The Patriots offense sputtered out of the gate. And that’s being form.
Between turnovers (3), factors scored (7) and communication points on the offensive line (2 sacks), it was a less-than-inspiring opening week for Mac Jones & Co.
That has to alter if the Patriots have any likelihood of taking down the Pittsburgh Steelers and night their document after an opening-week loss to Miami.
It received’t assist that the Steelers, just like the Dolphins, aggressively assault quarterback with no scarcity of unique blitzes.
They continuously convey the warmth.
It additionally doesn’t assist that Brian Flores, the previous Miami head coach now an assistant with the Steelers, has had success attacking the Patriots entrance, one thing he’s very acquainted with having been a defensive coach beneath Bill Belichick for a variety of years.
All that being mentioned, it behooves the Patriots to get their collective act collectively on offense, to not point out cease being so vanilla.
“I think it’s a super talented defense. Play a lot of different coverages, definitely fly to the ball,” Jones mentioned of the Steelers on Wednesday. “They’ve got playmakers all over the field. It’s a really good defense to kind of go against. We don’t get to play against them a lot, but just got to be ready to go and correct the things we want to correct and focus on ourselves.”
Here’s what Jones & Co. must do to rebound towards the Steelers:
1. Pick up the blitz
The Patriots can not have free rushers bearing down on Jones. They can not afford to have communication issues with the offensive line.
Last week, the Men of Steel sacked Joe Burrow seven occasions. If offensive line coach Matt Patricia doesn’t get the road sorted out, it’ll be a fair longer day for Jones.
Even with sack grasp T.J. Watt out, the Steelers nonetheless have loads of individuals who can get to the quarterback.
As it’s, groups are going to go after Jones till the Patriots show they’ll shield him.
If the blitz is efficient, groups are going to maintain coming in waves. So it’s crucial to get the linemen on the identical web page, and for Jones to be eager on the place the blitz is coming from.
It may additionally assist if they’ll run the soccer, and set up play motion.
“I think every defense has some form of the blitz in their package and whether that’s one, two, three, four guys. It depends on the defense, I guess,” mentioned Jones. “Luckily, we have really good coaches and rules and things that I can stick to that I know based on what I’m supposed to do. It should take care of the things that are coming our way. ”
2. Protect the soccer
The Steelers pressured the Bengals into 5 turnovers. Between the interceptions (4) and fumbles (1), that was a sport changer.
Specifically, Burrow and the Bengals turned the ball over on 4 of their first 5 drives, with the quarterback shedding a fumble on a strip sack and tossing three interceptions.
The Patriots are coming off a three-turnover (strip sack, interception, fumble) efficiency themselves.
“They have a good front. … Their secondary is kind of a ballhawking secondary,” mentioned Belichick. “They go after the ball, read the quarterback well, do a good job of breaking on the throw and closing space quickly.”
3. Let Bourne play
Kendrick Bourne is their most explosive participant on offense. He’s obtained pace, and he could make game-changing sort performs – in the event that they let him.
For a wide range of causes, be it being late to a gathering earlier than the Panthers pre-season sport, or just falling down the depth chart as a result of he was outperformed by his fellow receivers, Bourne noticed simply two snaps towards the Dolphins.
One of these two snaps was a 41-yard completion from Jones. Clearly, he must get on the sector extra.
“Kendrick’s a real positive guy. I wasn’t surprised he went in there and made the big play, even after not really playing,” mentioned Jakobi Meyers. “That’s just the kind of guy he is. I know whatever the coaches tell him to do, he’ll go in there and do the best he can.”
What does he add to the crew?
“A lot,” mentioned Meyers. “Energy and playmaking on the field. Excitement off the field. He’s a great guy to have on the team.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com