The New England Patriots are 1-1 to start the 2022 season, after going into Pittsburgh and escaping with a 17-14 win over the Steelers. Here’s who we graded “UP” or “DOWN” based on their performance in the game…
UP: WR Jakobi Meyers
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 18: Jakobi Meyers #16 of the New England Patriots catches a pass while defended by Levi Wallace #29 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at Acrisure Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Nine catches, which once again led the team, and 95 yards for Meyers. That includes three catches to convert on third down, and a fourth that picked up 24 yards on third-and-26. Meyers is the clear go-to guy in those spots, and looks like the most consistently dependable pass-catcher on the team through two games.
Amid slow starts for DeVante Parker (more on him below) and Hunter Henry, Meyers has carried over a strong summer into a strong start to the regular season as the Pats’ No. 1 target.
DOWN: QB Mac Jones
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 18: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots looks to throw a pass during the first half in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Jones actually had time to throw today, but still looked shaky throwing the ball. His accuracy and decision-making, which are supposed to be his strengths, were spotty. His interception was ill-advised, and Cameron Sutton dropped an easy pick that would’ve been Jones’ worst play of the day. Nelson Agholor (more on him below) rescued Jones from another potential INT when he snatched the ball away from cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon for a touchdown. He also committed penalties for intentional grounding and delay of game.
It’s fair to argue that the Patriots won this game in spite of their quarterback. The silver lining is, if Jones plays better, the guys around him seem ready to make things happen. But Jones is off to a slow start overall in his second year, and looks to have regressed in his typical areas of strength.
UP: WR Nelson Agholor
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 18: Nelson Agholor #15 of the New England Patriots catches a pass for a touchdown while defended by Ahkello Witherspoon #25 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at Acrisure Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Agholor deserved a spot in the “UP” section even if all he did was the one touchdown catch. It was arguably the single best play of Agholor’s career, as he leaped and straight-up stole the ball away from a potential interception by Ahkello Witherspoon. But Agholor totaled six catches for 110 yards and the score – WR1 production. He won’t put up those numbers every week, but it was great to see a Patriots receiver make an explosive play, any explosive play, down the field, because those plays have been relatively rare in recent years.
DOWN: WR DeVante Parker
Jul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver DeVante Parker (1) walks onto the field during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Parker followed up a one-catch game in the season opener with a zero-catch game in Week 2, somehow becoming even more invisible than he was in his Patriots debut. Parker appeared to run a little too far on what was a big third-down play at the time, as Mac Jones’ back-shoulder attempt fell incomplete. Parker was also targeted on Jones’ interception, and looked like he could have made more of an effort to go up for the ball. Minkah Fitzpatrick did make that effort and came down with the ball fairly easily. Parker has played some uninspired football in his first two games as a Patriot. We’re left wondering how the team would look if he were producing.
UP: LB Mack Wilson
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 18: Mack Wilson Sr. #30 of the New England Patriots breaks up a pass intended for Diontae Johnson #18 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Jalen Mills may have gotten credit for the interception on Sunday, but Mack Wilson made it possible because he undercut the route, got his hands on the ball, and popped it over the receiver. Wilson has the best chance of any Patriots linebacker to make an impact in pass coverage, and that certainly showed up on Sunday. His presence this week was a good button-push by Bill Belichick, Steve Belichick, and Jerod Mayo.
DOWN: OT Isaiah Wynn
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 26: Quarterback Mac Jones #10 and offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn #76 of the New England Patriots stand on the field during a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on August 26, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Patriots 23-6. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
On an otherwise strong bounce-back effort by the offensive line, Wynn didn’t have his best day. The right tackle’s false start penalty turned a third-and-8 into third-and-13, at the time a potentially costly mistake that stalled out a drive in a close game. Both Patriots tackles are off to a bit of a shaky start after having uneven camps.
UP: OG Cole Strange
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 18: Cole Strange #69 of the New England Patriots signs autographs after a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
The Steelers barely got anything going in terms of pressure, and Strange deserves a lot of credit for holding them down. After his concerning usage in his NFL debut in Week 1, Strange had a very nice bounce-back in Pittsburgh. This clip shows a handful of sound blocks by Strange, including one that blocked two guys in succession to beat a stunt. Suddenly, the needle is pointing up for the 2022 first-round pick.
DOWN: CB Myles Bryant
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 18: Gunner Olszewski #89 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball while defended by Ja’Whaun Bentley #8 and Myles Bryant #27 of the New England Patriots during the first half at Acrisure Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
It’s not always a good sign if a defensive back leads the team in tackles. Part of it had to be the Patriots’ defensive gameplan, which appeared to emphasize tackling and minimizing yards after the catch. But Bryant also appeared to get picked on against the Steelers’ bigger receivers. Bryant also mishandled his first attempted punt return, but narrowly avoided disaster as he avoided possessing the ball and it bounced into the end zone for a touchback.
UP: DB Brenden Schooler
Sep 18, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New England Patriots safety Brenden Schooler (41) warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-USA TODAY Sports
Speaking of muffed punts, the Steelers were the ones who couldn’t avert disaster. The ball conked right off the facemask of Steelers punt returner and ex-Patriot Gunner Olszewski, and Schooler was right there to fall on the ball no problem. You like to think Schooler gave Gunner the death stare and pressured him into the muff. But we’ll give him credit either way for finishing off the turnover.
DOWN: P Jake Bailey
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 06: Jake Bailey #7 of the New England Patriots reacts after a bad punt during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on December 06, 2021 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
Two touchbacks for Bailey today, one of which was on a punt from about midfield that had a chance to really pin the Steelers back, but ended up netting under 30 yards. The Steelers made the worst special teams play of the day in the game, but it was a shaky day for the Pats’ units as well.
UP: S Jabrill Peppers
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 18: Jalen Mills #2 of the New England Patriots celebrates an interception with Jabrill Peppers #3 and Myles Bryant #27 during the first half in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Peppers came into the game for an increased workload after Kyle Dugger had to leave with a knee injury. He promptly made two impressive open-field tackles on a single possession, keying a forced punt. Peppers has good speed for his size and hits hard. After being brought along slowly amid an injury recovery, Peppers has a chance to be a legit contributor in the secondary, especially if Dugger has to miss time.
