The New England Patriots are 1-2 on the 2024 season after a rough defeat at the hands of the New York Jets on “Thursday Night Football.” Here’s who we graded UP or DOWN based on their performance in the game…
DOWN: Offensive Line
We’re starting off with a DOWN because it was that kind of night for the Patriots. And it’s impossible to pick just one, two, three, or even four offensive linemen, so we’re dinging them across the board. The pass protection and penalties were unacceptably bad, and somehow even reached new depths despite already-low expectations.
Most rational onlookers agree that putting prized rookie quarterback Drake Maye behind this offensive line would be a mistake. The Pats ended up putting Maye in the game late in the fourth quarter with the game out of hand, and Maye indeed took a couple of sacks. It felt wholly unnecessary, because this O-line is making it impossible for any quarterback to get the offense going.
UP: WR DeMario Douglas
The Patriots finally found more ways to get Douglas involved in the offense. Seven catches on 69 targets, plus a pitch play for nine yards, which is a monster game by the standards of the passing offense that the Patriots have put forth so far in 2024.
It was nice to see the Pats’ most dynamic wide receiver take a step forward, but obviously, getting him going is not nearly enough to spark this offense as a unit.
DOWN: QB Jacoby Brissett
Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images(Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images)
As much as the offensive line is the primary target to blame for the Patriots’ scoring woes, there were moments that showed Brissett’s limitations as well. The most glaring example was during a first-quarter drive in which Brissett miraculously had a pocket and time to throw, but flat-out missed Austin Hooper on a deep out. Brissett also took five sacks on the night, as he has tended to hold onto the ball a little too long this season, especially considering how little time he has to throw.
Of course, it’s far from all his fault, and he at least avoided an interception for the third straight game. But Brissett also left some opportunities on the table. And now that we got our first taste of Maye, the calls for the rookie to start will intensify.
UP: LB Anfernee Jennings
Sarah Stier/Getty Images(Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
On an otherwise labor of a game for the Patriots defense, Jennings was a rare bright spot. He logged six tackles, including two for a loss of yardage, and drew an early holding penalty that did the unthinkable, which was help get Aaron Rodgers off the field. No complaints for him, which is enough for a “thumbs up” the way the game went.
DOWN: RB Rhamondre Stevenson
Al Bello/Getty Images(Al Bello/Getty Images)
Only 3.8 yards per carry for Stevenson, and he finally lost a fumble after getting away with it in the first two games. He might have avoided this list altogether had he not put the ball on the ground, with the Pats on a gotta-have-it drive early in the fourth quarter.
UP: P Bryce Baringer
Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports(Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Second straight week with an “UP” for Baringer. He punted for a 49-yard average, with a long of 57, three pinned inside the 20, and no touchbacks. At least we know the Patriots can make the opposing offense drive the field.
DOWN: CB Alex Austin
Sarah Stier/Getty Images(Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Austin got an opportunity to play a significant role at cornerback with Marco Wilson inactive, but ended up whiffing badly on a tackle attempt to give up the Jets’ first touchdown to Allen Lazard. So, the Pats might have an issue at that spot in the lineup, too. Good, smart quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers will expose weak spots like that.
Frankly, just about everyone else on the Patriots roster that didn’t get mentioned here gets a DOWN on the night. They weren’t nearly good enough in any phase of the game, and they know it. The coming weeks will be a good test to see what both the players and the coaches are made of.
Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital content producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read all of his articles here.
