The Patriots offense appeared higher than it has in a while in opposition to the Vikings in a dropping effort on Thanksgiving.
Mac Jones threw for practically 400 yards with two landing passes, however nonetheless got here up brief.
Against the Bills, the unit as an entire must be higher, particularly on third down, however extra importantly, within the pink zone the place they’re at present thirty first out of 32 groups in pink zone proportion. It gained’t get any simpler Thursday night time.
According to most metrics, the Bills protection ranks among the many NFL’s finest.
“They’re the best defense in the league,” Jones mentioned. “So we have to be ready for that. It really starts with us, just playing the best football we can. It’s a great team that we’re going against.”
Since head coach Sean McDermott took over in 2017, the Pats have averaged fewer than 20 offensive factors per recreation in opposition to Buffalo’s protection.
That gained’t minimize it Thursday night time. They’re going to want extra to maintain tempo.
Here’s how Jones and the offense may also help pull off an upset of the Bills.
1. Finish drives
The Patriots have solely scored 12 touchdowns on 31 journeys to the pink zone. That interprets right into a paltry 38.71 landing proportion.
Against the Bills, they’ll’t be settling for subject objectives. They have to cross the aim line and end drives with touchdowns.
Whether it’s enhancing on play-calling, execution, or quarterback play, the Pats have to step up within the cash space to have an opportunity in opposition to the Bills.
“Things are harder (down there), so our attention to detail has to go up,” mentioned receiver Jakobi Meyers. “It’s definitely a combination of all those things, honestly. Less space, but you have to be ready right now for the ball, and get to exactly where you need to be. There’s less margin for error.”
Especially in opposition to the Bills.
2. Let Rhamondre roll
The Bills’ go protection is ranked twenty eighth by DVOA in overlaying backs out of the backfield. That principally means a inexperienced gentle for the Patriots to feed the ball to Rhamondre Stevenson.
He ranks among the many league leaders in each main receiving class at his place. Stevenson simply has to interrupt free popping out of the backfield, then take care of Bills linebackers Matt Milano and Tremaine Edwards.
It also needs to be famous via 11 video games, the Bills rank because the NFL’s fifth-worst tackling crew, per Pro Football Focus grades. As for Stevenson, he’s pressured 43 missed tackles, in keeping with PFF, together with 17 as a receiver, the fourth-most within the league.
How Stevenson fares is among the greatest keys for the Patriots.
3. Don’t assist Josh Allen
The Bills are tied for second within the league in takeaways with 20. They’ve picked off 13 passes, and recovered seven fumbles.
The final thing the Patriots wish to do is flip the ball over to Josh Allen, and provides him additional probabilities to attain.
Of late, Jones has cleaned up his act. He hasn’t turned the ball over through the previous three video games. His receivers have additionally executed a greater job of holding onto the soccer.
The Patriots know they need to eradicate the errors usually, however on this recreation particularly. One ill-timed choose or fumble could possibly be the distinction. During the previous two conferences in opposition to the Bills, Jones threw 4 interceptions.
“They’re a good team. Whatever extra it takes, that’s what we have to do,” mentioned Meyers, who is predicted to play after struggling a shoulder harm in opposition to the Vikings. “I feel the entire crew has purchased in on making an attempt to try this to ensure we do no matter we gotta do to win this recreation.
“We want to win them all, but we definitely want this one,” he mentioned. “That’s a good team. It makes you feel good when you beat good teams.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com