BSJ Game Report: Jaguars 32, Patriots 16 - Despite strong game from Maye, New England folds after great start

Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ loss to the Jaguars in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

HEADLINES

After great start, Patriots collapse in all three phases: The Patriots looked like world-beaters in the first quarter as Drake Maye was pinpoint leading to two scoring drives, the defense forced a punt and New England led 10-0. But from then on out, it was all Jaguars. Alex Van Pelt stuck to a terrible running game, which put Maye in bad spots. The Patriots had four straight punts with drives of 3, 3, 3 and 5 plays for a total of 33 yards and two first downs.

The defense got bullied, with the Jaguars running on 29 of 30 plays at one point. Jaguars drives after the first quarter:

And in the middle of this, Bryce Baringer outkicked his coverage on a 66-yard punt to the 4-yard line and Parker Washington returned it 96 yards to make it 22-10.

"I saw guys getting out leveraged," Mayo said. "I saw a punt down the middle of the field, which is always difficult to cover. And look, he has a strong leg, and he out-kicked his coverage, and we weren't disciplined in our lanes."

Drake Maye played well: For the most part, Maye looked greatly improved from the opener. He had a couple of would-be interceptions that the Jaguars dropped, but he was 26 of 37 for 276 yards, 2 TDs and zero turnovers. I think, after seeing how comfortable he was, the Patriots should have opened things up and let Drake cook.

"I thought Drake did a good job, especially starting the game off fast," Jerod Mayo said. "He made some good throws. He made some plays with his legs. But again, I have to go back to the film."

Patriots defense run over: Jaguars rushed 39 times for 171 yards and converted 6 of 10 third downs. Trevor Lawrence was 15 of 20 for 193 yards - 9.7 yards per attempt.

The Patriots led time possession 11:30-3:30 in the first quarter. The Jaguars held the ball for two of the final three quarters (29:45 to 15:15). That's embarrassing for the Patriots all around.

"What I would say is, look, we're a soft football team across the board," Jerod Mayo said. "We talk about what makes a tough football team that's being able to run the ball, that's being able to stop the run, and that's being able to cover kicks. And we did none of those today. They controlled the ball for most of the day."

TURNING POINT

The Patriots got a gift when Doug Pederson passed up a field goal early in the fourth quarter leading 25-10. That would have made it a three-score game, and New England would have little chance. Patriots took advantage as Maye led a quick 94-yard scoring drive. Instead of kicking the extra point and making it an 8-point game with 8:22 left, Mayo decided to go for two. Ja'Lynn Polk slipped and the Patriots did Pederson a solid keeping it a two-score game.

"So that decision ... at some point in time you have to go for two," Mayo said. "And I just wanted to at least know what situation we were going to be in with more time on the clock. So we went for two on the first one. I'm sure other people see it different ways. It's a philosophical thing."

Jaguars ran seven straight times to take up 4:17 and it was basically over at that point.

SECOND GUESS

A ton ...

Van Pelt going conservative after he ran out of script plays, and not helping out the team with anything new when they needed a play.

After the Jags scored their first touchdown, AVP got a -1 run, called a TE screen for -4 that led to 3rd and 15 and a punt. Horrible sequence.

Mayo going for two. Mayo not taking a second timeout after taking their first with 4:51 left. At that point, the Patriots had to score before the two-minute warning.

TWO UP

TE Hunter Henry: Had 8 catches for 92 yards, including a terrific 32-yard catch of an underthrown ball.

QB Drake Maye: It obviously wasn't perfect, but I thought he was really good and improved. Completed 70 percent of his passes, ran for 18 yards including a great 15-yard scramble breaking a tackle. Most importantly: two touchdowns and zero turnovers. They should have turned him loose.

THREE DOWN

WR Ja'Lynn Polk: Zero catches on 3 targets, including one drop and possibly another. Also slipped on the two-point conversion. He needs to be inactive.

"Yeah, we need more from Polk," Mayo said. "We need more concentration. He'll be a good player in this league. Just got to continue to work at it.

"First I have to remind him he's a young football player, and I'm not using that as an excuse. But I mean, this isn't the last iteration or evolution of Ja'Lynn Polk. He just has to get back in the meeting rooms, and go back out there on the field and get better."

Run defense: They just got bullied. 39 rushes, 171 yards, 2 TDs.

"I will say it's a mentality, it's an attitude," Mayo said. "I mean, the players ... we just got to play better. We got to play better technique. Got to lock our guy out in front of us and really just, I mean, that's what it comes down to, locking it out in front of you, dominating him and making a tackle."

Alex Van Pelt: He had a lead, a hot QB and a Jaguars defense that was having trouble covering guys. And he made no adjustments while Pederson dialed everything up. Van Pelt needed to help these guys at some point.

INJURIES

RG Layden Robinson (right ankle): Left the game late in the first quarter and was replaced by Sidy Sow.

WR Ja'Lynn Polk (head): Was ruled out late.

WR Demario Douglas (illness): Returned.

TOP PLAYS

THREE TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

They should have let Drake Maye cook: He made adjustments from last week, the Jaguars are a horrible pass defense ... they just should have let him wing it the entire second half.

Jerod Mayo in danger of losing this team: Patriots have lost six straight games, including two to the awful Dolphins and Jaguars. They've lost by 21, 17, 5, 20 and 16. At some point here, maybe on this long ride home, the players are going to start to talk about the coaches and whether they know what they're doing. This a real dangerous stretch.

NOW the Patriots are a soft team?!: After the loss to the Dolphins - just three weeks ago - Mayo called his team tough and I called that out considering they couldn't run the ball, stop the run or make plays on special teams.

It took Mayo this long to realize his team is soft? Again I ask: what games is he watching?