44 (14:57) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass deep right to K.Bourne to GB 27 for 17 yards (K.Thomas) [J.Hollins].
Liked: Jones standing strong with pressure in his face and delivering a pass to give Bourne a chance to make a play, and he did on third down. Tough play all around. Good sign.
Didn't like: Mafi and Ferentz got Jones decked as he threw.
(14:22) (No Huddle, Shotgun) M.Jones sacked at GB 35 for -8 yards (K.Enagbare). FUMBLES (K.Enagbare) [K.Enagbare], RECOVERED by GB-K.Enagbare at GB 38. K.Enagbare to GB 38 for no gain (A.Mafi).
Liked: Patriots going tempo again, this time with shotgun empty.
Didn't like: Stueber getting soundly beaten by Enagbare in 2.57 seconds.
TAKEAWAYS
Too much pressure/poor blocking: Jones had 12 dropbacks in the game, including Brown's false start. On those plays, the Patriots allowed two sacks, two knockdowns, two hurries (54.5 percent pressure rate and 36 percent QB hit rate — just way too much), plus two other passes were poorly blocked and there was false start. Shaky up front on 9 of 12 plays. Not even close to sustainable.
Plus appearance for Jones: Considering the pressure in this game, I thought Jones did a solid job overall. Not perfect, but he's running the offense.
More Bourne please: The guy is a gamer, Jones loves him and now he's more physical as a blocker and an inside threat with his increased muscle. Full-time slot look this week?
Good offensive tweaks: Liked the two shot plays down the field that just missed, the RPOs and mixing in tempo. All good developments and it looks like the Patriots are going to need every free yard and score they can get.
Newcomers largely underwhelm: Brown (aside from the false start and his hideous lack of socks) and David Andrews were steady and Bourne was ready to go. Douglas showed a little something on his two snaps. But Sow, Stueber and Mafi had their issues up front, and Juju Smith-Schuster continues to worry with his lack of juice on the field. Has a tough time getting open.
All in all: A lot mistakes, but enough good in there for them to take the tape, make corrections and be better next week. I'm not really discouraged. Just have to get the offensive line straightened out.