Is the Patriots' passing sport damaged? Why they should repair it forward of Jets sport

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — One of many themes popping out of the New England Patriots‘ locker room following their 23-20 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks was that they should transfer on rapidly with a Thursday sport at New York Jets subsequent on the schedule.

In doing so, coaches and gamers acknowledged one space the place they want a major improve: contributions from receivers. It is robust to win when broad receivers whole three catches for 19 yards like they did Sunday in opposition to the Seahawks.

“We positively have to start out getting the ball down the sphere,” coach Jerod Mayo stated.

The Patriots have proved they’ll run the ball and are a troublesome, bodily staff. They totaled 185 yards dashing on 36 carries (5.1 common) in opposition to the Seahawks. In Week 1, they grounded and pounded their strategy to 170 yards on 39 carries (4.4) in a win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

They’ve additionally proven that their tight ends will be efficient, as veteran Hunter Henry totaled a career-high 109 yards within the loss to the Seahawks, whereas tying his profession excessive of eight catches.

However with out with the ability to soften up defenses by having extra constant success within the perimeter and downfield passing sport, the one-dimensional offense has proven its limitations, resembling in end-of-half and end-of-game conditions when dealing with a protracted area with restricted time on the clock.

“We now have to have the ability to pingpong between the 2,” stated Mayo, acknowledging the Seahawks took away deeper passing performs with an efficient use of a split-safety protection. “That is one thing we have to work on. We must be a extra balanced offense and that would be the purpose this week.”

That will not be straightforward in opposition to a Jets protection that has allowed a median of 195.5 passing yards via two weeks — a Week 1 loss in San Francisco and a 24-17 win in opposition to the Titans on Sunday.

Veteran Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett is 30-of-51 for 270 yards, with one landing and no interceptions over the primary two video games.

“Clearly we wish extra in our passing sport,” Brissett stated. “I’ve to do a greater job of getting a variety of these guys concerned within the sport plan and all through the sport. I take accountability for that.”

A lingering query, nevertheless, is whether or not the Patriots’ personnel at receiver is potent sufficient to ship these desired outcomes. A part of the rationale the entrance workplace pursued free agent receiver Calvin Ridley so aggressively within the offseason, after which Brandon Aiyuk in a commerce, is that New England lacks a dynamic menace who instructions further consideration from defenses.

Within the season opener, the Patriots used speedy 2022 second-round decide Tyquan Thornton (2 catches, 27 yards) and fifth-year veteran K.J. Osborn (3 catches, 21 yards) as their high receivers, with DeMario Douglas (2 catches, 12 yards) within the slot. Second-round decide Ja’Lynn Polk (1 catch, 6 yards) was the No. 4 choice.

In Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks, Polk was elevated up the depth chart and completed with two catches for 12 yards (together with a landing). Osborn was the opposite starter and did not make his lone catch, for 7 yards, till the second play of extra time. The remainder of the receiving corps — Thornton, Douglas and 2024 fourth-round decide Javon Baker — did not register on the stat sheet.

Mayo put the accountability on himself and the teaching employees, saying one risk is to scheme up extra performs for Douglas, the shifty slot choice.

“We now have to get him going. He is certainly one of our most explosive gamers. That is on us as coaches to place it collectively,” he stated.

Beginning heart David Andrews additionally acknowledged the staff’s shortcomings via the air, however famous that it takes everybody to enhance the outcomes. That features the offensive line, as Brissett was sacked 3 times Sunday and hit eight instances, which Andrews stated was too many.

“We have got to get extra manufacturing from our passing sport, which is one thing I’ve at all times stated is a staff effort from all people. It isn’t only one individual, or one place group,” Andrews stated. “It takes a staff — all 11 guys on offense — and that is what we are going to strive to do that week.”