The Patriots waltzed again into the win column Sunday, incomes a dominant 19-3 victory over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Subject.
New England was aided within the victory, as the house crew’s offense was caught within the mud and routinely earned boos from its followers. It’s not the sort of season the place we will nitpick victories, nevertheless, so we’ll concentrate on the shocking quantity of constructive takeaways from a win in The Windy Metropolis:
IT COULD ALWAYS BE WORSE
Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt hasn’t earned many followers in his first season calling performs. Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, nevertheless, has earned enemies.
Chicago’s offense put forth one of the vital putrid performances we’ve seen from an opposing unit this season, ending with simply 142 complete yards and 1-for-14 on third downs. Waldron, who’s in his first season as play-caller for this unit, was completely out-schemed on the “cash downs” and did nothing to cowl up for their litany of accidents on the offensive line.
Van Pelt hasn’t been good. Waldron has been worse.
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OFFENSIVELY, IT WAS ENOUGH
Van Pelt hasn’t been nice, however he did have a good afternoon, all issues thought of.
The Patriots put a transparent emphasis on establishing the run, they usually did that with Rhamondre Stevenson, JaMycal Hasty, Antonio Gibson and Drake Maye combining for 145 yards on the bottom. Ja’Lynn Polk’s landing got here on a nifty design, the place he slipped out from a blocking task that left everybody in Chicago confused. Kayshon Boutte was showcased. Hunter Henry was used as a pawn, which opened up alternatives for Austin Hooper.
AVP will get a gold star, if solely this as soon as.
EXECUTING? IN THIS ECONOMY?
New England appeared damn-near competent all through the sport, however one second that confirmed professional development got here on the conclusion of the primary half.
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The Patriots received the ball again with simply 0:35 remaining earlier than halftime, and determined to push it down the sphere to increase their result in double-digits. Maye and Kayshon Boutte, who’ve developed fairly the rapport in current weeks, related on a deep crosser wherein Boutte received down, circled to discover a referee and received the ball noticed so they might kill the clock. Joey Slye then hit his ensuing area objective try because the clock expired.
Jerod Mayo’s crew has been criticized for its execution points thus far within the season, however that was a pleasant second.
BRENDEN SCHOOLER? WHO KNEW?
Schooler’s worth has fairly actually all the time been tied to particular groups, however which may change transferring ahead…
The Patriots deployed their specialist in a brand new function Sunday, calling for him to function the “spy” on Williams in apparent passing conditions. Schooler is sweet at just about all the things requested of him, so it ought to come as no shock that he recorded a drive-killing sack within the third quarter. New England can be smart to proceed discovering methods to permit the 27-year-old to contribute.
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Keion White, Jahlani Tavai, Anfernee Jennings, Dell Pettus, Jeremiah Pharms Jr. and Deatrich Clever Jr. additionally received house, however none had been cooler than Schooler’s.
PERSONNEL TINKERING
New England made a considerably puzzling personnel choice in the course of the recreation, electing to make Kendrick Bourne the one lively receiver who didn’t see the sphere. The Patriots reportedly had been “prioritizing taking part in time” for younger gamers like Polk and Javon Baker, however Ok.J. Osborn received some run, and that doesn’t make a lot sense on a floor stage.
Did they need to give Osborn one final shot to showcase himself earlier than a launch? Does Bourne nonetheless want time for that injured knee? It’s a bizarre one, for positive.
CAN IT CONTINUE?
The Patriots nonetheless shouldn’t be favored to win many video games transferring ahead, however this step in the suitable route must be capitalized on. The Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts are subsequent up on the schedule, and that stretch may go a good distance in defining the season.
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