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!

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!

Unfortunately it’s not victory Monday, and that’s got nothing to do with the fact that it’s Tuesday!

Okay, there may not be much to recap on the game that you lovely lot will want to read, but I shall buckle up and give it a go buttercup!

Although a defeat to the, 31st in the league for most things Chicago Bears, it wasn’t all bad I promise.

Whilst the offensive line seemed to crumble a little, and Cole Strange had his first penalty, Isaiah Wynn didn’t have any… okay, okay you caught me, he wasn’t playing, and unfortunately Trent Brown seemed to take up the reigns to ensure that the sheet didn’t go clean when it came to offensive line holding penalties. 

The defense wasn’t great against the run, and they left too many receivers open on a Chicago offense that has been known to suck. 

A lot of the coaching left plenty to be desired, and the decision to play in-and-out with the quarterbacks didn’t quite pan out how it was probably hoped. 

The one point I would like to make that may come across as a little whiney, and I’m not an advocate for whinging and blaming the officiating, however… If the officials would have stopped casting a blind eye to all the Matthew Judon holds, he may have gotten to the quarterback even more, and shut down some of those air out plays that gave the Bears points. 

Okay, I can throw some sunshine on this, as I promised I would. 

If you tuned into the game moments into the second quarter (after the unfortunate Mac pick) and watched all the way through to the end of the second quarter, so yes okay about 13 minutes of clock time, you would have seen a fabulous Patriots team. 

Bailey Zappe came into the game, succeeded in a short completion to Jonnu Smith – tight endage people! – then he made a great read to Rhamondre AND, AND a beautiful deeeeeeep ball to a completely open Jakobi Meyers for a touchdown!

Next, Justin Fields threw out a floater, tipped by Matthew Judon, into the arms of Myles Bryant.

We move along to a spin and catch of Devante Parker as Zappe aired out a 43 yarder!

Rhamondre Stevenson continues his reign as Steamerson walking it in for a touchdown, with some great support blocking by Hunter Henry.

Zappe just seemed to look way more comfortable in the pocket than Mac this game and I for one enjoyed watching it, but also hope that Mac can get his mojo back too.

Well, there you have it you lovely lot, a game recap as best I could. I hope it wasn’t too painful!

Until next time…Go Pats!