How the Patriots made the single biggest play of a much-needed win
Mac Jones needed that. Bill Belichick needed that. The New England Patriots needed that.
It’s still a work in progress for the Pats’ offense, and Sunday’s game at a rainy, sloppy MetLife Stadium was always going to be a slow day for both teams. But days like these often come down to one play, one big pendulum swing. This time, it was Mac Jones’ pass to a wide-open Pharaoh Brown for a 58-yard touchdown catch-and-run.
How did they pull off the game’s single biggest play? In classic Belichickian Patriots fashion, it came down to simple preparation and execution. They drew the play up during the week, worked on it, then called it and executed it the best possible way, at the best possible time. And it took everyone: Bill O’Brien’s play-call, solid blocking, Jones’ play-action fake, a heads-up Brown completing the catch and finishing it at the pylon.
The finish was sneaky-huge, because if Brown came up a yard or two short, a touchdown on the ensuing series wasn’t guaranteed. But he grabbed the Pats’ only score of the game, and enough for Jones and the offense to get out of New York with a win that felt like a must for the entire organization.
“It was just a little play-action play,” Jones said on the touchdown. “We kind of knew it was going to work, and he made a great catch (Brown). “We worked on that in practice, and it worked in the game, so, that’s what we want.”
Pharaoh in the air!@MacJones_10 | @PharaohsDream
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 24, 2023
📺 on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/x5jgLZE8rK
Asked a follow-up on how he knew the play was going to work: “I’mma keep it to myself.” Then a chuckle. Possible translation: it’s the Jets.
Belichick had to love that one play, because of the way it took all 11 guys executing to get it done, not to mention the coaches having everyone prepared and O’Brien making a timely call.
“We started to have a little continuity on the offensive line, so that was good, I think that definitely helped the running game,” Belichick said. “Coach O’Brien did a good job mixing the play-actions in there. He hit a big pass. And I think probably the running game helped that a little bit. The more we can keep these guys working together and improve our timing and execution, the better off we’re gonna be. No turnovers, that’s a good place to start.”
Caveats: The Brown touchdown, while a big moment for him, was obviously the kind of thing that happens because of a busted coverage. The Patriots ultimately scored only 15 points and won largely because of their defense, which had a better start-to-finish 60-minute effort. The offense still needs to improve a lot in order to be in position to beat better teams. And to be absolutely certain, Jets quarterback Zach Wilson is not good, and head coach Robert Saleh’s staff clearly got out-coached by Belichick and the Patriots.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ: Pharaoh Brown of the New England Patriots makes a catch for a touchdown against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 24, 2023. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
But we already knew the Patriots had a good defense and head coach, we already knew Wilson stunk, and we already knew this was going to be a tough game for moving the ball and scoring. There’s no news there. The important thing coming out of this game for the Patriots, especially for Mac Jones and the offense, is whether they can start making more winning plays and playing more winning football.
Jones took a solid step forward in that department on Sunday. He played better than the stats would suggest in a turnover-free, mostly well-managed performance, and he was able to connect with Brown for one massive play that basically decided the game. And it was a total team effort.
Read more on the New England Patriots below…
Patriots Ups & Downs: Who stood out in Week 3 at the Jets?
The New England Patriots are 1-2 on the season after a 15-10 win over the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Here are 10 players we graded “UP” or “DOWN” based on their performance in the game…
UP: QB Mac Jones
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 24: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots warms up prior to a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 24, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Mac played a lot better than the stats would suggest. He completed just 51.7 percent of his passes for 201 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions, an 85.6 passer rating. But he played enough winning football to keep the offense moving the ball fairly well on a rainy, sloppy afternoon.
Most importantly, Jones played his first turnover-free game of the season. He’s been decisive with the football all season, and this game was more of the same from him. He continues to make what he can out of a rough situation for the Patriots’ weapons and offensive line.
Blemishes on Jones’ day: a pair of fourth-quarter drives that came up short, when Jones had a chance to ice the game himself. Instead, the Patriots needed some clutch defense down the stretch and barely stopped a Hail Mary. But all in all, a good, winning effort from the third-year QB.
DOWN: WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 24: JuJu Smith-Schuster #7 of the New England Patriots runs for a first down in the second quarter of a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 24, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Only one catch for five yards, and Smith-Schuster also committed a bad illegal blocking penalty that torpedoed an early-third-quarter drive. He later fell down on a key third down play late in the fourth quarter, which nearly spelled trouble for the Patriots as they clung to a three-point lead.
The Patriots offense could start humming if Smith-Schuster can put it together, but he’s not there yet. And there should be urgency for him to do so, because he’s probably going to keep getting the playing time.
UP: TE Pharaoh Brown
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 24: Pharaoh Brown #86 of the New England Patriots scores a touchdown in the second quarter of a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 24, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Brown caught the entire Jets secondary napping on his 58-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown, easily the biggest play of the game. And Brown wasn’t a one-hit wonder, either, adding another catch for 13 yards. If Jones and Brown can occasionally connect on good play-calls that leave him wide open, that’s a plus.
DOWN: LG Cole Strange
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 24: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots throws a pass in the first quarter of a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 24, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Strange must still be playing a little banged-up, or simply isn’t ready to execute cleanly throughout the game, because he had another shaky afternoon. He also couldn’t play the whole game, as rookie Atonio Mafi came in for him. Before that, Strange committed a holding penalty that fizzled out a drive. Plenty of football left, but it’s been a slow start to the season for Strange.
UP: LB Matthew Judon
Sep 24, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) is sacked by New England Patriots linebacker Josh Uche (55) and linebacker Matthew Judon (9) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Judon came up with the most clutch play of the game, when he made a perfect spin move to bring down Zach Wilson in the end zone for a safety. The play not only got the Jets off the field but extended the lead over three, which forced the Jets to have to score a touchdown on their final possession.
The Patriots’ biggest defensive star certainly delivered overall, with two sacks and three total QB hits. But the safety alone would have landed him among the “UPs.”
DOWN: WR DeVante Parker
Sep 25, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots receiver DeVante Parker (1) catches the ball during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Parker appeared to stop running on an early third down play, which stalled out the Patriots’ first drive from a possible touchdown. He finished with just two catches for 19 yards. A lackluster game for No. 1.
UP: K Chad Ryland
Sep 24, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New England Patriots place kicker Chad Ryland (37) looks up after kicking a field goal during the first half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
It was a big day going into the game for the rookie kicker, as the weather slowed everything down and he would need to hit his kicks in the wetness. Ryland also had to overcome some bad operation in front of him (more on that below), but he was able to convert two of his attempts, including a 51-yarder in the third quarter. Solid game for the kid.
DOWN: LS Joe Cardona
Oct 31, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; New England Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona (49) during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Rain or no rain, you can’t have multiple high snaps in a game when your only job is to snap the football. Cardona was off the mark on two separate field goal misses, throwing off the whole kicking operation. Cardona is pretty much always an “UP” as long as he snaps cleanly, but this was one of his worst days.
UP: CB Christian Gonzalez
Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (6) prepares for a game against the Philadelphia Eagles during the warm-up period at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Gonzalez was largely tasked with covering Jets star receiver Garrett Wilson, and the results don’t lie. Wilson finished with five catches for 48 inconsequential yards, failing to make any explosive plays against Gonzalez in coverage.
We’ll see exactly how good Gonzalez can be, but the Patriots have landed a legit player in the impressive rookie corner.
UP: S Jabrill Peppers
Sep 24, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers (5) returns a punt as New York Jets safety Ashtyn Davis (21) pursues during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Gonna close it out on the ol’ double-UP on what was largely a good day for the Patriots, especially the defense. Peppers made valuable contributions on both defense and special teams. He made a team-leading seven tackles and returned two punts for 25 yards. Peppers is off to a great start in year 2 here.
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Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Check out all of Matt’s content here.
