The New England Patriots have gotten blown out in back-to-back games. Looking for a spark, what is the team going to turn to?
There have been two phrases heard often at Gillette Stadium this week since the team’s 34-0 defeat at the hands of the New Orleans Saints last week – ‘starting over’ and ‘having fun.’
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‘Starting over’ started last Sunday, when Bill Belichick used that phrase multiple times during his postgame press conference. As the week has gone on, it’s become clear that ‘starting over’ is about getting back to the basics.
“Fundamentals, things that will help us play better,” Belichick said on Wednesday, when asked what the process of ‘starting over’ focused on this week.
Quarterback Mac Jones struck a similar tone. “The fundamentals are really important to me,” he replied when asked what ‘starting over’ means to him. “The footwork, I know we’ve talked a lot about. Footwork, where are my eyes? All that stuff.”
As for having fun? That seems to be a message preached by the coaching staff this week, based on the way players brought it up unprompted.
“Having fun – that’s what I think of, when I’m at my best I’m having fun, enjoying everybody,” Jones included in his answer about focuses of ‘starting over.’ “We’re out there playing a game that we love. Right now, it’s not looking too good, but we’ve got to flip the switch, right? And start over and figure out ways to go out there and have fun, sling the ball around and guys go make plays and then celebrate with each other, too. We work so hard. It’s been such a theme that we haven’t really scored a lot of points but when we do, we’ve got to go out there and celebrate and enjoy it.”
Center and team captain David Andrews echoed that sentiment. “I think if you want to get the best out of it you’ve got to be demanding – celebrate little victories, I think that’s an important thing too,” Andrews said on Wednesday. “When we do something right, like a good block – these dudes are getting paid and they’re really good players. You can be excited about it.”
“There’s an old adage, ‘it’s never as good as it seems, it’s never as bad as it seems,'” Andrews continued. “So when you go in and watch the film – there was a lot of bad, and there’s not a lot of good enough when you’re not scoring any points, but you’ve got to take the good and try to build on it.”
The same is true on the defensive side of the ball. Asked about ‘having fun’ on Thursday, defensive lineman Lawrence Guy relayed it’s not a new message, but one that has come into focus this week.
“Now it’s being said because everyone is looking at it like, ‘you guys must be upset’ or like, doubting yourselves.’ No, we’re still going out there to have fun,” he explained. “I’m out here to have fun. We’re blessed to play this game. We used to call it a kids game with a little bit more violence – big kids game at this level. But we’re blessed to be able to go out here and play this game. So take that opportunity that – there’s so many people out there who want that opportunity.”
It’s clear what the Patriots’ mentality is as they try to bounce back this week against the Las Vegas Raiders. But how about strategically? Let’s get into it with this week’s What To Watch For…
Maxx protection
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 09: Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders reacts during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Allegiant Stadium on October 09, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
The Patriots have had their issues on offense all around this year, but no spot has been more of a problem than right tackle. Vederian Lowe has taken over for Calvin Anderson. Lowe has the third-lowest pass block win rate among qualified tackles in the NFL, while Anderson has the second lowest. Change doesn’t seem to be imminent either, with Riley Reiff still limited coming off of IR and playing guard when he does get on the field.
This week, that right tackle spot will be tasked with slowing down Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby. Unlike most of the league’s top pass rushers, that line up on the blindside of the quarterback (opposite the left tackle), Crosby rushes from the right side of the offensive formation.
From that spot, Crosby, who checks in at 6-foot-5, 255 pounds, has been as effective as any rusher in the league this year. He has five sacks in five games, and his 27 hurries lead the league. Crosby can also be a problem for teams trying to run the ball – PFF has him as the seventh-highest graded run defender among all front-seven players in the NFL.
How will the Patriots’ handle their opponents biggest strength going up against their biggest weakness. Help, help, and more help. Look for the Patriots to slide protection to the right side. With that though comes more urgency for Trent Brown and whoever starts at left guard (Cole Strange if he’s healthy, or rookie Atonio Mafi) to hold up one-on-one.
Another mechanic the Patriots can use is keeping an extra blocker and or blockers in on pass plays. In that sense this could be a big game for both running back Ezekiel Elliott and tight end Pharaoh Brown, who are the two best pass blocking skill position players the Patriots have. At 6-foot-6, 258 pounds, Brown could also help the team get a push in the run game, either at tight end or fullback as we’ve seen him do at times this season.
The biggest thing the Patriots can do to try and minimize Crosby’s impact though is avoid falling in an early deficit. As long as the possibilities of the run and pass are both available, Crosby will have to be disciplined in his rush. If the Patriots are in a spot where they have to be throwing on every down, Crosby can pin his ears back and wreak havoc.
Who steps up at wide receiver?
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (11) during the first half against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Both JuJu Smith-Schuster and Demario Douglas have missed Wednesday and Thursday’s practices with concussions. Less than a week removed from suffering those concussions Sunday against the Saints, that suggests they likely won’t play this week against the Raiders.
Losing both would take away the third- and fourth-most involved receivers in the Patriots’ offense, with Smith-Schuster having played 57.6 percent of the team’s offensive snaps and Douglas having played 24.2 percent. Where will those snaps go if both are out?
One clear option is for the Patriots to play more 12 or even 13 personnel, keeping extra tight ends on the field. As mentioned above, beyond running routes this could help bolster the offensive line,.
Another option is an increased role for rookie Kayshon Boutte. Boutte played 55 snaps in the Patriots’ season opener against the Eagles but didn’t record a catch on four targets, he’s been a healthy scratch since.
Then there’s Tyquan Thornton, who was designated to return from IR this week. Thornton, who missed the second half of training camp and started the season on IR due to a shoulder injury, could provide the speed the offense losses missing Douglas, and can line up in the slot where Smith-Schuster has most of the season. Look for him to handle the most of the vacated snaps this week.
The Patriots drafted Thornton 50th overall last year and are still looking for production to match that draft pick. He should have plenty of chances to show if he’s made a Year 2 jump this Sunday.
Jonathan Jones vs. Jakobi Meyers
DENVER, COLORADO – SEPTEMBER 10: Damarri Mathis #27 of the Denver Broncos tackles Jakobi Meyers #16 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the second quarter at Empower Field At Mile High on September 10, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
This matchup should be a fun one. Two of the best UDFAs of the Bill Belichick era, cornerback Jonathan Jones will likely be covering wide receiver Jakobi Meyers for most of Sunday’s game.
Not only do both players know each other well from going head-to-head in practice for four years, but their skill sets match up as well. Meyers has been one of the Raiders most productive receivers this year and Jones is the Patriots top healthy cornerback, so this will be a key one-on-one.
There’s also the element of this being a ‘revenge game’ for Meyers. It would make sense for him to be extra motivated for this one. Look for Josh McDaniels to give him a chance to make plays early in the game (don’t rule out Meyers throwing a pass at some point).
