How the New England Patriots Might Have Avoided a Loss to the New York Jets
Bad decisions by Tom Brady may have cost the New England Patriots the game against the New York Jets but make no mistake that, although a quarterback may take a majority of the blame, the loss was a team effort.
It's impossible to point out one thing that the Patriots should have done differently because usually when a team loses, it's a few factors that work against them.
But here are some adjustments the Patriots could have made to give themselves a better chance to win on Sunday.
High-Percentage Short Completions in Second Half
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One big problem for the Patriots in the second half was facing the pressure. The Jets defense came out with the mentality that they simply wouldn't let the Patriots march up and down the field like they did in the first 30 minutes of play.
This was a missed opportunity for the Patriots, who took a lot of chances on deep throws into coverage or intermediate ones into traffic.
It didn't help that it seemed the pass rush threw off Brady's timing.
More short completions on screen plays would have not only helped Brady get back in rhythm, but also would have capitalized on the Jets' aggressive play in the second half.
Back Off Pressure On Mark Sanchez
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It looked like the Patriots were taking a page out of the Jets' defensive playbook on Sunday, as they blitzed Mark Sanchez with relentless authority.
I liked the aggression with which the Patriots played, but it looked like their defensive backs weren't up to the task of covering the Jets receivers by themselves.
Darius Butler was left on an island against the Jets receivers for much of the game and gave up a pair of costly fourth-quarter pass interference calls. Giving him help in coverage would have helped tremendously because he wouldn't felt so inclined to rough up his man.
More Effective Running Plays
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The Jets got the majority of their push from the outside of the defensive line. Still, the Patriots ran the ball that direction time and time again. They kept running one way only to be forced back inside into the waiting arms of nose tackle Sione Pouha (six tackles) or defensive end Mike DeVito (five).
The Jets were overload blitzing as they usually do, so it would have been effective to run the ball away from the blitz to make the Jets pay for their aggressive play.
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Ball Control in The Second Half
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The Patriots had two possessions lasting over seven-and-a-half minutes each in the first half, but didn't put together a drive more than four minutes long in the second half. The Patriots had several drives lasting two minutes apiece and a pair of drives that lasted about a minute each. Their longest drive was 3:42.
Not counting the three turnovers, the Patriots still couldn't manage to get any rhythm on offense in the second half.
Hanging onto the ball for long drives would have helped wear out the Jets defense but the short drives gave them more rest. New York had a lot more energy throughout the second half and, although I'm sure they got an...inspiring lecture from Rex Ryan, spending most of their time on the sideline must have helped as well.
Roll Coverage To Darius Butler's Side
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There's no excuse for the lack of discipline showed by Darius Butler. Two pass interference penalties that close together shouldn't happen in the NFL.
Butler himself said, “Someone’s taller than you, bigger than you, faster than you...you have to find a way to stop him. That’s what you get paid to do. And I didn’t do a good job of that today.”
Braylon Edwards has caught a lot of flack for drops, but he knows how to catch or else he wouldn't be playing in the NFL. Butler has been the weak link of this secondary since the preseason, yet the 5'10" corner was consistently left alone against the 6'3" Edwards.
Extra coverage on that side would have been nice, but Edwards wasn't even the most productive Jet pass-catcher.
Who Was Covering Dustin Keller?
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The Patriots had to be aware that Dustin Keller is Mark Sanchez's favorite target. Somehow, the tight end went off with seven receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown. Keller seems to gives the Patriots problems every time he faces them.
For some reason, he was left wide open time and time again.
A lack of depth in the secondary was exposed by Keller's ability to run up and down the field at will on Sunday. The Patriots need to find an answer for him by the time they meet again in Week 13.
Better Luck Next Time...
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"It's going to be a long week." -Tom Brady, after the loss to the Jets.
That statement couldn't be more true, and the Patriots have to be thankful that they welcome their perennial doormat, the Buffalo Bills, into Gillette Stadium next Sunday.
The Bills have looked all out of sorts this season so far, and have a mountainous task in front of them yet again after a shellacking at the hands of the Packers.
But the Patriots can't afford to underestimate them. It'll be a long week in New England for sure, but it could be an even longer Sunday if they come out as flat as they did in the second half against the Jets.
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