Here are the grades on the New England Patriots debacle from Week 3, as the New Orleans Saints completely outplayed the home team in every facet of the game and humiliated them in the process.
Frankly, this was a sickeningly reminiscent performance of New England Patriots teams of the past in the pre-Tom Brady era. Like many of those versions, this team couldn’t do anything right.
Boy, did this writer and lots of other observers get this team wrong. So let’s take a look at all the things that stunk in this dud of a game against a good New Orleans team.
The Patriots spit the bit in each of the three phases of the game Sunday. Not to mention, it was a particularly brutal showing from the coaching staff. Let’s take a look at the three phases and the coaching, and evaluate and grade each.
Grades on all phases of the New England Patriots loss against the Saints
New England Patriots on Offense
For the first time in more than a year, Patriots quarterback Mac Jones had a relatively poor game. He threw for 270 yards on 30 of 51 and a touchdown. But the big stat was three picks.
That’s not going to get it done (no matter how they occur) in the NFL. But it says here it ain’t all on Jones. He’s still lacking the support he needs to get the job done.
The main onus for the poor offensive performance rests primarily on Bill Belichick and his poor offensive line personnel decision-making.
Belichick persists in playing Justin Herron or another waiver wire type at right tackle. It’s not working Bill, and you are on the verge of a one and three start to the season as a stark reminder.
Belichick has done nothing to plug the massive hole left by Trent Brown’s injury. The annoying part is that he has options.
Once again he didn’t even try them and it cost him the game. Michael Onwenu to right tackle and Ted Karras to left guard is the move. The move wasn’t made. Game over.
The result was that Jones again had little or no time to pass. When he does, it’s not much time. Two of his receivers, Kendrick Bourne and Jakobi Meyers, had good statistical games.
But these receivers aren’t game-breakers. The big-money free agent, Nelson Agholor, caught only two passes for a meager 17 yards. That’s not going to get the job done.
The running game also did nothing. But in fairness, there was no room to run. The offensive line didn’t open any holes. The running game had 49 total yards. Pitiful. ‘Nuf said.
And they relied on Brandon Bolden late in the game. See below under coaching. Right now, they are pitiful but it all goes back to the terrible offensive line.
New England Patriots passing game was inept
To make things worse, Jones got hit on a rush and threw his first interception, one of three on the day. That led to a touchdown.
Poor Mac Jones. No doubt he wishes he was back in the safe confines of Alabama. (Note: actually, it’s almost certain he doesn’t. He’ll be back. Count on it.)
Hunter Henry had a false start penalty at the end of the half that derailed a possible touchdown. They had to settle for a field goal. Not good enough.
Then to open the second half, a pass to stone-fingers Jonnu Smith went off his hands for a Saints’ pick-six. And that was that.
Can someone please find Jonnu Smith some gloves? Or stick’em. Something. How many drops can one guy have?
Smith has been a train wreck. He can’t be on the field unless and until he finds a way to catch a ball. I have to ask, who actually scouts these guys?
Tight ends Smith and Hunter Henry, the two free-agent signings we all expected to help upgrade the New England Patriots offense simply put, haven’t. To date, they’ve been flops.
It wasn’t until late in the third quarter that the offense had even a decent drive. Using Brandon Bolden helped extinguish that drive.
Bolden does not warrant a spot on any gameday roster. He lacks speed, elusiveness, and power. More on this later under coaching.
The offense in total was overwhelmed by the Saints defense and it was tough to watch. Final Grade: D-
New England Patriots on defense
The defense allowed the Saints to drive right down the field on the first drive of the game and score a touchdown. Great start.
Then, they tightened up a bit but still allowed New Orleans to drive down the field and only two missed field goals kept the score seven zero before the interception gave the Saints another seven points.
All in all, once again there wasn’t enough pass rush. They tackled poorly. They couldn’t contain anyone, never mind wonder back Alvin Kamara.
Kamara slashed and gashed the Patriots the entire game. He was a great player against a poor defense.
They also allowed a miracle touchdown while quarterback Jameis Winston was actually being sacked as Jonathan Jones couldn’t make a play on his desperation flip. That’s what losing teams do folks. Final Grade: D-
New England Patriots on Special Teams
This will be brief. The special teams also had an uncharacteristically lousy game. A blocked punt was there. There was a false start on the long-snapper. The only positives were two Nick Folk field goals, but touchdowns were needed. Final Grade: D-
New England Patriots Coaching
This is also an easy grade. Bill Belichick and co. have done nothing to rectify a lousy offensive line that can’t protect the quarterback, can’t open running lanes, and basically can’t do much of anything well.
Belichick may have the solution available yet won’t use it. That’s one reason for his one and two start to the season which will be one and three by next Sunday night.
This type of obstinacy and/or lack of judgment is simply incomprehensible in a coach of his experience and pedigree. Yet, it continues.
He persists in using options that aren’t working when an obvious alternative that might work (it’s at least worth a try) isn’t utilized. It’s a prescription for a 4-13 season.
As noted above, he also used the slow as molasses Brandon Bolden on a third and one near the end of the half that took the air out of a fine drive to that point.
Where is Rhamondre Stevenson? He’s possibly still in the dog house (though maybe hurt?) because of his fumble in the opener.
Is this is another instance of Belichick’s hurting the team with his bizarre decisions, a la Malcolm Butler in the Philadelphia Super Bowl? Who knows. Whatever.
Hate to say it and it pains to do so, but after all the optimism before the season, it looks like the New England Patriots have metamorphosed into the New York Jets.
It could be back to the future for the New England Patriots. For veteran fans, we’ve seen this picture before. For younger fans, welcome to a no-Tom Brady Patriots reality. It ain’t pretty.
We fans can expect an even more severe beatdown next week. This team is headed for one and three and toward the bottom of the AFC East in a hurry.
They’ll be there after being throttled in next Sunday night’s game against a dominating Tom Brady and the Bucs.
That’s a certainty, this space’s previous prediction notwithstanding. I’ll be preparing my dish of baked crow with lots of gravy to eat next week.
Oh well, as they say often in Foxborough, it is what it is. And what it is ain’t good. It ain’t very good at all.
And, it could get much, much worse this season. But no predictions emanating from here. Lesson learned. What a revolting development this is. Final Grade: F