Where Did The Patriots Offense Rise And Fall In 26-3 Blowout Win?
The Patriots are finally over .500, it’s the first time they can say that about this season. The way they outclassed the Colts to get there certainly inspires confidence in the team moving forward. In fact, the defense was so dominant that I didn’t see a point in making an overall three up, three down article, and instead decided to focus on the offense there. Here, I analyze what the Patriots did and didn’t do well on that side of the ball.
Offensive Positives For The Patriots
Proper Use Of The Tight Ends
Patriots fans have been clamoring for it for some time now. They have a pair that has the potential to be the best tight-end duo in Foxborough since 2012. The ever-reliable albeit conventional downfield threat Hunter Henry and the dynamic and versatile Jonnu Smith have everything they need to make a high impact – on paper. Neither of them had made an impact this season, and the offensive coaching staff hadn’t figured out a way to use them best.
Today, they were the center of the attack axis and combined for seven of Mac Jones’ 20 completions. Jonnu was primarily used in tight-end screens, where his speed could be the center of attention, and Henry was used downfield and had multiple drive-extending catches. If they can build on this in future games – and they have a bye week to mull a LOT over – it can add a fearsome element to the offense.
Passes That Kept Out Of Trouble
Turnovers had been a huge problem for Mac Jones all season. While there was a lot that Mac could have done better this game, the road back to the form he wants to be at takes a series of steps. One of them was accomplished. Not only did Mac not have an interception, he didn’t have a single pass deflection, nor did he have any passes that were put in dangerous situations.
Especially with this happening against a great colts defense, it’s a big step forward for Jones. Winning the turnover battle will be a must moving forward, and being on the plus side of the TD:INT ratio with one touchdown on the day, Mac will certainly see his confidence rise. The next step, of course, is adding aggression while still maintaining that ball security.
Offensive Areas Of Work For The Patriots
Pass Protection
The offensive line has gone from bad to worse. Injuries are certainly an aspect, but not the only reason. Marcus Cannon’s injury brought Isaiah Wynn back in, while David Andrews made way for Yodny Cajuste. And while both had awful performances today, the unit as a whole simply missed too many blocks and didn’t create enough time for Mac Jones. The constant pressure will have effects on not only individual plays, but Jones’ play style in general.
Mac took four sacks, but that number was only reduced due to his quick releases and some good scrambles, and he was hit a total of seven times. If plays can’t develop, or even if the quarterback loses the belief that plays can develop, the offense will always have a constraint on their top level.
Kendrick Bourne
At the beginning of the season, the problem was definitely usage with Bourne. He was being played in such a limited capacity that he could never get in a groove, and when he was playing, he actually showed signs of brilliance for the Patriots. But even with increased usage, he hasn’t yet started to get near the level he was playing at last year. Today, he had three catches for just 11 yards. However, on two of those catches, he fumbled the ball, one of which resulted in a turnover. Furthermore, he had a costly drop on a very good Mac Jones throw early in the game.
Bourne’s 2021 production for the Patriots, specifically how he and Mac Jones synced, shows that he’s capable of much better than this. But for the Patriots to make the playoffs and achieve the offensive evolution required to do that, he needs to return to last year’s level.
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