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New England Patriots

New England Patriots

New England Patriots

Final: Patriots drop ugly one to Saints, 28-13

By Matt Dolloff
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 12: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots calls out the snap count against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at Gillette Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

We’ve got you covered all afternoon as the New England Patriots take on the New Orleans Saints at Gillette Stadium in a Week 3 matchup. Keep smashing that refresh button and scrolling down for live updates during the game, plus highlights and analysis.

  • FINAL: Saints 28, Patriots 13

    The Patriots dropped an ugly one on Sunday afternoon to the New Orleans Saints. Pretty much every positional group on the roster (and some coaches) came up short at one point or another in the game, as turnovers, back-breaking mistakes, poor pass protection, questionable play-calling, and bad situational defense combined to make this a regrettable effort from the Pats.

    We’ll have more coverage for you later on Sunday, as the Patriots fall to 1-2 on the 2021 season.

  • Q4, 2:37: Taysom Hill caps statement drive with TD run

    The Patriots had a chance to complete a fourth-quarter comeback … if they made a stop. Instead, the Saints drive 75 yards in 13 plays and drain 6:45 off the clock to go up 28-13, and essentially seal a big road win.

    Defensively, the Patriots had started to make plays up front to pressure Jameis Winston. Unfortunately, that evaporated at the worst possible time.

  • Q4, 9:22: Bourne touchdown brings Pats within one score

    The Patriots have cut the Saints’ lead to 21-13 after Mac Jones hits Kendrick Bourne for a 22-yard touchdown. Bourne went up and caught a high lob in tight coverage around the 2-yard line, then reached the ball around the pylon to complete the score.

  • Q3, 1:32: Patriots take nine minutes, 16 plays for field goal

    The Patriots drove 72 yards in 16 plays and over nine minutes of time … for a field goal. Nick Folk’s attempt is good and the Patriots now trail 21-6.

    Mac Jones still has not attempted a pass into the end zone. They’ll have to go for touchdowns at some point if they want to come back and win this game.

  • Q3, 14:51: First play of third quarter is pick-six

    On the first play of the third quarter, a Mac Jones pass attempt for Jonnu Smith is bobbled and lands in the hands of Saints’ Malcolm Jenkins, who runs it back for an easy pick-six. Saints with a dagger to go up 21-3 to start the second half.

  • HALFTIME: Saints 14, Patriots 3.

    That’s a first half the Patriots would like to have back.

    Despite playing better in the second quarter than the first quarter overall, a back-breaking Mac Jones interception set up the Saints’ second touchdown of the game, a 14-point swing. The pass protection hasn’t been good all day for the Patriots.

    Jameis Winston, meanwhile, has had a lot more clean pockets to work with, despite getting some pressure late in the first half. But that’s the biggest difference so far: Winston is handling the pass-rush better than Jones, and making plays when protected. The Saints have a 1-0 edge in the turnover battle so far, which Sean Payton told his team was a point of emphasis. Patriots have a lot to clean up for the second half, but find themselves down only 11.

  • Q2, 1:44: Saints score the touchdown, anyway

    Jameis Winston is pressured and heaves it toward the back of the end zone, into tight coverage, as he’s falling. amazingly, Marquez Callaway catches it for the touchdown. 14-0 Saints with halftime looming. But the Patriots have 1:44 to get some points before then.

  • Q2, 2:39: Jones intercepted

    On third-and-10, Mac Jones gets rid of the ball under pressure, but unfortunately it’s into a sea of Patriots defenders. P.J. Williams nearly ran the ball back for a touchdown, but Brandon Bolden jarred the ball loose and he was down by contact at that point. The play was initially ruled a touchdown before being reversed. But the Saints now have the ball at the Patriots’ 9-yard line, anyway.

  • Q2, 4:55: Saints field goal is no good, again

    Well, at least the Patriots have one thing going for them. Saints kicker Aldrick Rosas missed another field goal, this time from only 36 yards, so the score is still just 7-0. Patriots take over from their own 26-yard line with 4:13 left in the first half.

    Matt Judon made a sack on Jameis Winston during the drive, which dropped the Saints back and generally felt like a huge play in the game.

  • Q1, 7:52: Patriots lose James White, punt again

    A tough blow for the Patriots offense: RB James White had to be carted off and was quickly ruled out with a hip injury. The Patriots moved the ball after the White injury, but ultimately can’t convert a third-and-10 and have to punt again.

    Jake Bailey’s punt was blocked by Saints LB Andrew Dowell, setting up New Orleans with good field position.

  • Q2, 12:46: Finally, some pressure on Jameis Winston

    Christian Barmore and Chase Winovich broke through to pressure Jameis Winston, who is forced to run with the ball and comes up short of the first down. Saints forced to punt. A good-looking defensive stop for the Pats.

  • End Q1: Saints 7, Patriots 0

    The Patriots got a defensive stop after the offense had to punt, bringing down Taysom Hill on a carry short of the line to gain. New Orleans had to settle for a field goal, and Aldrick Rosas’ attempt is no good, so the score remains 7-0 Saints. Damien Harris takes a run for a two-yard loss, and that’s how the first quarter ends.

    Other than the Saints’ touchdown drive, it’s been a defensive back-and-forth. The Pats had some coverage problems playing a zone look against Jameis Winston on the TD drive, which included completions of 12 and 17 yards. They also aren’t getting as much pressure on Winston as the Saints are on Mac Jones, so far. The Pats take over with a chance to tie the game to start the second quarter.

  • Q1, 7:35: Saints draw first blood, find the end zone

    So much for stopping Alvin Kamara. Jameis Winston finds Kamara wide-open over the middle for a walk-in touchdown catch-and-run. Patriots linebacker Kyle Van Noy was in the area on Kamara’s catch, but didn’t react quickly enough. Winston completed passes of 12 and 17 yards on consecutive plays to move the Saints down the field.

    Mac Jones will have to play from behind by a touchdown for the first time since Week 1.

  • Q1, 12:33: Teams trade punts to start

    Both teams went three-and-out to start the game. This could be shaping up as a defensive struggle, at least early on. Ball security should be a major factor today, especially for quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Mac Jones when they are under pressure.

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