New England Patriots: Turnovers wreck team in loss to Ravens
The New England Patriots offense committed four turnovers against the Baltimore Ravens and lost a decision to a better Ravens team. They started fast in the second half to take a six-point lead at 20-14. But it didn’t last. They ultimately dropped a 37-26 as the turnovers were the difference.
The thought was that the Patriots were about to hit their stride with the new offensive coaches and new offense maybe, just maybe taking hold. It did, somewhat.
Yet, the Patriots vanilla offense continues to limit the unit’s progress. As all season long thus far, there are far too few play-action passes (which actually worked when they used them), RPO’s or any other deceptive wrinkles.
The Patriots’ defense also fell off against Baltimore. It was not good enough to contain dynamic Baltimore superstar quarterback, Lamar Jackson. While the offense was pegged to be the leader, it’s been the polar opposite in the first three games.
The defense has overall been better. But against Baltimore, they weren’t good enough either, folded late, and couldn’t get the necessary stops when it mattered most.
New England Patriots offense made too many mistakes
The Patriots’ offense (they entered the game 30th in pinpoint the NFL) sputtered early and their coaches have to shoulder much if not most of the blame for this. Not that that offense is loaded with talent, it isn’t. But it still should be performing better than it has. The game-calling is still hampering this team.
Mac Jones is still not the Mac Jones we knew. Jones threw three interceptions without a touchdown pass. That’s not good enough to beat any NFL team. In addition, he went off late with an injury. Not a great outlook there.
In addition, when the game was on the line, free agency signing bust Nelson Agholor fumbled after a reception, and that helped put the finishing touches on this disappointing loss.
The running game was again solid, led by Rhamondre Stevenson. But the four turnovers were crushing. The defense just couldn’t contain Jackson and company when all the marbles were at stake and the offense gave the ball away too often.
The Patriots’ defense carried the team in the first half. Three sacks by the surprising Dietrich Wise Jr. helped contain Ravens’ superstar quarterback, Lamar Jackson. Yet, the incomparable Jackson was not to be denied.
After taking a 20-14 lead, the defense buckled as Lamar Jackson marched the Ravens downfield quickly for a score. Baltimore led 21-20. The Patriots couldn’t answer the Ravens and a late third-quarter interception by Jones was damaging.
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New England’s offense is the polar opposite of the Ravens. Baltimore uses the multi-faceted talents of Jackson to fake, deceive, and flummox defenses with all kinds of deceptive playmaking. Meanwhile, the Patriots’ offense is as predictable as a Tom Brady great game every week.
Besides Stevenson’s decent performance, there was another positive takeaway. That was the play of wide receiver DeVante Parker who finally arrived on the scene with 156 yards on five receptions for the game. Parker’s emergence was a welcome addition but it just wasn’t enough.
Jackson, whom the draft-challenged Patriots passed on twice in the 2018 draft’s first round (sorry, but this was a draft gaffe of monumental proportions), was just too good and too much for the Patriots’ defense to contain.
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To sum up, there was some progress on offense but not enough, and the turnovers were telling. But the defense didn’t uphold its end of the bargain either. That was the story.
It’s beginning to look like the seasonal prediction of 9-8 or 8-9 is unfolding as expected. This is likely going to be a fair to a middling team. The personnel on this team is just not good enough.
Unfortunately, it is what it is, and what it is was built in the offseason.