Although the Patriots put up 54 points, there were times where the defense had communication issues and it came back to bite them but they were playing the Jets. So how bad could making mistakes be when the opponent is just a giant smudge on the NFL.
The Jets quarterbacks picked on Jalen Mills. Mills was signed to be a versatile piece playing kind of a safety linebacker hybrid. Due to how things went with Gilmore, he has been playing outside corner and the Jets quarterbacks weren't scared of him. It wasn't all Mills's fault, the secondary overall made mistakes. Missed tackles, especially by Bryant and just not making the right play by the unit from occasional lack of awareness showed cracks in the secondary. Surprisingly JoeJaun Williams had a decent day according to a few writers.
The linebackers were about as effective as Mills in pass coverage. As Nick O'Malley noted that Carter and Johnson had a combined 14 catches for 132 yards. Some writers basically said this linebacking unit was built to contain the run and assist with the pass rush with no thoughts on their ability to assist in pass coverage.
Mike White, a quarterback I was hoping the Patriots would draft few years back, had over 200 yards against the Patriots defense and would've had over 400 against this defense had he had started. White was one of the few winners for the Jets as he got some game time and might get more depending in Wilson's injury. Personally, I think White is a better quarterback than Wilson. Not that it matters to the NFL because this is the Jets.
The Patriots gave up 6 penalties for 95 yards this game. One of the penalties negated a Jonnu Smith catch. And of course what would a game be without a pair of false starts from the offensive line. Mills, Dugger and King had penalties that could be costly in a closer game. Mills and Dugger with a PI, Dugger wiping a turnover and King with a unnecessary roughness.
Six penalties isn't double digits but it's enough to hurt the Patriots against a stronger opponent. Penalties are something the Patriots have shot themselves in the foot with going back to the preseason and even against the Jets, it's clear that's still an issue.
Nick Folk missed another extra point. Folk is perfect from the 20 to 49 range this season. However, Folk has yet to have had to kick a field goal from shorter distance and hasn't since 2019 but with his extra points, Folk has now missed three on the season and has tied his 2020 mark for missed extra points. If the Patriots need a must have field goal under 20 yards can Folk be counted on. That has to be a concern because extra points are still supposed to be gimmies.
Jonnu Smith left the game with a shoulder injury, McCourty would leave with an abdominal injury. Carl Davis, Harvy Langi and Shaq Mason would also eventually leave with an injury. The team has been hit with the injury bug this season, which just saw them put Johnathan Jones on the injured reserve for a few weeks. And the leader of the linebacking unit, Dont'a Hightower was kept from the game due to health issues.
Mac Jones continues to make a couple of throws a game that get ignored by fans, probably because of how bad the passers were in 2020. He had a throw to Jonnu that could've easily been a turnover. He's a rookie so it's to be expected but at the same time, like Edelman said, "He's got six games under his belt (now 7), he's no longer a rookie." Well as in terms of his experience compared to three months ago, Jones has to eliminate those plays.
Pat Lane wrote about Jones after the blowout saying, Mac Jones really wasn’t that sharp at the beginning of the game, almost throwing a few interceptions, and sometimes missing open receivers in his progressions."
Another question I've had which is being echoed by the media is, did the Patriots over pay for Agholor. Agholor is hovering around a 52% catch percentage on his 36 targets. Damiere Byrd was one of the Patriots leading pass catchers of 2020 catching 61%, can be used in the same way and would be receiving the same amount of targets from a better patriots passer.
And since we're talking about negatives, Jake Bailey only had one punt, the guy is an all pro, I kid. Gunner Olszewski only got one target on the day in garbage duty, I would've liked to of seen more of him in the second half since he was one of the Patriots best receivers in training camp and preseason with Mac Jones.
The offensive line played well but Wynn had an up and down day. Pat Lane noting about Wynn, "he did struggle in space on some of the toss and screen plays."
The Patriots played well and did what they should've against the Jets but don't start screaming playoffs yet. The team is still just 3 and 4 with the Chargers, Browns, and Titans being three of their next five games. If the Patriots had won a couple of games they should've this season, this next stretch would be easier but the Patriots will need to come out of that stretch with four wins to stay in the playoff hunt.
Also want to send a shout out to the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors who beat the Aggies of New Mexico State 48 to 34. GO BOWS !!! Twenty one second half points is why teams should never play conservative when in the lead until there's mathematically no chance of losing. This was a much needed win for the Rainbow Warriors as they are now 4 and 4 on the season with new head coach Todd Graham and his new systems.
Patriots fans would be wise to pay attention to Hawaii's RB/WR/return specialist and former quarterback Calvin Turner Jr. He's James White 2.0.
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