So the short answer is no, the Patriots didn't "respond" to Jerod Mayo saying they were a soft team after the loss to the Jaguars. Mayo didn't push the right button in that regard.
By Mayo's definition of a tough team (actually Bill Belichick's definition) — run the ball, defend the run and cover kicks — the Patriots only marginally improved against the Jets.
The Patriots' backs carried 25 times for 55 yards (2.2 per carry) ... but some of Rhamondre Stevenson's runs were punishing and important body blows.
The Jets started the game with runs 8, 9 and 16 yards before finishing with 112 yards on 28 carries (4.0).
And the Patriots allowed a 40-yard punt return on the very first possession.
So the Patriots didn't exactly announce their presence with authority on Sunday.
But the Patriots were competitive on Sunday and eventually won because of their coaches ... because, as I wrote following the game, they actually did their job for the first time in weeks.
Better late than never, and they should be commended. You could make a convincing argument that the Patriots' coaches won their individual matchups: Jerod Mayo over Jeff Ulbrich (interim), Alex Van Pelt over Nathaniel Hackett, and DeMarcus Covington over Ullbrich. I think that says more about the state of the pathetic Jets more than anything, but at 1-6 you'll take any small victories you can get.
I have been critical of Mayo during the five-game losing streak, which I feel was absolutely warranted. But I also feel like he did a great job against the Jets. As low as that bar is, that's progress and maybe he's learning on the job, finally. Or perhaps he was starting to feel the pressure of job security and realized that he couldn't just be a spectator or supervisor as the team continued to embarrass itself more with each passing week.
Whatever the reason, the result was there.
What I saw on Sunday was a Patriots team that took the field with a plan in all three phases to win this game. I saw a team where it looked like the head coach rolled up his sleeves and got his hands dirty by figuring out how they were going to win in all three phases.
That's football, and why you don't just throw up your hands and whine about the lack of personnel. Football is chess on grass. Every week, one team is going to have an advantage. You don't just give up. You need a chessmaster of a coach to figure out where you can gain an advantage, or at least limit the weaknesses to give your team a chance. I don't know if Mayo is a chessmaster yet because the Jets are so rudderless at this point, but he was on Sunday.
It seemed like Mayo, finally, told his coordinators to simplify things, go back to basics. If the Patriots were going to screw up in all three phases like they did against the Jaguars, the coaches obviously gave them too much too soon and it wasn't helping. Do what you can execute. Crawl before you can walk. It's exactly what the previous regime would have done, and what they did in 2014 after the embarrassing 41-14 loss to the Chiefs. It wasn't exactly the 43-17 shellacking the Patriots put on the Bengals (505 yards, 39 minutes time of possession, Cincy was 0 of 7 on third down), but the present Patriots aren't exactly Super Bowl contenders either.
We're on to Cincinnati meets We're on to the Jets, which Mayo channeled a little in the run-up to the game.
It felt like Van Pelt got an edict to keep running the ball if the score was close, even if it wasn't working. It felt like Rhamondre Stevenson kept landing body blows that would eventually take a toll. I especially loved a 1-yard run where he should have been taken down for minus-5. I liked the wrinkle of lineman Lecitus Smith, Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper and Jaheim Bell being used as fullbacks and H-backs to help the blocking by making the Jets cover another gap. That felt McDaniels-ian. Just simplify, baby.
On defense, it felt like Covington was given the same simplify edict. Instead of doing all this dancing to disguise X, Y and Z — which got them into huge trouble against the Jaguars — how about the Patriots just line up and play defense? That it was Aaron Rodgers and the Jets definitely helped. Rodgers still thought he was playing the Belichick Patriots and ran down the playclock expecting a chess match but the Patriots just playing checkers, and that worked for the Patriots. New England played 46% man coverage — way more than their season average. The Jets aren't really all that dangerous at receiver. Sure, Garrett Wilson got Marcus Jones more than a few times, but it could perfect passes and great catches. By playing more man, it meant the Patriots could put more resources against the run. It was simple and it was beautiful, at least for one week.
Football is not that complicated. If you can't do certain things, you don't do them. If you're good at something, you do more of that. If you're weak in a certain spot, you throw more resources at it.
I'm not sure it will work against anyone else but the Jets in their current state, and perhaps the Titans this week, but what Mayo and his crew did was outcoach the competition.
It took a while, but Rome wasn't built in a day.
Here are the positional ratings, grades and QB breakdown videos against the Jets:
OFFENSE
Quarterback (4 out of 5)
Drake Maye's grade, if he played the same for the entire game, probably would have broken my grading system it was that good. Of course, he probably wouldn't have sustained it - he and Van Pelt usually crater a bit after the scripted 15 plays - but Maye continues to look more comfortable and improve every time he plays. It wasn't perfect, as you would expect. ... I did not like the decision on the first third down. I'm guessing the coaches tell him to uncomplicate things early and just throw the deep ball if you have a 1-on-1, but the Patriots had numbers and a really nice route combination to the left with Demario Douglas short, Hunter Henry medium and Kendrick Bourne on a corner. Henry was the go-to guy and Maye never looked at him. ... Decent throw to Henry on third down, but missed more YAC throwing behind him. ... Maye's touchdown run was obviously a +1.5 play, but I would really like to see him hang in a good pocket and deliver a ball to Henry (conservative) or Hooper (touchdown). Sometimes Maye is too eager to run and not hang with the play. You see this every week. ... The drop by Tyquan Thornton was a good throw but an elite throw would have taken him more to the sideline. Plus, Kendrick Bourne was open earlier and Maye never saw him. ... The sack taken by Maye was at least partly his fault, if not all of it. It's a three-step drop and he has Douglas or Stevenson. Ball has to get out. ... Hell of a throw to Boutte on third down for a concussed guy.
I did not understand treating Jacoby Brissett like he was Joe Milton upon entering the game with five runs and one pass. You named him the starter to begin the season, and he started five games — including his last three games ago. ... He ended up with his best grade since Week 1. He had seven plus throws, which is a lot for him. Also a very nice hot read against a blitz, and a key scramble. ... He took an avoidable sack and had a hurry on a poor decision. ... I did not have a problem with the RPO near the goal line that ended up being a fumble that held them to a field goal. The Jets were crashing down and Brissett was going to be 1-on-1 with CB DJ Reed and probably scores. Brissett and Antonio Gibson just didn't execute.
Running backs (4 out of 5)
Stevenson's 1-yard run to open the second quarter was awesome. It should have been -5. ... Stevenson's catch, spin and 14-yard gain on 3rd and 15 was one of the biggest plays in the game. It was a terrible tackle attempt by Sauce Gardner, but also a great play by Stevenson. I don't know if they win the game without it. ... I still don't know how Stevenson scored on the final play. Ownenu and Jacobs both whiff and end up on the ground. Jordan is pulling but doesn't really move anyone. Sow was the FB and had high pads without much push. It had to be sheer determination from Stevenson. ... Ja'Mychal Hasty had the key block on Marcus Jones' big punt return. Took out two guys.
Receivers (2.5 out of 5)
Hunter Henry was great again. ... We all know the issues with the receivers (four drops) — can they please start catching the ball with their hands and not against their chest?! — but I have to commend Kayshon Boutte and Tyquan Thornton for staying at it and delivering big plays late. ... Boutte's big catch on the final drive was courtesy of a bust by old friend Jalen Mills. ... They have to do more to get Douglas involved, It shouldn't be this hard. One issue is this offense doesn't really have a slot with the traditional Patriots slot routes. The system is the system. ... Same with Kendrick Bourne. They need to find him a go-to play.
Offensive line (3 out of 5)
The pass blocking was good out of this unit — 28% pressure was by far the lowest of the season and it's improved every week the last three games — but the run blocking was pretty pedestrian. ... Michael Jordan and Ben Brown had the biggest issues in the game but everyone graded out well for the most part. ... Onwenu is still not executing close to a $19 million level, not even at guard.
DEFENSE
Defensive line (4 out of 5)
The execution by the front seven this week was much-improved for the most part. The defense had a +22 improvement over last week and it started with the front seven simplifying and executing. Kudos to them. ... Keion White is still inconsistent. He had a blown gap and two blown edges. Needs to be better. ... Anfernee Jennings and Deatrich Wise were terrific on the edges. Jennings is so good against the run.
Linebackers (4 out of 5)
I'm just happy to have a week where Jahlani Tavai and Christian Ellis aren't late to every hole, getting run over and like a -14. They were on time, tough and got off blocks. Elliss (knockdown, sack) and Tavai (hurry) brought some juice in the pass rush as well, which they need.
Secondary (2.5 out of 5)
The Patriots played way more man coverage than they have, and I think that simplified everything for everyone. ... Marcus Jones had some really nice plays, but gave up more than a few. Not really his fault. His coverage was sticky all day but Rodgers and Wilson are going to make plays, they're just that good. ... Gonzalez blanketed Adams all games but that does not mean what it once did. No one fears him anymore. ... Jones and Hawkins each gave up a touchdown. ... I thought Dell Pettus did well with more playing time and he might warrant more.
THREE UP
QB Jacoby Brissett: The man came off the bench and delivered two scoring drives in the fourth quarter. If Ja'Lynn Polk got his second foot down, we'd be talking about Brissett authoring two comeback wins to go along with the Bengals victory.
RB Rhamondre Stevenson: This was definitely a case of the stats not telling the whole story. He was big in this one.
DE Anfernee Jennings: Was impactful throughout this game and never let Rodgers escape front side.
TWO DOWN
CB Marcus Jones: I had a hard time really putting anyone on this side. Jones gave up some plays, but he made a lot too.
S Jaylinn Hawkins: I'm starting to think his job could be in jeopardy.
