Welcome to The Bright Side! Where each week, in our quest to try and remain as Pats positive as possible, we’ll take a look at some of the good things that came from last week’s Patriots game, win or lose. Because what are we without hope...but Jets fans.
First up: the Patriots season opening loss in Miami to the Dolphins.
I’ll give you a moment to make your necessary comments that result in swear jar contributions.
Now then...while waiting 238 days for that steamy clunker (91 degrees with an on-field feel of 110) was hardly what Pats fans were hoping for, you could always tell yourself, “Well, they never win in Miami, so at least they got that frustrating loss out of the way early.” It is but one game, albeit a disappointing one against a division opponent, but we fall down to learn how to pick ourselves, and also try not to tackle ourselves on 4th and 7 slant passes before the half.
After a long offseason of doubt, frustration and criticism over everything from coordinator titles, draft choices and roster moves, was it really as bad as you may first have felt, or others want you to believe?
There were plenty of mistakes or “teachable moments”, sure. Which may seem incongruous to a Bill Belichick team, one that’s technically the second oldest in the NFL. But there are a number of new and younger players trying to find their footing and learn “The Patriot Way”, which is more about correcting miscues and accentuating positives than it is allowing corner blitzers to waltz a free path to the quarterback. In that vein let’s take a peek at some of the things that should give the Foxboro Faithful some optimism heading into Week Two, and beyond.
HARDLY AN OFFENSIVE D
The final score was 20-7, but gentle reminder that the defense only allowed 13 points, 10 of which were earned outright by Miami, and of course one field goal that was set up by the early interception (don’t get us started on the ref missing the glaring DPI on Parker early!) Yes, Tua had 270 passing yards, but he hardly carved the Pats up. Most of those yards were YAC derived, and the Patriots did a good job of containing two of the fastest, twitchiest receivers in the NFL in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle...save for the egregious end of first half TD. That can and will be cleaned up. The Patriots contained Miami’s rushing attack, allowing only 65 yards. And players like Deatrich Wise, Ju’Whaun Bentley and Kyle Dugger showed up on the field and on tape, making big tackles and generating solid pressure. These are meat & potatoes defenders, especially Wise and Bentley, so if they continue with their high motor efforts the rest of the defense should be able to flourish. Or at least contain Mitch Trubisky and a dinged up Najee Harris. Especially if some of the tackling issues that coach Steve Beleichick discussed Tuesday get cleaned up in Aisle D.
MAC’S IMPROVING
The final score, and his stat line (21-30, 213 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 1 fumble, 2 sacks) don’t show it, but Mac is making progress, with an elevation of his game to the next level around the corner.
The line has some issues, no doubt - though Dante Scarnecchia told "The Greg Hill Show" Tuesday that Trent Brown will step his game up. Protection is key for a QB like Mac Jones who will never remind people of Jalen Hurts, but who can make more than just a throw when he needs it. And while playing the sliding doors game of “What if the Pats DID get the1st & Goal at the One” they deserved on that opening drive, scoring a TD there would have made a massive difference for Mac, the offense, the whole team and many narratives. He looked crisp, clean, sharp, precise and poised on that drive, scripted or not. If the offense around him, and the referees, do their job then we should see continued progress and offensive proficiency. Or at least more points.
So Mac’s back! And Mac’s back...is also not as bad as previously believed after he skipped the postgame presser to have X-rays (negative). Appears to just have been spasms, which we all experienced when Agholor fumbled in the 4th. Thankfully Jones should be under center Sunday in Pittsburgh, preventing us from the dreaded Hoyer vs. Trubisky matchup. The Steelers secondary will be a formidable challenge, but without world class rusher TJ Watt Mac might find the time to finish what he started the previous week in Miami.
RUN GAME IS READY
Perhaps the first half miscues that lead to the 17-0 halftime deficit forced the Patriots to get away from the run game Sunday, which is a shame, seeing as they were averaging five yards per carry early on. That’s more than respectable, and the kind of push you can build all sorts of offense around. The inside runs seemed to be more successful than the outside zone we heard so much about all offseason long, so perhaps the offensive coordination braintrust will go early and often with what worked early last time against a Steelers D that allowed four yards per carry Week One vs. the Bengals. And maybe more play-action (only two vs Miami) and even an RPO! Wouldn’t that be fun, seeing how excellent Mac was with RPO’s at Alabama. The Steelers are always a tough challenge in the trenches, so the Pats will have to step up and step into to move the pile and get it done Sunday.
A BOURNE IDENTITY?
For all that’s been made of Kendrick Bourne’s lack of playing time, and it’s warranted seeing as he’s widely viewed as the most electric playmaker on the offense...
...it seems as though the vocal majority from outside of Gillette Stadium, and inside, is making the kind of noise that will warrant more playing time. you’d have to think so when a player gets two snaps and one catch and is still somehow the second leading receiver that game.
His receiver’s coach, Troy Brown, complimented his effort, and his coach and teammates all offered words of support following the game.
We know fans want to see more of Bourne out there...and other players around the league aren’t thrilled with his lack of opportunities either!
Wouldn’t surprise me in the least to see him exit the proverbial doghouse and be a focal point of the game plan vs. Pittsburgh, even perhaps taking one to the six point house. Have to wait and see what the odds on that are when player props come out Wednesday.
See! It wasn’t all bad. Not good enough for a win, sadly, but not all bad. And with some saying the coach is cooked (we see you, Cowherd), and this is the 26th best team, aka the seventh worst in the NFL? You have to think bulletin boards are filled with motivational material and pride will come into play Sunday by the Allegheny.
And with that we are on to Pittsburgh! As far as things to look forward to in Sunday’s contest versus “the Stillers”...they are coming off the emotional high of a shocking OT win in Cincinnati, and it’s their home opener so emotions will be running high. Bill Belichick has an excellent record vs. the Yinzers (12-4 overall) and coach Mike Tomlin. They have the benefit of their surprise win vs. Cincy in tow, whereas the Pats really kinda need a W Sunday seeing as they have two very tough opponents coming after in home vs. Baltimore then on the road in Green Bay. 0-4 is no way to start a season, and every extra something helps.
Go Pats! See you next Tuesday.
