Patriots
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Drake Maye debuts, O-Line implodes and three more takeaways from Patriots loss to Jets
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The risk-taking Patriots are playing the one way they will, but will it work against Aaron Rodgers and the Jets?
The Jets dominated their matchup with the Patriots on Thursday evening.
New England only managed 139 yards on offense. The Patriots had run more yards within the previous two weeks.
Aaron Rodgers effortlessly dismantled the Patriots’ undermanned defense.
The offensive line couldn’t protect either Jacoby Brissett or Drake Maye.
For the primary time this season, the Patriots stayed under 10 points. Here are three reasons for the loss.
Jets were more physical within the running game
After last week's loss to Seattle, coach Jerod Mayo told reporters that these Patriots are usually not a flowery football team.
Over the last two weeks, New England has been in a position to move the ball effectively on the bottom. The offensive line, despite its issues in pass protection, has been in a position to do enough within the run game to maintain the ball moving fairly consistently.
Thursday night was different. The Jets stopped New England's running game early and the Patriots kind of gave up within the second half after falling behind by double digits.
Rhamondre Stevenson was held to 23 yards on six fumble runs for the third straight game. Antonio Gibson only got the ball twice within the running game.
The Patriots defense is missing two of its best players in Christian Barmore and Ja'Whaun Bentley, and it showed. Braelon Allen and Breece Hall combined for over 100 yards, although neither had a run of over 11 yards. It was a solid, tough and physical performance by the New York backs and offensive line.
Problems within the offensive
It was an extended night for the Patriots offensive line. They failed to ascertain a run, which made their already questionable passing game much more vulnerable.
The Jets were within the Patriots' backfield all night. Jacoby Brissett was sacked five times. Drake Maye, who filled in for the ultimate minutes, was sacked on the last play of the sport.
There were several occasions where rushers got through completely unhindered. And communication issues were only a part of the issue. There were many instances where the offensive line was completely overwhelmed.
This offensive line had problems defending passes even when healthy. Injuries also took their toll; New England began with two rookies, Caedan Wallace and Layden Robinson.
Wallace left the sport within the fourth quarter with a knee injury, making the already thin roster of offensive tackles even thinner.
The Jets applied pressure everywhere in the field, and it was not a fairly sight for the Patriots.
Aaron Rodgers took them apart
Aaron Rodgers delivered a particularly efficient performance: he accomplished 27 of 35 passes for 281 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.
The 40-year-old Rodgers didn't need to make use of his legs or make big throws to interrupt through the Patriots' defense. He systematically dismantled them along with his fast game.
The recipe for fulfillment was short, quick running routes and benefiting from unfavorable opponent conditions, equivalent to with the 1.95 m tall and 102 kg heavy Allen Lazard, when the Patriots fielded smaller cornerbacks against him.
Rodgers consistently served tight end Tyler Conklin. He distributed the ball and hit eight different receivers, each of whom caught multiple balls. A wise performance from the four-time league MVP.
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