The Patriots don’t blitz much, if at all, and don’t get to quarterback Mark Sanchez with the standard rush, which primarily consisted of Chandler Jones, Vince Wilfork, Kyle Love and Rob Ninkovich-or-Jermaine Cunningham. The rush does deliver when it counts on the final play of overtime, but Sanchez still had success with all that time to throw.
37-40/100 photos of Rob Gronkowski
https://www.patspropaganda.com/the-destroia-37-40100-photos-of-rob-gronkowski/
It’s not like in the seventh week of the year you have all the answers. You never really have all the answers. There’s only one team that’s really happy at the end of the year, and I think it’s a building process and playing your best football at the most important times.
PASS DEFENSE
Well, they didn’t allow any embarrassing long touchdown catches, so that’s an improvement over last week. But this unit allowed Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez to complete a career-high nine passes on attempts of 15 yards of more downfield. They also committed illegal contact and defensive holding penalties that have become commonplace as opposing quarterbacks drop back and target Patriots cornerbacks and safeties. the pass rush was effective at times, but 328 yards from Sanchez and this Jets offense isn’t acceptable.
Under-reaction to the Jets gift to the Patriots
“They are who we thought they were.”
That’s what I kept thinking as I watched Sunday’s ugly win unfold before me. It was almost cruelly the exact same set up we’ve been watching for what seems like years now.
Pats up by double digits. Pats slowly wilt, only to see it stolen away at the last possible moment. Unless they get a turnover, which they did.
Offensively I am encouraged. Slightly. Their performance with the game on the line cannot be swept under the rug. But otherwise it was generally gross, with a slew of drops and an inconsistent line that was missing two starters. They got the job done, barely, with it all on the line.
So it’s a positive to build off of, however small. Let’s give Mankins next week off too and come back blazing after the bye.
Defensively they’ve still got a ways to go. Obvs. It’s so frustrating to see a weakness exploited again and again, no matter the quarterback or receiver. By this point you’d have hoped for at least a bit of improvement. But no, it’s the same old story with the 2012 Pats, adding another 6 to their average 5.5 20+ plays per game.
They show flashes at times, but it’s never sustained. Stopping the run they’re fine. But when Mark Sanchez is completing 68% of his passes you know something with the pass defense is wrong.
The only thing Pats fans can hope for is that Gregory and Chung come back soon and remain healthy and starting together the rest of the year. If we have to endure another season of hodgepodge on the back end it’s going to be a long season that isn’t going to end pretty.
I believe the offense will start to hit their stride after the bye. They’re still searching for an identity. I don’t know what to expect from the defense. You’d like to think they’ll start to catch on, but at this point it looks like a long shot.
But hey, maybe this is one of those Giants-type seasons where we finish 9-7 but get uber-hot at the right moment?
Patriots defensive possessions vs. Jets Drive Chart
https://www.patspropaganda.com/patriots-defensive-possessions-vs-jets-drive/
