The New England Patriots have proven flashes of fine soccer since rookie Drake Maye took over because the beginning quarterback in Week 6.
The Patriots have clearly discovered their subsequent franchise signal-caller with Maye below middle, however there are many areas New England must give attention to and present enchancment in after the bye week.
Listed below are three key areas through which the Patriots should present enchancment:
Defensive Efficiency
The Patriots protection confirmed indicators of potential once they sacked Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams 9 occasions in New England’s 19-3 Week 10 victory.
Sadly for the Patriots, the success was short-lived and the defensive unit was unable to maintain their play in three straight losses in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts.
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The once-dominant protection fell to the center of the pack and sometimes seems to be like a bottom-tier protection in comparison with the glory years with Invoice Belichick on the helm — regardless of retaining lots of the gamers and coaches who factored into the success.
Whether or not it begins with defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington’s play calling from the sidelines or the execution on the sphere, the Patriots have to discover a solution to thwart opposing groups’ offense. New England ranks nineteenth in rush protection, and sixteenth in passing. The Patriots protection has allowed 35 complete touchdowns and sits in the course of the pack (twentieth) in complete protection.
Offensive Creativity and Belief
With a scarcity of offensive expertise, precisely how a lot blame ought to be laid on the shoulders of Alex Van Pelt?
The Patriots delivered considered one of their higher offensive performances of the season in opposition to the Colts final Sunday, but it surely wasn’t sufficient to safe a victory.
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The shortcoming to complete drives and capitalize on alternatives would possibly come from the dearth of play calling designed to raise Maye, however the quantity of turnovers, together with eight interceptions, might stop Van Pelt and Jerod Mayo from utterly trusting their younger quarterback.
Higher Teaching Choices
Whether or not or not you want Mayo as the top coach of the Patriots, you need to query a number of the selections and his responses to mentioned selections in his first 12 months.
Going again to the Colts recreation, Mayo opted to ship Joey Slye out to strive a 68-yard discipline objective as a substitute of giving the ball to Maye for a Hail Mary try. Slye missed and nobody will ever know what Maye might’ve accomplished given the prospect.
The primary-year coach additionally opted to name a timeout and reset his protection on a two-point conversion try in the identical recreation. Once more, nobody will know if a timeout would’ve helped, however the resolution might actually be second-guessed.
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Mayo has usually advised reporters the Patriots’ struggles begin with him, however sooner or later, he has to truly look within the mirror and easily make higher selections.
