Sunday’s 23-20 overtime loss for the Patriots was an ugly performance for New England’s passing attack, as they only managed 149 yards through the air on 15 completions.
This was the second straight week where New England’s offense lacked an aerial attack, as they were held to 121 yards on 15 completions in their Week 1 upset win in Cincinnati.
So, what gives?
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo told the media on Monday that he and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt are in agreement on what needs to change.
“Look, we’re on the same page,” said Mayo. “We know we can run the ball. In saying that, he understands that, you know, we got to get some of the other players, [DeMario Douglas] in particular, but some of these other players involved, and run the offense. And that’s what we’ll do this Thursday.”
That he mentioned Douglas by name is no surprise, given what the second-year receiver’s stat line looked like coming out of Sunday’s loss:
0 catches.
0 yards.
0 targets.
This performance comes after a Week 1 game for Douglas that might as well have been zeros across the board as well - 2 catches for 12 yards on 3 targets.
Douglas is widely regarded as the most explosive player on the Patriots offense, showing throughout his rookie season why “Pop” was more than just an old family nickname. In 14 games of action last season, Douglas caught 49 balls for 561 yards, averaging 11.44 yards per catch.
Those are the types of plays New England’s offense has lacked through two weeks of regular season football. And with Jerod Mayo spending most of his interview with The Greg Hill Show on Monday talking about a need for their offense to “push the ball down field,” it makes perfect sense that a greater emphasis would be made to get Douglas more involved in the offense.
When talking with the media before practice on Monday, Douglas said Sunday’s lack of targets was “very challenging,” but that he’s already looking ahead to Thursday’s Week 3 matchup with the New York Jets (1-1).
“Things happen for a reason,” said Douglas. “Whenever my time’s ready, I’m gonna show ’em.”
When Douglas was asked if he felt like he’s been able to show what he’s capable of so far this season, he said, “Last year. Not yet this year.”
If Mayo’s sentiments on Monday are carried out on Thursday, that should change for Douglas.
“Offensively, we gotta find a way to get the ball down the field,” said Mayo. “We gotta find a way to get the ball in our playmakers’ hands, so those guys can go out there and make yards.”
Mayo went on to say that making this happen falls on the coaches, with the ultimate blame falling on himself.
“That definitely is something that we have to continue to move forward.”
The Patriots have a short week to work in the explosive plays, as they head to MetLife Stadium on Thursday for their Week 3 game against the Jets.
New England is currently a 6-point underdog at BetMGM, and a 6.5-point underdog at FanDuel.