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Archives for October 31, 2022

Patriots Ups & Downs: Week 8 vs NY Jets

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Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images

The Patriots extended their winning streak over the Jets to 13 games yesterday, with it being almost seven years since they last lost to their divisional rivals in December 2015!

The team struggled on offense, but, by hook or by crook, they travelled back to New England with a win to take them to 4-4 on the season.

Ups ⬆️

Rhamondre Stevenson

Stevenson has really been the life of this struggling Patriots offense by literally picking up the team and carrying it on his back. Rhamondre didn’t find the endzone, but he had 143 scrimmage yards, pretty much splitting half on the ground, half in the air. He’s been the team’s best offensive weapon so far, a big up!

Jakobi Meyers

In a close second behind Stevenson as the team’s best weapon, Meyers continued to be the only successful receiving outlet for Mac Jones as he pulled in 9/12 catches – 60 YDS – 1 TD. Meyers is the Pats’ leading receiver with 415 YDS through 8 weeks which is certainly putting up a strong argument for a new deal with the team.

Nick Folk

As he’s done in many games, Nick Folk was both vital and perfect for the Patriots yesterday, converting 1/1 XP & 5/5 FG – It’s easy to under-estimate the value of a good kicker, Folk is 17/17 on extra points for the year, and 15/17 on field goals.

Devin McCourty

What a day for Dmac! He snagged two picks from Zach Wilson to make him the current NFL-active career interception leader with 32. To be honest, both picks were more Wilson being utterly horrible rather than Dmac doing anything special, but, the future Patriots Hall of Famer was there to earn two big turnovers.

Downs ⬇️

The Offensive Line

The line really struggled yesterday, Marcus Cannon had a torrid time at right tackle, Cole Strange was benched, and the gap left by David Andrews at center was evident. If the team wants to give Mac Jones every chance of succeeding as the franchise QB, they have to show more in the blocking game.

Mac Jones

Mac wasn’t horrendous, and maybe he’s settling back in to his first full game since Week 3, but, he has to be better. He looked indecisive at times yesterday and was bailed out on a few occasions by some interesting penalties. Jones was also left out to dry by his line which didn’t make things any easier for him.

Mac has had a whirlwind last few weeks, but Bill came to his defense post game with some supportive comments, I just hope #10 can kick on and find some of the form he had in his rookie year.

Big game against the Colts on Sunday! LFG!

The Patriots stop over in New Jersey and beat the Jets, again!

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AP Photo/John Minchillo

So, a much needed win was had on Sunday as the Patriots attempted to play some better football against the 5 – 2 (now 5 – 3) New York Jets.

Mac Jones started, which in itself as a fan felt like a bit of an accomplishment, but it wasn’t the best performance, it wasn’t the easiest game to watch, especially if you were a Jets fan! But, saying that it, wasn’t the smoothest of games for a Patriots fan either.

The game started promisingly with the Patriots forcing the Jets to a bad punt, but then the Jets defense shut anything the Pats had going, down. 

Unfortunately, the absence of centre David Andrews was as glaring as a lit jack-o-lantern at Halloween, with Cole Strange having a particularly tricky game, and finally getting benched.

Whilst Mac Jones suffered under some pocket pressure, Zach Wilson suffered some more! He seemed to fold under the pressure significantly, and threw the ball to Devin McCourty and Ja’Whaun Bentley. 

Speaking of pressure, Matthew Judon maybe the number one thing of quarterback nightmares as the lurking Mr Red Sleeves, but Deatrich Wise has to be the number two!

More pressure… Jack Jones put some out there on the Jets mid third quarter field goal attempt, which resulted in it being unsuccessful.

The end of the second quarter showed us that Rhamondre Stevenson may not only be a “Steamerson”, but has fabulous hands with his one handed catch, bringing the ball into his body. And whilst this was going on Jakobi Meyers secured his spot in our hearts, and maybe the roster more so, with some great blocking!

Speaking of guys doing a great job, Adrian Phillips really threw himself into the game to help fill the void left by an injured Kyle Dugger, as well as Mr Veteren himself Devin McCourty and his two interceptions. 

Oh, and did I mentioned Rhamondre Stevenson? I did? Yeah, but did I talk about his early third quarter charge where he broke three tackles, and pretty much ran through a safety?! 

To me the word for the game was pressure. The Patriots suffered under some, they gave a lot, and Zach Wilson possibly collapsed under it. The Patriots may have made Sam Darnold see ghosts, they also managed to fluster Zach Wilson and the Jets into beating themselves. 

The offensive line has issues, the defense has injury absences and Mac Jones looks a little uncomfortable out there still, BUT the Patriots are at 4 – 4 with still plenty of opportunity to rise!

If you celebrate, Happy Halloween you lovely lot! But until next time, Go Pats!