The Patriots enter their bye week with a winning record that’s keeping them on the periphery of the wide-open AFC playoff race.
Bill Belichick’s continued ability to devise defenses that humiliate bad quarterbacks is the biggest reason they’re staying afloat.
The Patriots throttled the Colts 26-3 Sunday in one of the most lopsided and uninspiring games anybody could ever imagine. Neither Mac Jones nor Sam Ehlinger seemed comfortable in the pocket, with plays breaking down and defenders barreling into them. But on this day, Ehlinger was worse. The 2021 sixth-round pick, who took Matt Ryan’s job two weeks ago, was sacked nine times for minus-60 yards. Ehlinger completed 15 of 29 passes for just 103 yards.
The Colts’ ineptitude wasn’t all on Ehlinger. Their offensive line was abysmal, leaving him with no room to operate. Matthew Judon dominated with three sacks.
I don’t know how you look at this and say Sam Ehlinger is the issue for the Colts right now pic.twitter.com/tuItj878of
— trace (@TraceReacts) November 6, 2022
But the Patriots’ dominance over Ehlinger was about more than singular performances from defensive players or the Colts’ own unique brand of awfulness. The Patriots have throttled lousy quarterbacks in each of their five wins this season: Mitch Trubisky, Jared Goff, Jacoby Brissett, Zach Wilson and Ehlinger.
The five pathetic pass-throwers have combined for the following numbers against New England: 96-of-183 (52.4 percent), 224.2 passing yards per game, six touchdowns, eight interceptions.
The Patriots enjoyed a similar run against terrible quarterbacks last season in the midst of their seven-game win streak.
The Patriots have a host of problems, beginning with their offense’s inability to generate any consistent traction besides Nick Folk field goals. But as long as they keep handling atrocious QBs, of which there are many, they will stay competitive.
With post-bye games coming up against the Vikings, Bills (twice), Bengals and Dolphins, the Patriots will have to actually beat good competition. But feasting on the dregs of the league has kept them respectable, up until this point.
Baseline Belichick is still better than at least half of the league.
