Nitpicks & Nitwits: Ol’ Ugly Rears Its’ Head Again

Let’s not kid ourselves. The New England Patriots can’t fight their way out of a paper bag right now on offense.

Some of that is execution. Some of that is on Mac Jones. Some of that is on play-calling. Some of that is on an offensive line that has been, well, offensive at times. Some of that is on receivers who can’t remember snap counts or illegal formations. Some of that is on dismal red-zone performance.

Should I continue? That shouldn’t be necessary. You see it, the media sees it…the coaches and players even see it. Explaining it is another matter. And correcting it?

Some of that is a Mission Impossible, it seems.

– CUE the familiar theme music here – 

But the Patriots did beat the New York Jets Sunday, right? They did, 10-3, in a game that certainly wasn’t much suited for anyone’s fantasy team, but was fantastic for fans of throwback-era, slobber-knockin’ defense with a twist of extra-special special teams at the end. Marcus Jones‘ 84-yard punt return for the only touchdown with five seconds remaining was an absolute joy to watch unfold.

And absolute misery for fans of the J-E-T-S who may have sensed an end to what is now a 14-game losing streak to New England. The decision to punt to Jones in the middle of the field – in a game with crosswinds swirling and where NY punter Braden Mann had largely kicked well toward the sidelines previously – only added to the agony.

17 punts in the game? The Patriots, with a new punter in Michael Palardy (Jake Bailey was put on IR last week), punted seven times. Mann punted 10 times. The two teams combined for a 2-for-4 effort on field goals for the games’ only points before Jones’ theatrics, with Big Kick Nick Folk managing an uncharacteristically pedestrian 1-of-3 with two hook shots on his misses.

Man, that was some excitement. Man, that was also some kind of joke for many. But it was also a thing of beauty for a New England defense that held the Jets to TWO total yards of offense in the second half – setting a franchise record for fewest yards allowed in a half of football.

103 total yards allowed in the game was the fourth fewest EVER for a Patriots’ defense in 63 years. No touchdowns allowed for a second straight week. Their first win over an opponent without an offensive TD in 19 years. And Matt Judon picked up another sack-and-a-half, increasing his career-best total to 13.

It was all just enough to win the game, and not spoil a defensive effort that goes into the record books. It was ugly. But from this point of view – ol’ ugly is better than ol’ nuthin’.

It’s a phrase you might hear again this season with these Patriots.

– Mission Impossible theme ends, if only for a few more days – 

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Fix the OL, fix Mac?

You’ve probably heard this said already. But there is some truth to this. The Patriots have depth up front, it’s something they have developed with their offensive philosophy through the years. The quality of play from that depth, however, is questionable.

The early loss of David Andrews to injury, after returning from missed time with a concussion, could be devastating. Especially to a guy like rookie Cole Strange, who had his hands full with the physical Jets front. Trent Brown didn’t start, apparently being sent a message by the coaching staff until Isaiah Wynn (wonder if he’s received any of his messages?) left the game with an injury of his own.

Is there any wonder the guys up front can’t seem to get their (expletive deleted) together? New York sacked Mac six times Sunday.

Which is why putting Jones in a shotgun formation seems to be fools’ gold. Or just plain foolish, since the guys up front still have trouble protecting him.

Miss-a-kick Nick

Ok, this is unfair. But it’s also a legitimate nitpick, since the Patriots’ offense is completely reliant on Nick Folk’s ability to make field goals in tough situations.

And while he hit one from 24 yards in the second quarter for the only New England offense of the day, extending his streak of made kicks under 40 yards to 53 straight (and the longest current streak in the NFL), he missed from 44 yards in the second quarter and from 43 yards out in the third.

Scores there would have rendered Marcus Jones’ punt return moot. But exciting, nonetheless.

Offensive offense

By this point in any season, you know what you’ve got. Or what you don’t got.

Four-for-15 on third down conversions? Oh-for-one on fourth down? Oh-for-two in the red zone?

Does anyone remember what a red zone touchdown looks like, feels like, or smells like?  It’s been so long. The saving grace Sunday was a very defensive defense.

There was also a big advantage in time of possession (35:30 to 24:30), Mac Jones’ 85% completion rate and 297 yards against a Jets “D” that is playing like one of the best units out there.

But the offense? U-g-l-y. And there ain’t much alibi.