Patriots
Welcome to the Unconventional Review, a spontaneous response to outstanding events, statistics and storylines from the Patriots' last game…
Two games, one win and one loss into Jerod Mayo's tenure as coach, the Patriots have begun to understand some interconnected truths.
- They are a powerful running and hitting team, tough and united, and it was a pleasure to look at them.
- Only in this manner will they win overall.
- And even in the event that they play that way – as they learned on Sunday within the 23-20 additional time loss to the Seahawks in the house opener at Gillette Stadium – it won't all the time be enough.
The Patriots' margin for error shall be slim against virtually every opponent on their schedule on account of a chronically leaky offensive line, a balanced and smart but limited quarterback, an inexperienced head coach, and an overall talent drawback.
Their best hope for a win most weeks is that their stout defense will propel them up and help them overcome the weaknesses of an offense that won't really be fixed until at the very least another influx of draft talent.
In Sunday's loss, the defense didn’t live as much as those high standards. It wasn't bad, nevertheless it wasn't pretty much as good because it needed to be, especially in pass defense.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith accomplished 33 of 44 passes for 327 yards and one touchdown. 27 of his passes went to wide receivers, who totaled 282 receiving yards, including DK Metcalf (10 catches, 129 yards, 1 touchdown) and Jaxon Smith-Njigba (12-117-0) each with over 100 yards.
This style of performance is in stark contrast to the Patriots' wide receivers, who had just three catches for 19 yards, including Ja'Lynn Polk's 5-yard reception in the primary quarter for his first profession touchdownThat was the Patriots' first pass catch by a receiver. They didn't catch one other one until the fourth quarter.
Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez and safety Kyle Dugger — two of the team's best players — collided on Metcalf's 56-yard touchdown pass late in the primary quarter. Patriots defensive backs Marco Wilson and Jonathan Jones also committed pass interference penalties on the Seahawks' touchdown drives, although the decision against Jones in additional time was hair-raising at best.
Some further thoughts after immediate review…
Three players price watching
Players suggested within the Unconventional Preview: Christian Gonzalez, DeMario Douglas, Kenneth Walker III.
Antonio Gibson: The Patriots have had a powerful lineup of running backs throughout their dynasty years, from JR Redmond and Kevin Faulk to Danny Woodhead and Shane Vereen and the very best of all of them, James White.
Although he didn't retire until the following training camp, White's profession effectively ended when he suffered a hip injury in Week 3 of the 2021 season. That line also ended with him.
So it was a nice look back and a glimmer of hope for this offense on Sunday when Gibson looked like he belonged with them.
The five-year veteran, who signed within the offseason after 4 seasons with Washington, finished the sport with 96 rushing yards on just 11 attempts, including a 45-yard run with just over seven minutes left within the fourth quarter after initially appearing to be cornered within the backfield.
Gibson had only one goal and one catch within the passing game, nevertheless it was a very important one on the time – a 7-yard wheel route within the third quarter to increase a drive that ended with a touchdown run by Rhamondre Stevenson on a direct snap.
Stevenson also had a very good day, rushing for 81 yards on 21 carries against a Seahawks defense that expected the run, but we knew he was good. The way Gibson ran the ball was a revelation – and a sign that the Patriots can have a running back duo.
Hunter Henry: The preseason prediction that Henry will lead the 2024 Patriots in pass catches is encouraging. He finished the season with a career-high eight catches for 109 yards, including 5 for 56 yards in the primary quarter and seven for 98 yards in the primary half.
Julian Love and the Seahawks defense had a greater handle on Henry within the second half, limiting him to a single catch after halftime, nevertheless it was a vital one at that time.
His massive 11-yard gain after bending to catch a changeup from retreating Jacoby Brissett gave the Patriots a primary down on the ultimate play of the third quarter, a drive that culminated in Stevenson's touchdown run and a 20-17 lead.
Keion White: Is it too early to say the Patriots have a defensive star within the making? I don't think so, do you? After his 2½ sack performance within the opening game against the Bengals – which earned him high praise from Bill Belichick, amongst others – White was a force for the second week in a row.
He finished the season with seven tackles, 1½ sacks, two quarterback hits and one tackle for loss. A pace of 34 sacks after two games of the season? For everyone except the Lions' Aidan Hutchinson, that's a unprecedented start.
Complaint of the sport
This week, an easy and specific call. The Patriots led 20-17 with slightly below 4 minutes left in regulation when Joey Slye's 48-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Love. Had he made it, the Patriots would have led 23-17. Instead, the Seahawks marched down the sphere and tied the sport with Jason Myers' 38-yard field goal with 55 seconds left. Consider it a very unnecessary reminder that the Patriots cannot afford any special teams breakdowns.
Three notes within the margin
Projected final rating: Seahawks 14, Patriots 13
Final rating: Seahawks 23, Patriots 20 (additional time)
Prediction: Caeden Wallace will catch a touchdown pass this season. If he is available in as an eligible receiver and de facto sixth lineman, that's pretty much as good as an announcement that the Patriots are going to run. I'm betting offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt takes advantage of that in some unspecified time in the future… Dugger led the Patriots (together with Jonathan Jones) with eight tackles, including three for loss, but that Metcalf mix-up stays… Bryce Baringer averaged 57 yards on six punts and placed three contained in the 20. Belichick didn't draft the correct kicker last yr in Chad Ryland, but he got his punter alternative right.
More coverage of the Patriots from Sunday:
⋅ Instant evaluation: Patriots show their weaknesses in additional time loss to Seahawks
⋅ Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones looks for answers after late penalty
⋅ Can Patriots defensive end Keion White be blocked one-on-one? It doesn't appear like it
⋅ Ja'Lynn Polk's first NFL touchdown is the highlight of the day for Patriots rookies
image credit : www.boston.com