Sunday saw the Patriots move to 5 – 4 to enter the bye on a win. But it ain’t all sunshine and rainbows folks. 

Let’s get the offense out of the way first, and then we can really relish in the defense shall we?

It’s unfortunate to say, but it doesn’t matter which way you spin it, the Patriots offense is not doing good. 

But, they have high paid tight ends and plenty of wide receivers, I hear you cry! And don’t we know it. But the tight ends aren’t getting chance to play to their price tag abilities, and the wide receivers aren’t getting much of the ball either. 

Whilst Rhamondre Stevenson continues to be a serious performer, his late first quarter one handed catch was a gorgeous thing, he is maybe the only glimmer of beast mode on an offense that has a weak offensive line, and a quarterback that doesn’t seem to be aware that usually year two is where you make a performance jump. 

I have to be honest with you lovely lot, I’m not sure who is to blame, but am suspicious it’s a little bit of everything, including coaching. The offensive line is weakened, but they are also suffering some a serious rotation, as Bill said, they are “playing a lot of people” and I don’t know about you, but that just doesn’t feel great for consistency. 

The one spark may be with the return of David Andrews we see some return to solidarity on that line, but until we do, Mac Jones may continue to look increasingly uncomfortable in the pocket. I mean, can you blame him?! Would you be a little on edge if your centre drops back into you three steps, and your left guard is a rookie who keeps getting benched? 

We did see the tight ends attempt to make some plays when they were given the opportunity, Jonnu Smith can RUN and we all know what Hunter Henry can do from last season, but having to utilise them much more for blocking takes them away from the passing game, and being able to put up those numbers we are all crying out for. 

HOWEVER!

Yeah, you must have seen it coming folks, you know I’m not one for being too negative, and the Patriots did pull out a win, it’s just right now we are having to swallow a cold pill of realism when it comes to what the Patriots are doing on offense. 

When I run though my game notes from Sunday there wasn’t pages and pages, but there was a lot about the defense, and I’m sure every soul that covered the game could say the same thing. 

Matthew Judon’s name appears literally every week, if there was ever value for money, holy heck then he is it! Judon continues to be the thing of quarterback nightmares, as Mr Red Sleeves hunts them with the intensity of blood hound and TAKES THEM DOWN!

(Apologies, but the excitement has to be let out somewhere!)

The Colts offensive line is the highest paid in the NFL at the moment, and the Patriots defense pretty much made them look like a bargain basement sell off! 

Marcus Jones had a great punt return to start the second quarter, Jonathan Jones ran about 30 yards to block a Colts punt, Jalen Mills had good coverage of Michael Pittman, and caused a key incompletion that was followed by a quarterback sack from Josh Uche. 

Mack Wilson levelled out a returner, Jahlani Tavi had a take down, Lawrence Guy caved the Colts offensive line and Jabrill Peppers finished off a runner. Jack Jones had great coverage, and not to repeat his kudos, but if Matthew Judon didn’t have the sack, he helped in some way shut the front door! Poor Sam Ehlinger was boxed in most of the night, with Deatrich Wise continuing to own up and show up too.  

Finally, the latter part of the fourth quarter had another interception by Jonathan Jones and an almost interception by Devin McCourty!

So the defense do-w-minated as we like to say (for those of you who aren’t Patriots Unfiltered listeners, it’s just the way Paul Perillo says dominated when it needs extra emphasis). Whilst there is a lot of concern on the offense, Mac did still get the ball out to Stevenson on a short left that resulted in a touchdown, had a great ball placement to Jakobi Meyers towards the end of the second quarter, and whilst the punter part of special teams may have been having a bit of a bad night, the expert kicking leg of one Nick Folk, put a lot of valuable points on the board for the Patriots in their home win. 

So there you have it you lovely lot, week 9 is in the bag! Next week is a bye so there maybe a bit less from me without the need for a game recap, but as they say, tune in next time and Go Pats!