The New England Patriots have been extra competent on the offensive aspect of the ball, however that doesn’t imply their 41-21 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday was solely aggressive.
Patriots followers most likely walked away from the competition extra optimistic concerning the offense than the protection. With that stated, we graded every place group after New England’s Week 6 loss to Houston.
OFFENSE
Quarterback: B
Drake Maye was an enchancment behind middle and exceeded expectations in his first profession begin. New England recorded a season-high in passing yards and Maye threw extra touchdowns (three) than Jacoby Brissett did in 5 video games mixed (two). The Texans hadn’t allowed greater than 209 passing yards in a sport this season. It wasn’t good, in fact. Maye additionally had three turnovers, together with an airmailed overthrow and a spectacular catch from Houston’s Eric Murray on a tipped ball. Nevertheless it was a efficiency that created optimism within the locker room.
Large receivers: B-
DeMario Douglas completed with six catches for 92 yards and one landing. Kayshon Boutte contributed three catches for 59 yards and a landing of his personal. These scores marked the primary of their respective careers. Kendrick Bourne remained restricted and performed 52% of snaps behind Boutte (83%), Ja’Lynn Polk (65%) and Douglas (62%). Polk (one catch, 4 yards) underwhelmed with a number of expensive drops, which Jerod Mayo stated he would wish to wash up. “We’d like the remainder of these guys to step up and make performs,” Mayo stated in reference to Okay.J. Osborn and, Polk. However the performances of Douglas and Boutte have been an excellent step.
Operating backs: C-
Maye led the Patriots in dashing yards (5 carries, 38 yards), which most likely says all it is advisable know. New England was with out starter Rhamondre Stevenson and working backs Antonio Gibson, Terrell Jennings and JaMycal Hasty mixed for 21 carries and 44 dashing yards (2.1 per carry). Gibson and Hasty added 4 catches for 33 yards within the passing sport, however total it was a disappointing efficiency for a working sport that was anticipated to take a few of the burden off Maye.
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Tight ends: C-
Hunter Henry (three catches, 41 yards, landing) was answerable for three first downs whereas Austin Hooper (one catch, 5 yards) coughed up a expensive fumble halfway by means of the third quarter. On condition that New England’s offense depends closely on two tight finish units in impactful moments, and did on a lot of third downs Sunday, it was not sufficient from these figured to be a safety blanket for Maye.
Offensive line: C-
Move safety was higher in entrance of Maye, permitting a season-low strain charge (13 strain on 45 pass-blocking snaps), per Professional Soccer Focus. Demontrey Jacobs (4 pressures, two sacks), Zach Thomas (three pressures, sack) and Mike Onwenu (three pressures) all have been prone in opposition to the push, nevertheless it was an enchancment with Maye behind middle. The bottom sport, nonetheless, was non-existent with Onwenu, amongst others, struggling in run blocking.
DEFENSE
Defensive position: D
Patriots veteran Davon Godchaux known as out the protection for taking part in with an absence of pleasure. It felt like Godchaux’s feedback have been aimed on the defensive position, which struggled within the cross rush and allowed Houston to run for 192 yards (6.9 per try). Godchaux was graded the group’s finest run defender whereas Daniel Ekuale, Keion White, Deatrich Sensible and Jaquelin Roy all struggled of their respective snaps in opposition to the run. Regarding the cross rush, White, Ekuale, Sensible and Godchaux noticed essentially the most pass-rush snaps however all graded exterior New England’s high 5 rushers, per PFF.
Linebackers: C-
Patriots linebacker Raekwon McMillan, who PFF graded because the second-worst run defender, struggled in opposition to Houston’s floor sport. McMillan overran his hole on an extended landing run by Texans working again Dameon Pierce. It appeared as if fellow linebacker Jahlani Tavai was answerable for a landing reception by working again Joe Mixon within the first half, too.
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Cornerbacks: C
Houston’s pass-catchers made New England defensive backs look pedestrian for the primary time this season. Stefon Diggs hauled in 4 catches on 5 targets (three first downs) in opposition to high cornerback Christian Gonzalez, per PFF. Diggs completed with 39 yards and one landing in these head-to-head matchups. Jonathan Jones allowed three catches on three targets and one landing in opposition to Tank Dell whereas Marcus Jones allowed two catches on three targets in opposition to Dell. Marcus Jones, nonetheless, did file an interception on C.J. Stroud.
Safeties: C+
Marte Mapu was New England’s highest-graded participant in protection (zero catches, two targets) and third-graded participant in opposition to the run. Jaylinn Hawkins didn’t permit a reception on the lone goal he confronted both. Kyle Dugger performed 100% of defensive snaps after not taking part in in Week 5.
Particular groups: C
Brenden Schooler continues to be a madman on particular groups, however the unit was assessed a penalty on the very first play of the sport. New England additionally had a Marcus Jones return known as again as a consequence of an offensive holding penalty on rookie Marcellas Dial Jr., which price the Patriots priceless discipline place.
“We simply didn’t present up in that section of the sport,” Mayo stated in reference to New England’s kick return unit.
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The 1-5 Patriots will face the Jacksonville Jaguars in London on Sunday.
