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Patriots Ups & Downs Week 17

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Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images

The Patriots kicked off 2022 with a dominating 50-10 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium. They also secured a playoff position with the win after Miami fell to Tenessee, but we won’t know the final seedings until after next week’s regular-season finale. Here are your Ups & Downs from Week 17.

Ups ⬆️

Damien Harris & Rhamondre Stevenson

Each back played a big part in yesterday’s win, both combining for 125 yards on the ground, with 2 touchdowns each. Harris led the work in the first half, quickly helping improve the score to 28 by the end of the second quarter, but, he did appear to tweak his hamstring, which has been an issue for the past couple of weeks. It may be minor, but the team decided to sit him for the second half to be safe, the job was already done.

Stevenson picked up the slack for the rest of the game and continued to show his rough-running skills and poured more misery on the helpless jags. A top day for the backs.

Mac Jones

Mac was back yesterday, looking comfortable and accurate on his way to finishing with 22/30 227 yards – 3 TDs, a welcome return for him following back-to-back down weeks for the rookie quarterback.

Sure the Jags didn’t pressure Mac a whole lot, or, offer much difficulty in pass coverage, but, I think Mac needed this game ahead of the now pending postseason and should fill himself with confidence ahead of Miami in the regular-season finale.

Jakobi Meyers

Meyers improved his season receiving total to a career high 796 yards yesterday, after hauling in 8 catches for 73 yards and a touchdown (his second career score). He’s been a key figure in Mac’s progression this season, another brilliant day for him.

J.C. Jackson

J.C. had a solid game yesterday, he was involved in good redzone coverage and managed to snag his 25th career pick (8th of the season). With the news this week coming that the team extended Adrian Phillips, a decision will be made soon on what to do about Jackson’s future with the franchise. I personally would extend him, sure he isn’t the best CB in the league, but he’s proved over his rookie contract that he’s a ballhawk and manages to find plenty turnovers.

Kristian Wilkerson

What a game for this man, finally getting a chance to perform on the main roster and he catches his first and second career touchdowns! Now, Wilkerson was pretty open on both plays due to poor coverage by the Jags, but, take nothing away from him, it was a special moment and potentially could earn himself a place on the 53-man roster.

Downs ⬇️

Special Teams

This will be the only entry on the down list this week, but, it’s needed. The Patriots for years have prided themselves on their special team capability, but this season something has been off on the entire unit.

The unit missed two extra points, which didn’t have an impact on the game, but regardless, this is the type of thing that can cost you in the postseason, especially in a different scenario where the game is close at the end. A note to this, Nick Folk was not at fault for either of the misses, all hail Big Kick Nick.

Patriots Ups & Downs Week 16

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Omar Rawlings/Getty Images

A bad loss yesterday is not what I asked for this Christmas. The Bills came into town and Josh Allen showed us all why he’s one of the best QBs in the league as they beat comfortably beat the Patriots 33-21. Here are your Ups & Downs from Week 16.

Ups ⬆️

Damien Harris

Really the only bright spot for the Pats was Harris, he roared back from injury with a hat-trick of rushing touchdowns, whilst amassing over a ton on the ground. Harris looked really really good, and I can’t help wondering that he probably wasn’t 100% fit either.

Daniel Ekuale

I wanted to give Ekuale a mention on the ups list as he had a good game yesterday, continuing a pattern for this season as a regular elevation player from the practice squad. He’s not been a game-changer, but every game he’s been active for he’s done something to stand out.

Downs ⬇️

Mac Jones

Mac look flustered and very rookie-like yesterday and it was probably his worst game as a Patriot so far. Jones was never able to find the consistency like Allen did and stuttered throughout the game, tossing a pick early on and being unable to extend drives contributed to his poor performance.

Myles Bryant

I’ve been rooting for Bryant all season, but he has struggled, and boy did he struggle yesterday. He was put through his paces by Isaiah McKenzie, who chalked up 11 catches for 125 yards and a touchdown. I do think Bryant has a role to play on defense, but it wasn’t a good look watching him get blitzed by a relatively unknown receiver.

Matthew Judon

I wouldn’t say Judon was bad, but he was ineffective yesterday, as I do feel some more pressure on Allen could have really helped the Patriots. Now, I’m probably being a little harsh on Judon as he’s been the best free-agent signing from the offseason, but he wasn’t at his best yesterday.

Jake Bailey

Bailey had a few weird punts again yesterday, which just continues a disappointing year for him, again, didn’t factor in the loss, but contributed towards the overall poor play by the team. Overall, special teams as a unit has been sub-par this season.

The Patriots unable to reign in the Colts on the road at Indy

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Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Well hi there Patriots fans, I hope I find you well on this Sunday!

The winning streak, and the on-road winning streak, are all over for the Patriots in a crushing loss to the Colts.

It was said, going forward, this would be a difficult match up. These two teams were playing relatively even lately, and if the Patriots perhaps didn’t have such a slow start, this game would have been more of what I expected.

The Colts defense dominated the game, although in all fairness the Patriots defense didn’t completely lay down and roll over, but, the Pats offensive line didn’t have the best night, particularly Isaiah Wynn.

Mac Jones did not play the way he has been, airs of his rookie-ness were evident, possibly as a result of the offensive line issues, or maybe just as well as. Although, Carson Wentz didn’t exactly have a stellar game either.

This game recap is a difficult one to write, and not just because I need plenty of coffee, the “first three quarter Patriots” did not come to play this game. It took until the fourth quarter, but by then it was too late. 

We are back to a list of penalties, 8 for 50 yards, and 2 turn overs, not great Bob.

Sure, Rhamondre Stevenson had a couple of powerful runs, Ted Karras with a great block, and N’Keal Harry had an epic high jumping catch, but it just wasn’t enough against the Colts who played ahead for so much of the game. Even if Jamie Collins and Devin McCourty did have themselves a beautiful interception. 

Hunter Henry, always my favourite player, but he may have been Saturday’s best Patriot. Some great blocking, good catches, refusal to go down and oh, two touchdowns! 

But seriously, this wasn’t a pretty game if you’re a Patriots fan, a punt block for a return touchdown by the Colts can do that to ya, and I don’t know about you, but I am ready for a nap and a cup of “we are on to the Bills”.

Go Pats!

PatsProp Preview – Saturday Night Fever

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AP Photo/Steven Senne

Welcome back! The bye week was eventful, but it wasn’t the same without the Pats playing. With a week until Christmas, the Patriots head on the road for a tricky test in Indianapolis, hoping to further solidify their place in the AFC standings.

Here’s your preview for week 15!

One’s To Watch

Rhamondre Stevenson

With no Damien Harris, Stevenson will lead the rushing attack tonight, similar to the game against Cleveland in week 10 when Harris missed out last. Stevenson has really come on as a complimentary piece of the offense in the second half of the season, he’ll be due a heavy workload this evening.

Brandon Bolden

Again, in the absence of Harris, Bolden will be worth keeping an eye on, he’s been very useful this year, filling in for James White in that swiss army knife role out of the backfield.

Mac Jones

I was a little concerned to see Mac show up on the injury report this week for a thumb injury to his non-throwing hand, but, he quickly reassured me with his comical thumb wiggling routine in a presser midweek. Jones has had a week to study ahead of this game and I’m hoping he’ll get back into the thick of it following all the talk after the Buffalo game when he only passed three times.

Christian Barmore

Stopping Taylor tonight will be crucial, and I think Barmore will have a massive part of the defensive gameplan, he’s been electric so far in his rookie season, definitely one to watch tonight.

Dangerous Colts

Who for the Colts could cause problems for the Patriots?

Robert Scheer/IndyStar/USA TODAY Network

Jonathan Taylor

Probably one of the biggest threats the Pats will face this season is Jonathan Taylor. He was floating around the MVP conversation somewhat in recent weeks, which may be just hyperbole, but, it’s a high compliment for a running back. Taylor leads the NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns and the Patriots will have to limit his play tonight, otherwise, he could run over them all game.

Michael Pittman Jr

The second-year WR has risen to be Carson Wentz’s top target for the Colts. At 6’3 he’s really lanky and can make athletic plays all over the field. TY Hilton commented this week that he’s never faced the Pats without being double covered, I think I can say that won’t be an issue in this game, Pittman will get most of the attention.

Prediction Corner

@ShawMellors – Patriots 24 – Colts 21

I see this being a close game with some up and down play, but in the end, I have the Pats coming out on top with a field goal win late on. Patriots 24 Colts 21

@clazzyclare – Patriots 27 – Colts 14

This match up should have me concerned, the Colts are a sneaky good team and have been doing very well. But I have a strange confidence that the Patriots have got this! Patriots 27 Colts 14.

Spoiler Alert: The Patriots win at Buffalo!

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The Patriots roll on the road with their seventh straight win!

(Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

So far this season the Patriots have had an on-the-road win streak for all six games. Mac Jones in a white jersey is plain and simple, hot.

Okay, so realistically, the win wasn’t all that. The game itself was a bit of a much for a nothingness. 14 – 10 isn’t a game full of sparkle, but as a Patriots fan, who has now finished watching the game, I’m mildly of caring, the Patriots win at Buffalo baby!

Whilst neither team blew, the wind seriously did at like 50 mph, and although the neither Patriots nor the Bills are un-used to poor weather, the ball went a little hinky here and there. And due to this, there was little to no air game for the Patriots, just 3 attempts. Josh Allen’s strength shined a little as he managed a few successful throws, 30 attempts, but this game should be known as The Run Game.

A few penalties for the Patriots again, 6 for 47 yards if you want the numbers. Looking at it IN the game though, Jonnu Smith erased a great run by Rhamondre Stevenson early in the third quarter. And that is how this game went really, there were no real bad players, just a few bad plays. Dont’a Hightower had an unnecessary horse collar tackle and a penalty called. But he redeemed himself with some great coverage afterwards. 

The Patriots did give Josh Allen a little bit too much time on the odd occasion and you can’t do that, the guy likes to get out to his right, and defenses just can’t let him unless they want to lose of course. 

Overall, it was a tricky game, but the Patriots did well! The Bills are a very good, strong team, as had been said over and over in all the discussions pre-match up. But the Patriots had plenty of pieces to look at in the positive light.

The brand new name of Daniel Ekuale chalked up the first sack of the game, boom, welcome to the Patriots!

Davon Godchaux played really well, 6 solo tackles and 4 assists. 10 tackles is a fab number for a single game, another notch on the belt of great signings by Coach Bill in the off-season! 

Christian Barmore pops up on my good list again, he was simply too much for center Mitch Morse and it was glorious to watch. 

Tight End Dawson Knox was pegged as an offensive weapon to keep a sharp eye on, and Adrian Phillips took this literally and watched that guy up close and personal. Phillips’ coverage of Knox was real good and he broke up most of those few plays that Allen managed to air out.

Speaking of tight ends (as I often do) there was a lack of a Patriots passing game which meant there was a severe reduction of tight endage action for li’l Clazzy Clare over here, however, Smith had that epic one handed pull the ball down for an awesome catch, and both tight ends were great with their blocking. Hunter in particular, sealed the edge and with Mike Onwenu in, Damien Harris made the touchdown.

And whilst on the subject of tight ends, I would just like to wish Hunter Henry a very happy birthday!

Rhamondre Stevenson, AKA ‘Mondre, is, plain and simple, a beast. There is no more “beast mode” it is now dubbed “‘Mondre mode”, which as you have probably guessed, is sheer power through the defense. It is, my friends, a beautiful thing to see. 

Ted Karras and Jakob Johnson are two names I have championed this season, and they owned up and showed up Monday night to help block and barricade for the run game. 

So there you have it Patriots Nation, a win at Buffalo, plain, nothing fancy, but delicious! A little like that first cup of coffee in the morning. Oh, speaking of coffee, time for another!

Go Pats!

Shipping back from Foxboro

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@ShawMellors

I’m back from an amazing trip to Boston where I saw our New England Patriots win their sixth-straight game as they beat the Titans 36-13, improving my own record at Gillette Stadium to 2-0 (The first win was against Dallas in November 2019).

I’d already been in Massachusetts for a week when game day came around, so jet lag wasn’t an issue. As it was a solo trip, I decided to use a coach company to get me to and from the game as Gillette Stadium isn’t the easiest place to get to from downtown Boston without a car! The trip was good and filled with mostly Pats fans, with a couple of Titans contingent braving forty-minute journey.

The coach arrived three hours before kickoff, so there was plenty of time to wander around the parking lots and experience the tailgating fun. The weather was crisp but pleasant as the crowds began to make their way to Patriot Place. One thing I should mention for those of you reading who don’t go to home games often or are planning to go for the first time in the future, what the Kraft family has done there is fantastic. Shopping, restaurants, bars, and movie theaters are all within walking distance of the stadium. This really adds to the experience, so it’s worth getting down early to see it all.

@ShawMellors
[Read more…] about Shipping back from Foxboro

The Patriots take on the Titans and triumph!

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Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

T’was the night before… actually it’s a little bit early for that, let’s get down to business on this chilly Monday morning shall we!? The Patriots hosted the Titans and got themselves a sixth straight win!

Not only is it the sixth win, Sunday saw the sixth undefeated November that the Patriots have completed under Coach Bill Belichick. 

And, whilst we are talking numbers, the Patriots spent the game against the Titans, driving. Ten drives to one punt. Not a bad ratio, huh?

But, whilst all those numbers are rather good, we can’t ignore some of the facts. The stats might look attractive, with a 36 to 13 win, but it wasn’t exactly an easy match up.

Even with an overall depleted crew the Titans didn’t just roll over and let the Patriots take the win. Their defense was still reasonably strong against the run and held the Patriots to 105 rushing yards. 

Contrast to that, the Titans managed 270 rushing yards, which in all fairness shows the lack of “picture painting” statistics can do sometimes. The Patriots defense generally played well. Kyle Van Noy batted down passes,  Devin Godchaux went fists in to knock a ball loose, and Kyle Dugger was quick on the recovery, and that was just in the second quarter! The third saw JC Jackson punching the ball loose, and Jalen Mills with the recovery to shut down a big run by the Titans.

Whilst Hunter Henry provided some good blocking, he was plagued by tight coverage, and only managed 2 receptions for 16 yards. Mac was not dropping dimes all game and his first quarter throw to Hunter in the end zone was just too high. 

Meanwhile, Jonnu Smith had perhaps one of his better games as a Patriot, with 49 receiving yards. His best since the Jets game at Gillette, and second best in yardage for the whole season. Although it wasn’t a roaring success, it was still glimpses of what the guy can do, and a chance to show that he is worth his two cents (okay his many, many cents but you get my point). 

Star of the show has to be Kendrick Bourne and his dainty feet! His 41 yard after the catch run was rather pretty, and in stark contrast to such prettiness, was the savage and awesome block Jakobi Meyers put down to assist Bourne in the touchdown resulting run!

So, if you’re keeping note, the Patriots are presently at 8 – 4, top of the AFC East, and second in the AFC. And we are on to Buffalo!

Go Pats!