New England Patriots: Quick takes on solid road win vs Chargers
The New England Patriots took a hard-earned win away against a good Los Angeles Chargers team, 27-24.
They started a bit slow. The Patriots played to a 7-7 tie in the first quarter. Not a bad start away for the visitors. OK.
After a big stop near the end of the first quarter highlighted by a big Matt Judon sack (who else?), the Patriots offense couldn’t capitalize.
Rookie quarterback Mac Jones was sacked on the last play. That one he may have been able to avoid.
This was Jones’ worst day, by far, as a Patriot. Not great. He’s human, and, hard as it is to say, he’s just a rookie, after all.
This space has been a top supporter all along. Maybe it was jet lag. Hope so. He was 8 of 22 in the first half…ouch!
New England Patriots somehow came out with the win
The story of the game was that the Patriots overcame a slew of mistakes and somehow came out of LA with a win.
The defense was gashed on a 75-yard run by Justin Jackson on a missed tackle by Dont’a Hightower and the Chargers scored shortly thereafter.
Mac Jones and the offense couldn’t answer the Chargers’ touchdown, a big pass to former Charger Hunter Henry notwithstanding.
Lousy play calling (a pass) on third down followed by an even worse one on fourth (another foolish pass) finished that drive. Both were perfect spots for rookie running back Rhamondre Stevenson.
The play-calling there has to be extensively questioned after that abomination. A run was in order on a third down play or a sneak and the same on fourth.
Poor clock management at the end of the half also was costly for New England.
Having finally figured out the obvious offensive line combination by putting Michael Onwenu at right tackle and Ted Karras at left guard, now the play-calling once again stymied the Patriots.
You should attempt two runs from the two-yard line against a team not good against the run. But, they didn’t and ended that drive with no points. Once again flawed coaching was terribly costly.
They then after a short field on the punt again failed to get a touchdown and this time the onus has to be on that offensive line and Jones.
They looked pedestrian at best in the red zone as the passing again failed them. They settled for a field goal. Not a great portend. Two red-zone conversion attempts resulted in three points. Poor.
The Patriots left the first half behind, 14-13. They should have been no worse than ahead 17-14. Hello Bill Belichick and the offensive coaching staff. Your first-half grade: D.
New England Patriots second half
In the third quarter, a nice drive and a touchdown run by Damien Harris were nullified by a holding penalty by Justin Herron. Herron is barely an NFL-level player. or not.
Then to make matters worse, another gaffe by Kendrick Bourne who fumbled right after followed taking the Patriots out of at least a field goal attempt. A comedy of errors (or tragedy) for certain.
This team continued and continues to be its own worst enemy. From the coaching staff to now the players. Again. And again.
How bad is the coaching? In the fourth quarter with 13 minutes left, they need a couple of yards and who do they hand off to, Brandon Bolden.
Now, Bolden has been a decent pass-catcher this season. Fine. But his rushing average before today was 2.8 yards per carrying.
So by all means. Mr. Josh McDaniels, give the ball to Bolden on a run on a critical third-down play. This is just another in the long examples of amateur coaching that has cost this team games.
The only saving grace for the New England Patriots was a pick-six by Adrian Phillips that made the difference. And Nick Folk the ever-reliable field goal kicker who sealed the win.
Next. New England Patriots Rumors: 3 cornerback trade targets at the deadline. dark
Earlier in the game, the counsel was going to be, sell, sell, sell before the trade deadline Tuesday. But now, it’s time to buy, buy, buy. The Patriots are now 4-4. Go for it!
They are in the thick of the fight for a playoff spot. They beat a good team today. And they showed lots of that particular attribute they’d need in the future, called character. They never quit. Nice.