FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Fast-hit ideas and notes across the New England Patriots and NFL:
1. Defensive regression: When the Patriots traded exterior linebacker Matthew Judon to the Falcons in August, head coach Jerod Mayo famous the importance of the loss, but additionally the group’s historical past of with the ability to overcome it.
“We have gone years with out having a premier rusher however we had been in a position to manufacture cross rush by our stunts and video games and our game-planning,” he stated on the time. “I feel we’ve got a superb group able to go.”
Like many issues within the Patriots’ disappointing 3-11 season, that hasn’t come to fruition.
The Patriots have been credited with contacting the quarterback 98 instances this season, in response to ESPN Analysis, which ranks final within the NFL. The subsequent closest group is the Panthers (103).
What has occurred to the D?
Whereas many anticipated the Patriots’ offense to wrestle as a consequence of obtrusive personnel shortcomings alongside the offensive line and receiver, the demise of the protection has arguably been the larger storyline, partially as a result of it’s Mayo’s experience as a former linebacker and defensive assistant.
It involves the forefront Sunday when the Patriots go to MVP candidate Josh Allen and the high-flying Payments (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS), who’ve scored 30-plus factors in every of their house video games, tying the second-longest streak (6) to start a season in NFL historical past.
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2 Associated
Take into account a few of the bottom-line statistics, per ESPN Analysis:
60.8 QBR is thirtieth within the NFL — forward of solely the Panthers (64.7) and Jaguars (62.8) — and on tempo to be their worst allowed in a season since ESPN started monitoring the metric in 2006.
3.7 landing/interception ratio (22/6) ranks twenty seventh and on tempo to be their worst in a season in franchise historical past.
42.4% third-down conversion charge allowed ranks twenty fourth and places them on tempo for his or her worst season since 2011 (43.1%).
Mayo cited consistency and taking part in with higher fundamentals as key areas, whereas first-year defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington stated it comes all the way down to self-discipline and doing the little issues proper on a play-by-play foundation.
Personnel losses have not helped.
Linebacker/signal-caller Ja’Whaun Bentley sustained a season-ending torn pectoral muscle in Week 2, which was a giant blow. Cornerstone defensive sort out Christian Barmore (restricted to 4 video games) was identified with blood clots in late July and simply landed again on the non-football sickness record this week.
And beginning security Jabrill Peppers missed eight video games after being positioned on the commissioner’s exempt record in October, whereas fellow beginning security Kyle Dugger missed 4 video games with an ankle damage and hasn’t regarded like the identical participant upon his return.
Partially as a result of the Patriots devoted seven of their eight draft picks to a talent-deficient offense, and nearly all of their free agent consideration additionally went to that aspect of the ball, they had been much less geared up to deal with these hits. And the departures of former head coach Invoice Belichick and playcaller Steve Belichick — whose forte is protection — falls into that class as effectively.
However even then, Covington stated the method has been to “adapt or die” with a dedication to “nonetheless maintain the identical normal.”
Maybe there’s a deeper inside dialog available within the offseason, assuming proprietor Robert Kraft brings Mayo again for a second season, about whether or not that adaptation ought to embrace a big scheme change primarily based on an uptick in aggressiveness.
For now, although, Covington stated the main target is on the problem forward of them.
“I am pleased with the best way the blokes present as much as work on daily basis and [everyone] must be pleased with the best way they present as much as work on daily basis,” he stated. “They’re attempting to play arduous, enhance and end.”
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Schefter to McAfee: Patriots wish to hold Jerod Mayo
Adam Schefter explains to Pat McAfee the Patriots’ pondering in wanting to maintain Jerod Mayo previous this season.
2. Backing Mayo: Acknowledging that Mayo continues to be studying as a first-year head coach, a number of veteran gamers privately supported him within the locker room over the previous few days as media-based hypothesis about Mayo’s job safety has intensified. They pointed to a locker room that continues to be united, being a part of seven one-score video games, and youth/inexperience on the roster among the many causes for that help.
In the meantime, on the interview podium, nine-year veteran defensive lineman Deatrich Clever Jr. stated: “There’s plenty of coaches whose first yr is not that good and so they go on to do nice issues; to offer you an instance — [Detroit’s Dan Campbell], look the place he’s now. [Mayo] all the time brings excessive power, all the time does a superb job teaching guys whereas critiquing them and motivating them on the similar time. Sure, we wish to have extra wins. That is apparent. However on the similar time, what he’s doing I feel will work out sooner or later.”
3. AVP underneath fireplace: Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt was put in a troublesome spot this week, after CBS cameras confirmed video of homeowners Robert Kraft and Jonathan Kraft trying displeased throughout final Sunday’s loss at Arizona — at a time when the offense had back-to-back damaging operating performs.
Then after the sport, Mayo’s postgame remarks left open to interpretation that maybe he was at odds with Van Pelt’s brief yardage playcalls (which Mayo later clarified). A couple of days later, a Boston Globe columnist opined that Van Pelt ought to lose his job.
Van Pelt will in the end be judged on the general deserves of his work, which incorporates the event of quarterback Drake Maye. He has been steadfastly loyal to Mayo, and accountable to each query requested of him on a weekly foundation.
“I’ve Jerod’s again in any respect prices,” he stated.
Patriots OC Alex Van Pelt on Jerod Mayo’s post-game remarks … short-yardage play-calling … why he is holding off on Drake Maye QB sneaks … Jonathan Kraft’s response in CBS digicam shot … Kayshon Boutte’s public criticism and apology. pic.twitter.com/V3mR49UBrg
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) December 19, 2024
4. Maye in chilly climate: Sunday’s street recreation towards the Payments, with temperatures forecasted to be within the teenagers, will mark the coldest game-time temperature for a contest Maye has performed in faculty or the NFL.
In faculty, the coldest game-time temperature was 39 levels in a 39-20 loss at NC State on Nov. 25, 2023. Maye completed 22-of-38 for 254 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions that day, along with 9 carries for 110 yards and a landing.
This season, the coldest game-time temperature was 36 levels in a 25-24 house loss to the Colts on Dec. 1. Maye was 24-of-30 for 238 yards, with one landing and one interception and added 5 carries for 59 yards
Maye stated Wednesday that he was excited to put on lengthy sleeves for the primary time and embrace the circumstances. He additionally stated he remembers being half of highschool video games within the 20s, probably into the teenagers.
5. They stated it: “I feel their quarterback goes to be actually good for a extremely very long time. He is making some unbelievable performs — extending and from the pocket. I bought plenty of respect for him and his recreation.” — Payments QB Josh Allen, on Maye
6. Henry’s milestone: 9-year veteran tight finish Hunter Henry has established a single-season profession excessive with 62 receptions; his earlier greatest was 60 in his ultimate season with the Chargers in 2020.
Henry, who’s signed by the 2026 season, turned 30 on Dec. 7. “It is all the time good to attain a milestone. One thing to chase after for subsequent yr, too, so hopefully I can stack it somewhat greater,” he stated.
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7. Jones a ‘Good Man’: 9-year veteran cornerback Jonathan Jones was introduced the Ron Hobson “Good Man Award” by Patriots reporters Wednesday to specific appreciation for a participant who respectfully fulfills media obligations with class and professionalism.
On the ever-evolving player-media dynamic, Jones stated: “This enterprise relies off the followers. A lot of the instances, our voice is heard by [the media] — giving the followers entry to the state of the group and attempt to fill that void to the followers who’re on the skin.”
8. Stiff-arm king: Patriots operating backs coach Taylor Embree stated he watches carries from all NFL operating backs, partially as a instructing instrument for his personal gamers.
Because of that movie examine, he charges Cardinals operating again James Conner because the NFL’s greatest at utilizing the stiff-arm this season — a way he is been engaged on with Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson.
9. Chargers’ selection: When the Chargers go to the Patriots on Saturday, they plan to put on their white jerseys with gold pants, per a group spokesperson. A disappointment to those that consider their powder blue jersey is the most effective within the NFL (hand raised).
10. Do you know?: Maye has thrown a landing cross in six straight video games, and if he tosses one other Sunday towards the Payments, he’ll tie Jim Plunkett (1971) for the longest such streak by a rookie in franchise historical past.
