I don't want to get too carried away with the offense making significant strides on Sunday in Chicago, but seeing some of what was promised with this scheme come to fruition was nice (and needed). As both Greg and I have written countless times, Alex Van Pelt is trying to get the run to look like the pass and the pass to look like the run, and when they're able to dress it up and execute it in that fashion, the benefits become more apparent. For instance, a few successful outside-zone runs enabled the play-action game to hit big in a couple of spots. It also hammered home (to me, at least) that this team does its best work out of 12-personnel. The big completions to Austin Hooper (off play action) were out of that grouping. The TD to Ja'Lynn Polk also. We shouldn't be surprised by this. If I were to rate the pass catchers (tight ends included) this year to date, it would look like this:
- Hunter Henry
- Pop Douglas
- Austin Hooper
- Kayshon Boutte
- Kendrick Bourne
- K.J. Osborn
- Ja'Lynn Polk
Now, look, Van Pelt wants to run the offense this way — with bigger sets — but he's seeing what I'm seeing regarding the receiver/tight end rooms and his best path for passing game competency. Hunter Henry played 57 of 64 offensive snaps in Chicago and, despite only two targets, blocked his ass off, while Hooper had a season-high 41 snaps and doubled his previous best yardage total (64. He had 32 vs. Jax).
Kayshon Boutte led all the pass catchers with 62, playing maybe his best game of the year, while K.J. Osborn (29) out-snapped DeMario Douglas (27) and Polk (26). I'd argue the point of playing Osborn, especially after he caused drama post-London, but Pop isn't a blocker, and Polk is still trying to get his feet underneath him (touchdown notwithstanding). Kendrick Bourne got benched, and don't let the reports about this being a youth movement as the reason why. Bourne's been lacking in the details since his return from the ACL, and I firmly believe the story was leaked as such so as not to embarrass him.
SNEAKY SIEVE
The pressure rate, which dipped in the win over the Jets, is back to "Are you trying to kill your QB?" levels. The only difference between the first five weeks and Sunday is that Drake Maye's mobility partly mitigates some potential disaster. He took just one sack, and despite being less able to run (thanks to Chicago's plan), the rookie beat pressure by getting the ball out of his hand quickly. That's growth. That's what you want to see.
What you don't want to see is either Vederian Lowe or Demontrey Jacobs on an island in obvious pass situations. Neither is talented enough to win against good edge rushers, and Montez Sweat is that, and Austin Booker has a chance to be. But making Jacob Martin (5th team in 7 seasons) be that guy? Not great.
IF YOU'RE IN THE RIGHT PLACE...
I had the Pats for three missed tackles on Sunday. Yes, there has been a significant talent drain on that side of the ball because of the injuries - Jabril Peppers is, pound for pound, their best tackler - but with proper technique, being where you're supposed to be, and overall will, having double-digit whiffs as they have in some of their worst weeks, should never, ever happen.
STICKY STICKY STICKY
Despite a good collection of wideouts on the other side, the Pats went into the game saying my coverage guys are better than your pass catchers. Combined with a hellacious pass rush, that strategy paid off for defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington. The Pats played more man-to-man than they have at any point this season, and it worked like a charm. Even when Keenan Allen or Rome Odunze caught passes, they were quickly smothered. And D.J. Moore saw a fair share of double teams, and his frustration was evident early and often.
Rush lane integrity was better than it's been, which was (and has been) a primary focus for the defensive line. Caleb Williams had a couple of rush lanes he didn't take but instead chose to hold the ball like he had impunity back there. Or, worse, go backward. That only works if you're Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen.
As I wrote post-game, Brenden Schooler's usage in the "Longhorn" package was low-key critical. He had five snaps (that's all), but he was impactful on all five. It's not a week-in, week-out need - there's no need to spy Matthew Stafford — but that was some outside-the-box thinking we've rarely seen under Covington. The hope here is that it doesn't get the first-year DC thinking he can get even spicier going forward - let these guys master the basics first - but proves coaching matters and makes an impact.
UP AND DOWN
Thumbs way the hell up for the defensive line. Jeremiah Pharms looked like Aaron Donald (spoiler: he's not), Keion White, Anfernee Jennings, and Deatrich Wise made life hell for Chicago's broken-down offensive line. By the third quarter, the Bears offense was praying for a running clock.
"I’ve been saying it all year. We are a young defense forced into a lot of starting positions,” said White after the game. “What you guys are seeing is us figuring it out, and I feel like we are a more cohesive unit week to week. The trajectory is on the right path.”
Thumbs up for Dell Pettus, who has now strung together three good games in a row. In case you missed it, he usurped Jaylinn Hawkins' at safety and made that the right decision. I talked to Brian Belichick about Pettus a couple weeks ago when I thought he was coming on, and the veteran safety coach (who's done a nice job) agreed that the UDFA is making the most of his opportunities and earning more. Pettus is not afraid to stick his nose in there, but his growth as a coverage player is worth noting. He could be something.
Thumbs down for Maye. He was inconsistent. Some of you will rage comment at me, but if you want rose-colored glasses, I can advise you of other sites that lie to you. There was a bad interception; he was more inaccurate than he's been as a starter, and man, take better care of yourself in the open field. Of course, that was mixed with the positives I listed earlier in the story, but he can — and will — be better.
Thumbs down for both tackles in pass protection and thumbs up for both tight ends.
Also, thumbs up to Marcus Jones, the coverage guy. The third-year pro is growing on me because he's right there even when he gets beat. I love his competitiveness, and he's improving in that regard as the season has progressed.