New England Patriots: Quick observations on the Jets game
Here are some quick observations on the New England Patriots Week 7 contest against the New York Jets this Sunday afternoon.
Let’s take a look at the positives and negatives in this critical win, as the team clobbered the Jets by a score of 54-13.
New England Patriots deficiencies against the Jets
First, the Patriots are not a good tackling team. There were too many misses on tackles that should have been made both by defensive linemen and the secondary in particular.
Against the Jets, you can get away with it, but not against good teams. This is a deficiency they have to remedy.
The defense is still giving up big plays on third down. That’s the sign of a poor unit. Last week they couldn’t stop the Dallas Cowboys on a 4th & 4 nor on a 3rd & 25. Those plays blew the game.
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Sunday against the Jets, they still gave up big third-down conversions against a really poor Jets offense.
Offensively, the Patriots’ passing attack is not effective when Mac Jones is under center. They should scrap that aspect of the offense. Period. It’s not working. He’s much more effective in the shotgun. Otherwise, it’s tough to find much to not like about this drubbing of the Jets.
New England Patriots offensive highlights against the Jets
Though Jones was not as sharp as he usually is against the Jets, he still completed 66.6 percent of his passes with two touchdowns.
Speaking of Jones’ accuracy, the CBS telecast noted that Jones’ 71.1 completion percentage through his first six games is the best ever in the NFL for a rookie quarterback.
Jones is becoming a top field general. As he gets more experience and a better supporting cast, the sky is the limit for Jones.
Jones was highly touted and has exceeded expectations. Absent some obtuse personnel decisions by his coaches, this team could have a 5-2 or even a 6-1 record. They are now 3-4.
Contrary to poorly informed scouting reports, Jones can also run. That was evident. He scrambled for an almost 15-yard run on a 3rd & 10 in the second quarter. He’s quick. Jones led the Patriots to 31 first-half points. Not a bad relatively “poor” half’s work.
On the offensive line, with Isaiah Wynn back at left tackle (he’s not great, but he’s better than Justin Herron), Bill Belichick started Michael Onwenu at right tackle and Ted Karras at left guard.
As expected and advocated for since after the first game when Trent Brown went out injured, it made a huge difference. Too bad it’s six games too late. They blew three or four wins as a result.
The Patriots converted on a fourth and one. Where has that been in prior games? When you have a super-accurate quarterback, you can go for it with a high likelihood of making the first.
Hunter Henry had a great catch on a one-yard touchdown at the end of the first half. He’s getting the job done and scoring touchdowns. Jonnu Smith looked good before going out with a shoulder injury.
Damien Harris has continued his strong running with another 100-yard game, and he is certainly justifying the third-round pick the New England Patriots spent on him back in 2019. J.J. Taylor had two touchdowns on the ground, as well. It was a nice game for the backs.
New England Patriots’ defensive highlights
Christian Barmore is already the New England Patriots’ best defensive lineman. He’s their best D-line pass rusher. He’s their best run stopper. He pushes the pocket and he’s their best tackler.
Barmore was constantly in the Jets’ backfield and was a handful all day for the beleaguered Jets offensive line. The other defensive linemen weren’t.
At the end of the first half, he was in on Jets backup quarterback Mike White and set up a sack by newly activated Daniel Ekuale.
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Kyle Dugger and J.C. Jackson had interceptions, but after Barmore and a couple of batted down passes, there really wasn’t too much to crow about.
The passing defense was OK today, but needs to get better. The Patriots had a big win Sunday but it was the Jets they were playing after all. What do you think were the positives and negatives from this game?