With under nine minutes to play, the Patriots took over the ball at midfield with a golden opportunity to get points, extend a 25-19 lead, and put the pesky Saints to rest, New Orleans-style, with the jazz funeral procession.
On first down, Drake Maye handed the ball to Rhamondre Stevenson, and he was met by old friend Davon Godchaux for a 1-yard loss. Maye did what he's been doing for over a month now, erasing the bad with a 10-yard completion and then a third-down conversion on a sneak (albeit with a fumble). That put the clock under 7 minutes.
Josh McDaniels once again called for a Stevenson run on first down. This one went for -3 yards. Though it kept the clock running, this time Maye wasn't able to bail out the group, and the Pats had to punt the ball back to the Saints. Thankfully, the defense did their part, but once again, New England's offense couldn't kill the clock on the ground, needing a low-percentage back shoulder throw 21 yards down the field to Kayshon Boutte to ice the game.
"We've had some good runs, we've had some pitiful ones, too," Mike Vrabel said on Monday. "We just have to make sure that there's a consistency, that we're coaching the details, that we're coaching the demeanor, understand that it's going to be some dirty runs in there and that we're going to have to make a guy miss or break a tackle, things that we've done throughout the season, and be able to do all those while taking care of the football and trying to move the line of scrimmage. Probably wished we had some more production in the run game there at the end. We got the one first down, and then we were able to throw for the second one."
The duo of Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson combined for 45 yards on 22 carries, and often ran defensively. In Stevenson's case, that's no doubt a byproduct of the fumbles, and has been the case since his two-turnover day against the Steelers. Henderson doesn't have that on his resume, but perhaps an emphasis on ball security has neutered him to some degree. Whatever the reason(s), the Pats are dead 29th in yards per carry, last in EPA per rush, and last in success rate per rush.
"Oh gosh, man, it's the talking point that's on the back of our minds, y'all's minds, everyone's minds, right now," center Garrett Bradbury said. "I have a lot of faith and confidence still in it. Close is a word you get tired of hearing. We're close, we're close, we're close, but you watch the film with the guys, and there's just a few plays, and we need to take more accountability as an O-line to have our guy never make the play."
On Sunday, there were more run busts courtesy of the offensive line than in recent weeks, when the backs ran into bodies instead of around or by. In particular, rookie left guard Jared Wilson and Bradbury had their hands full with Godchaux (who had been a major disappointment in NO up until this past weekend). Everyone across the board struggled to reach the second level and consistently finish blocks there.
"We're getting a hat on a hat, and I think we're doing some good things at the first level," Bradbury added. "And I think the first few weeks, we were really good at not having negative runs. And I think some of those are showing up a little bit. And so as an O-line, the priority is to take care of the downs, take care of the line of scrimmage, get your combos going, and then it's the second level. ... We need to finish blocks, sustain blocks, and get the backs to the third level, because that's when we really make them pay."
The Patriots have faced a steady diet of loaded boxes, and that hasn't helped matters. That may change as Maye continues to ascend. However, until that adjustment occurs, it remains a concern that, to this point, hasn't been remedied.
THUMBS UP
The artist formerly known as the Big Boy illustrated in his postgame story, but have yourself a day, Marcus Jones: three pass breakups, a sack, and his usual physical play against the run. If you hit this new regime with the truth serum, I bet they'd tell you Jones has been one of - if not the greatest - revelations on the team. From replaceable to extension candidate, IMO.
Drake Maye knew he could take over on Sunday, and he did. As I wrote in my postgame piece, his mental growth is what should excite you as much, if not more, than the physical. They are trusting him to make the right decisions, and he is. As for the physical, Maye nearly hit 21 MPHs on his 20-yard scramble, and don't think I missed the stiff-arm at the tail end of the play.
Christian Elliss went from being a liability to playing good football over the last two weeks. Sure, he got caught in a pickle when Spencer Rattler started to run, then pulled the ball back and dropped a 22-yard gain over his head, but Elliss filled the right gaps, made at least two open field tackles, and had that diving pass breakup. I don't know how much of this is related to the Patriots leaning on that three-linerbacker pairing (with Spillane and Tavai), but he looks like a different player.
Speaking of those linebackers, Robert Spillane has now been a tackling machine for four straight weeks. He knows what the offense is doing and where he needs to be to stop it.
Pop Douglas and Kayshon Boutte deserve a lot of credit for not letting their egos get in the way of a good thing through the first six weeks of the season. The ball isn't going their way consistently, but from day one this year, Boutte has made his targets count. As for Pop, that was a heads-up play on the first touchdown, finding open space. Ditto on the second one, but, well, the officials lost their collective minds. If you have social media, check out the effort Boutte made on his first TD. Just wouldn't be denied by Kool-Aid McKinstry, who is good.
Others of note: Khyiris Tonga drew one hold and could have easily drawn another. Kyle Williams didn't catch a pass, but drew a DPI and threw another good block on a Pop's 12-yard gain. Rookie safety Craig Woodson did an excellent job in run support.
THUMBS DOWN
A rather uneven game for rookie left guard Jared Wilson. He gave away a goal-line run with his stance (he was pulling) and Godchaux and the Saints' defensive line capitalized. The Pats had to settle for a field goal. Wilson had multiple runs where he struggled to reach the second level and was also overpowered at the point of attack on a couple of occasions. His pass blocking was adequate.
Stefon Diggs was singlehandedly responsible for two run stuffs. I know. I know. You don't care if he blocks or not. But you do care about the run game looking like that 1986 Ford Mustang I had that literally couldn't get up a damn hill in any kind of weather. Diggs contributed to its failings.
Speaking of, the tight ends aren't good blockers. Run or pass. And while I'm on that, Josh McDaniels should take any play call that asks Hunter Henry or Austin Hooper to pass block Cam Jordan, Carl Granderson or Chase Young and launch it straight into the sun.
Morgan Moses also had his share of issues. The 34-year-old has been solid, especially in pass protection, but he had his hands full on Sunday. There was one rep in particular where Granderson planted him on his ample hindquarters. On the flip side, there was one run game rep where Mike Onwenu did a nice job on the initial double team, and then Onwenu got to the linebacker. When the play was over, the two men high-5'd. I don't know why that amused me, but it did.
POWER RANKINGS
1. Tampa Bay (5-1): Baker Mayfield is authoring a way-too-early campaign for MVP. The Bucs' schedule has hardly been a cakewalk, and doesn't recede. Four of the next five games are at Detroit, against the Patriots, at the Bills, and at the Rams.
2. Indianapolis (5-1): Had a surprising tussle with Arizona but did what good teams do - found a way to win.
3. Kansas City (3-3): I apologize for everything I wrote about you guys. Rashee Rice returns from suspension. If not for one of the worst losses of the year (at Jacksonville two games ago), the Chiefs are rolling.
4. Green Bay (3-1-1): I'm still salty about that tie with Dallas, and Jordan Love low-key infuriates me, but they're still super talented.
5. Detroit (4-2): Tough loss at KC, and epic postgame meltdown by safety Brian Branch (punched JuJu), but that's a good football team.
6. Seattle (4-2): Darnold keeps balling, and that defense is tough to play against.
7. Philadelphia (4-2): They have the best roster in the league. Figure it out.
8. LA Chargers (4-2): The injury to Rashawn Slater this summer may be the difference in a deep run or another one-and-done playoff spot.
9. Pittsburgh (4-1): I don't believe but the record is what the record is.
10. New England (4-2): The Pats have Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel. And yes, this is happening sooner than I anticipated.
BOTTOM 5
28. Miami (1-5): The Dolphins should be 3-3, or even 4-2. Sometimes you get the bear. Sometimes the bear gets you. My mom used to tell me that. Shoutout to mom.
29. Cleveland (1-5): The Browns are probably a week or two away from handing the keys to Shedeur Sanders. Maybe in time for the trip to Foxborough.
30. New Orleans (1-5): The Saints aren't bad. But am I taking their roster over Baltimore, or NYG, or even Arizona? Nope.
31. New York Jets (0-6): Justin Fields couldn't hit the broadside of a barn if he were standing directly in front of it.
32. Tennessee (1-5): When you Google dumpster fire, the Titans come up.