Lost in the aftermath of the 38-3 loss to the Cowboys that featured Mac Jones' meltdown was the performance of the Patriots' defense.
Again, it wasn't good enough against a good offense and defense, especially to start the game.
On three of their first four possessions, the Cowboys had drives of at least 10 plays and 70 yards. They held the ball for Sure, they yielded field goals on two of those scoring drives, but on the first, TE Luke Schoonmaker dropped a touchdown and QB Dak Prescott and RB Tony Pollard ran into each other on third-and-goal. For all intents and purposes, the Patriots should have allowed 17 points. That would not have been good enough to win this game for a team built to win on defense.
This continued a disturbing trend for the Patriots' defense of Steve Belichick and Jerod Mayo. They are currently 27th in the league in points allowed in the first quarter (7.3). They finished 2022 ranked 7th (3.4).
This is how the drives have gone against the Eagles (7th in offensive DVOA), Dolphins (1st) and Cowboys (16th) to start the game (against the Eagles, Dolphins and Cowboys the Patriots forced punts for the first time on the third possessions):
Basically, the Patriots have been run over to start games.
Considering how many resources they have put into the defense, how this team is constructed, shouldn't more be expected of that side of the ball? Does an elite defense allow an average of 10 plays, 67 yards and a touchdown, basically, in every single first quarter against anyone other than Zach Wilson and the Jets?
This tells you the Patriots' defensive gameplans have been subpar to start these games. That, or the Patriots are continuing their trend during Bill Belichick's tenure to play conservative on defense early, then adjust.
Again, this is another fossilized way of doing thing in today's game — especially with this team. The offense is challenged. The defense can no longer afford to sit back to start games. Yes, the offensive turnovers have put the team at a damning deficit to begin games, but the defense has played more of a part in that than most care or want to admit.
If this is a defense-first team, that has to happen from the opening kickoff.
I'll give the Patriots some credit. As opposed to their recent surrender gameplans against the Bills and Dolphins (anyone see how mortal Buffalo made Tua Tagovailoa look by playing aggressively on defense?), the Patriots were actually aggressive against Prescott and the Cowboys. They blitzed him a season-high 40 percent of snaps. Unfortunately, it had zero effect because of Dallas' blocking — Prescott had exceptional pockets and was only pressured on 26 percent of dropbacks — and the Patriots played absurdly conservative in coverage. And that was before Christian Gonzalez left with injury (he only drew CeeDee Lamb once in coverage, on the goal line).
Plenty of teams are playing shorthanded in the secondary, including the Bills. The Patriots have not been good enough to start games on defense.
Here are the positional ratings against the Cowboys:
DEFENSE
Defensive line (2.5 out of 5)
The interior of the Patriots' defensive line was completely ineffective by perhaps the best interior line in the league: LG Tyler Smith, C Tyler Biadasz, RG Zack Martin. The Patriots weren't bad, but Davon Godchaux, Lawrence Guy and Christian Barmore had basically no impact in the game. Godchaux, especially, continued his invisible start to the season. ... Guy was shoved out of his gap on the Cowboys' rushing touchdown. ... Deatrich Wise owned his matchup against backup LT Chuma Edoga. ... Josh Uche only got 18 snaps, which should raise some eyebrows. That might have to do with him losing the gap/edge on two runs, including the play that ended Gonzalez's season. ... Keion White had a couple rough reps inside against the run, including a 16-yard run. Still pretty good on the edge, and I look forward to him getting more reps there with Judon out.
Linebackers (4 out of 5)
Jahlani Tavai had his best game for the Patriots, not that it amounted to much. It was a very Kyle Van Noy-ish game on the outside and inside. ... Ja'Whaun Bentley was strong as well again.
Secondary (1 out of 5)
Didn't understand the zone-heavy approach to this game and not lining up Gonzalez on Lamb. ... Myles Bryant is a fine 3 or 4 cornerback, but will struggle against bigger receivers. Doesn't make him a bad player. He's a good player. ... Now Shaun Wade, he's not good. ... Missed tackles for Bryant, Wade, Jalen Mills and Gonzalez is not going to get it done. ... The Patriots' approach at free safety was exposed in this game as the Cowboys had no issues picking on Jabrill Peppers and Kyle Dugger. Peppers needed to give more help to Myles Bryant on the Lamb TD.
THREE UP
LB Jahlani Tavai: Tremendous game. He's not usually this impactful. He had the same number of impactful plays in this game as he normally has in five.
DE Deatrich Wise: Had the best matchup on the defensive line and took advantage.
DE Matthew Judon: His usual productive game. He should not been in the game at that point with so many options at the position (Uche, White, Anfernee Jennings, Tavai, etc.). That was a huge coaching blunder.
THREE DOWN
CB Shaun Wade: He's not a competitive NFL CB.
DT Christian Barmore: Being asked to do more against the run inside and it's not going well.
NT Davon Godchaux: Getting paid a lot to be completely invisible.
