Real football is back (well, the preseason variety), which means BSJ's extensive football breakdowns are back. What you'll get down below: game film breakdowns, player ratings, player thoughts and 3 up/3 down.
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As opposed to the opener against the Texans, the Patriots had next to no pass rush when the starters got involved against the Packers.
Against Houston, the backup Patriots had 11 total QB pressures on 33 dropbacks (33.3 pressure rate).
With all the starters against Green Bay, the Patriots had two on 31 dropbacks (6.5%) — Deatrich Wise on the first boot, and Carson Wells on the next to last play.
Making it worse, the Patriots blitzed six times.
I mean, Keion White is a good player — especially against Texans backups — but not having a rookie out there in this game is not a reason to have zero pass rush. But that's what happened.
It's not like the Patriots didn't have good pass rushers out there:
Daniel Ekuale ... 17 rushes
Anfernee Jennings... 16 rushes
Josh Uche ... 7 rushes
Matthew Judon ... 6 rushes
Christian Barmore ... 4 rushes
That group was 0 for 50. Uche, Judon and Barmore were 0 for 17.
The Packers were without starting LT David Bakhtiari, but the rest were starters — or projected starters. It was ones vs. ones. And the Patriots posted a bagel.
Should that bring some cause for concern?
Yes ... and no.
As opposed to the Patriots, the Packers have developed a really deep offensive line. There are issues if Bakhtiari is hurt, as he often is, but this is a pretty good group. Still, you'd like to see the first-team Patriots win a few one-on-one matchups.
Now, the Patriots did not get creative with their pressures, they hardly ran any of the stunts and twists that have become a staple. That being said, seeing the Patriots never winning one-on-one battles without scheme is a bit alarming. It's one of the biggest worries about this defense, especially against better offenses with better lines that don't give up cheap pressure to the Patriots.
But here's why I'm not overly alarmed right now.
No one has told me this, but if I had to guess, I think Bill Belichick went into this game and told his assistant coaches to instruct their pass rushers to use this game as live prep for the season opener against the Eagles and QB Jalen Hurts. Like I said, the Patriots didn't stunt very often. The edge rushers seemed to make it a point to not rush past the QB. The blitzes were restrained — the five-person variety where they just want to form a wall and not allow any outlets. The interior rushers hardly went up the field (Barmore did on a few occasions).
Jordan Love and the Packers aren't an exact comp for what the Patriots will see against the Eagles, but it's something. It's one thing to work on discipline on the practice field against your own team, it's quite another to play with discipline under the lights in front of a crowd. Saturday night got the Patriots used to dealing with some of the adrenaline and noise that they'll deal with.
The Patriots were much more creative doing their thing on defense against the Packers in the joint practices — away from the cameras. This was a game where the Patriots seemed to be getting on-the-job training for the season opener.
So, no, I'm not overly worried. This wasn't the Patriots' pass rush — this was them getting ready for what's to come.
Positional thoughts...
DEFENSIVE LINE
It was like Matthew Judon and Christian Barmore weren't even out there. They just held serve. ... Davon Godchaux got pushed around a bit in the run game. ... Yes, Josh Uche looked bad on the edge against Luke Musgrave for the TD, but he had two really good run stuffs before that and recovered a fumble. Uche was far from a disaster against the run. ... Similarly, Lawrence Guy had one bad rep against the run, but had another really good one. ... Sam Roberts had a couple of penalties, but they were of the hustle variety and he had four other really good run reps. He's making a real push for this roster with his play in the two games. .... Anfernee Jennings missed a tackle, blew a gap but had two strong run reps. ... Jeremiah Pharms had a strong game against the run.
LINEBACKERS
Well, we now know how much Ja'Whaun Bentley means to this team. The front against the run was lost without him after turning to Mack Wilson and Jahlani Tavai. The Patriots know what they have in Bentley. After being physical in the joint practices, I think the Patriots gave him the night off for rest, and to see what else they have — it's not much. Tavai and Wilson were continually late hitting their holes and were a big part of the front getting gashed with the run ... I continue to hate the Patriots' safeties in the box against the run other than Adrian Phillips. That guy is not afraid to stick his nose in against guards. Wilson and Tavai could learn something.
SECONDARY
Thought Christian Gonzalez had a very strong game. He played much more physical in this game, which shows he can take the critiques from coaches after his debut, which was a tad soft. He's so impressive in coverage. He was perfect on the INT/DPI. That was not a foul. Gonzalez's balance and make up speed is impressive on film. He wasn't great on the pass in front of him before halftime. A cushion is understandable in that spot, but he was a little slow. If he keeps playing physical, I have high hopes for him this season. ... Jack Jones should have had a pass breakup on the first down he allowed over the middle. He saw it right, just hesitated. Jones still has his nose too much in the backfield and takes risks. The Packers missed some chances against him. Jones can get away with that against average/young QBs, but he's still very boom or bust. ... Free safety is still a big issue for this team. Adrian Phillips had a couple of big miscues in this game, including one on the Love TD pass. He got put into a pretzel. ... Myles Bryant had a really strong week and a great pass breakup/coverage on third down from the slot. He also might be the team's best free safety at the end of the day. Need to see Jalen Mills there more. .... Shaun Wade and Joshuah Bledsoe again struggled.
THREE UP
Christian Gonzalez: This was a good test for him, and his film was impressive.
Myles Bryant: Only getting seven snaps is a good sign for him, and he's a solid all-around player for this team.
Jeremiah Pharms: Among the second unit, he put the best film out there against the run.
THREE DOWN
Isaiah Bolden: Before his unfortunate injury, Bolden was having a rough night with a big pass allowed (good coverage, ball was underthrown) and two missed tackles.
Davon Godchaux: Seemed largely uninterested in being out there. You get that with some vets.
Mack Wilson/Jahlani Tavai: They were really slow on their run fits in this one.This team is in trouble without Bentley.