With four weeks remaining in the season, there's still plenty that we don't know regarding the future of the Patriots, from front office to coaching staff to player retention. But whoever has clout - Bill Belichick, Matt Groh, or a fleet of fresh blood - Mike Onwenu should be a part of this organization beyond 2023-24.
Onwenu has selflessly moved from right guard to right tackle, even if it wasn't an easy transition in a free agent year, and stabilized a porous offensive line that injuries and underperformance have ravaged. It hasn't always been perfect - Onwenu struggled mightily in the 6-0 loss to the Chargers - but, by and large, has established himself as a consistent force that the Pats can a) run behind and b) be trusted to be on an island against elite pass rushers. Yes, the Khalil Mack matchup didn't go his way, but the T.J. Watt one did.
"During the game (vs. the Chargers), I felt myself playing out of character and not really trusting myself on blocks," Onwenu told us this week. "A couple of blocks - run blocks - I just noticed how they played me. They were anticipating what I was going to do and kind of playing around me or jumping around my blocks. Picked that up (in the) middle of the game. After the game, I watched the game. Most of my bad plays were me not trusting my technique or being in a position and thinking I was in a bad position.
"Following this past game on Thursday (vs. Steelers), I took the corrections ... and most of the time, I'm in a good position, I'm in good technique and footwork. The more I trust myself and adjust and play the game within the game, I'll be alright."
Onwenu's ability to adjust in-game and make a move back to tackle has given offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien more freedom when calling a game, as he doesn't have to always leave a back or tight end to chip or double a defender coming off the edge. The 26-year-old has allowed just two sacks and two QB hits. Not too shabby.
Do you like tackle?
"I do like tackle," he said when I asked. "I do."
What's allowed him to have success there?
"I think part has to do with my athleticism," said Onwenu. "People primarily see me as a guard, but you know I'm an athletic guy when I need to be. Playing on the inside, you just gotta block the guy. The fight is right there within three steps. But at tackle, you gotta get out there. There's a lot of space to protect. My athleticism: I have some length on me, and I have pretty much longer arms and a big grip; most of the time, when I get my hands on somebody, it's a good fight or a good matchup for me."
The tape is out there for all 32 teams to see. Onwenu is a borderline Pro Bowl-caliber guard but is showing that he can also handle tackle (as he did back in his rookie year). The Pats couldn't get a deal done with the former Michigan standout during the offseason or at any point in the year. In fact, there was some buzz he might get traded, and he actually reported to the facility on trade deadline day - an off-day - so the team would have to tell him to his face. Later, he expressed to us he wanted to stay a Patriot.
But now, any chance of getting Onwenu's name on a contract before free agency seems unlikely. His value has only increased, especially considering the state of offensive line play. Onwenu says, for now, he's got bigger fish to fry.
"I'm really just focusing on the now," he said. "I can't control whatever that is, that narrative, and all of that. I can control these next four games and pour everything into that and make sure I'm doing all the right things… I'm not really paying too much attention. The most important thing to me is the game. Gotta get another one (win)."
I followed that up, wondering if he told friends and family to refrain from speaking on the subject.
"Not so much," he said. "Everyone asks me about it or talks to me about it. But honestly, it's the uncontrollable. I don't know what's going to happen yet. It hasn't happened yet. At the end of the day, I focus on what I focus on. I know it sounds cliché, but at the end of the day, you can't control it. Or you really don't know what's going to happen."
Well, barring some sort of massive physical ailment, Onwenu can be assured that his pockets are about to be lined with more money than he knows what to do with. If the Pats are smart, that money will come from the team account.
FLOPPING FINS?
The Dolphins had a real chance to be the top seed in the AFC, and considering they hadn't lost a home game all season, that was a fine place to be. That is until they choked away a two-touchdown lead in the final three minutes of Monday's game against the struggling Titans. That had never happened before in league history, so they got that going for them, which is nice (not really).
In addition, Tyreek Hill left the game after the soon-to-be outlawed hip drop tackle, spraining his ankle and putting the brakes on his MVP campaign. Even worse, starting center Connor Williams tore his ACL and is lost for the season. That had the Fins trotting out an offensive line without four of its five expected starters from the start of the season. Did that change how Mike McDaniel called the game?
"You just have to be realistic. It's not just blind faith; it's earned faith," he said, noting that there were times against Tennessee when he deemed a particular matchup unfair and had to scheme around it. Still, 27 points should have been enough, especially with Vic Fangio's defense rounding into form.
"The biggest thing is in those situations, we need to be a little more locked in and a little more focused when we get into those situations where you gotta have it," said defensive captain Christian Wilkins. "You need to be ready to play your best ball in those situations."
The Dolphins folded up shop down the stretch a year ago, and that memory remains at the forefront this year. Their remaining schedule is no picnic. After hosting AFC Player of the Week Zach Wilson (what in the wide world of sports?), they've got the Cowboys, a trip to Baltimore, and the regular season finale against a Bills team that should be playing for something. If that looks like a gauntlet, it is. Based on opponents' winning percentage, it's the second toughest in football behind only....drum roll, please...the Ravens.
LOVING LEVIS
Speaking of the Titans, did you get a load of Will Levis? The rookie quarterback sparked that comeback in Miami and drew great praise for star wideout DeAndre Hopkins.
"I saw a dawg out here today," Hopkins said postgame. "That kid is going to be great. … Will showed heart. I love competing and playing with him."
After bursting onto the scene in his first start - throwing four touchdown passes - Levis and the Titans found rougher sledding in the following weeks, which is typical for a rookie signal caller. But his late-game heroics Monday capped a 327-yard performance that still had some lows - his pick-6 from the end zone was regrettable - yet highlighted all the strengths that had the Indianapolis Colts legitimately debating Levis versus eventual selection Anthony Richardson at number four overall late in the draft process.
"We knew we had an opportunity to do something special tonight on national television. Probably our last prime-time game. Hope America liked what they saw," smiled Levis following the win.
Levis has a rocket of a right arm, a quick release, and toughness that reminds this writer of Josh Allen. At times, however, that approach is reckless - he lowered his shoulder several times - and Mike Vrabel knows he's got to convince the quarterback that's a bad idea.
"I don't know, I think we're still trying to work on that," Vrabel said. "We showed him examples of quarterbacks sliding and using the rules to their advantage. I guess we'll have to show him examples of quarterbacks not sliding and getting the (expletive) knocked out of them."
The Titans host the Texans on Sunday. Houston could be without their rookie QB, C.J. Stroud. He was entered into the concussion protocol this past weekend.
RENAISSANCE MAN
Never, in a million years, did I think I'd be writing about a resurgent Joe Flacco. In fact, I assumed his career was over. But the Browns, in a fit of desperation, called the old man, and, holy moly, Flacco has been good. It's so good, in fact, that Cleveland's hopes of a playoff run haven't been extinguished by Deshaun Watson's season-ending injury and the repeated failings of backups P.J. Walker and Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
Kevin Stefanski presented Flacco the game-ball after passing for 311 yards in Sunday's win over the Jaguars.
"I feel like a 10-year-old kid again," said Flacco via the team's website. "I appreciate you guys having me."
A month prior, the 38-year-old kept his arm ready by throwing passes to his brother near his New Jersey home. His brother wasn't even running routes. It was just stationary work. And now? He's leading an 8-5 team with a one-game lead in the Wild Card race and savoring every moment.
"It had gotten to the point in the year where there were probably a couple of times where I could have gotten called (by teams), but I didn't," Flacco said (per The Athletic). "So, I was starting to think that I wasn't going to get a call. ... I kind of thought the time had gone and passed. But they (Browns) wanted me to come out and work out, and I was grateful to do it."
The feeling is mutual. Flacco is on the first guy in, last guy out schedule in Cleveland, with his wife and five kids remaining in Jersey. He admitted that part of this journey has been difficult. Still, he's also appreciative that the children are old enough to understand and enjoy what their Dad is doing.
"Coming up with words about how this feels, I'm not going to do a good job of that," Flacco said. "There are so many different things going through my head. It's unbelievable to be out there. It's a really a unique experience.
"I'm going to remember these things forever."
Maybe it's the father in me, but I'm starting to develop an appreciation for Flacco that I never had.
NERD NUMBERS
-The Chiefs are 0-4 in games they have allowed over 20 points in 2023 (8-1 otherwise). The Pats have won both games they scored over 20 points in 2023.
- Gardner Minshew has completed 36 passes to Michael Pittman vs the blitz this season, tied for the 2nd-most among duos. Only the Jalen Hurts to AJ Brown connection has more (37).
- Steelers rookie Joey Porter Jr. has forced a tight window on a league-high 59.3% of targets in man coverage this season (min. 20 targets). Kyle Fuller (47.6%), Sauce Gardner (42.9%), and rookie Emanuel Forbes (42.3%) follow.
- Amon-Ra St. Brown leads the Lions with 87 receptions for 1,063 rec yds and 6 TDs. St. Brown needs 3+ receptions in Week 15 to become the 3rd player in NFL history to have 90+ rec and 900+ rec yards in each of their first 3 seasons. He would join Odell Beckham Jr. (2014-16) and Michael Thomas (2016-18).