This past year's draft class is one of the best under Bill Belicheck. That was highlighted tonight with running backs Pierre Strong Jr. and Kevin Harris stepping up with Rhamondre Stevenson going down with an injury. All-around threat Marcus Jones got an interception on defense and caught a few passes on offense. The defense looked great again while missing Jalen Mills, and rookie Jack Jones leaving with an injury a few plays in. Matt Judon was spectacular again, and Josh Uche recorded three sacks to bring his season total to ten.
The offense was a different story. Every other play seemed to be a screenplay, with the offensive line looking very poor. Trent Brown continues to disappoint this year with his poor play continuing tonight. Many times Mac Jones was forced to get rid of the ball early, and his depth of target did not really increase until he was finally given enough time in the pocket. DeVante Parker getting ruled out early with a concussion, and no Jakobi Meyers was also a factor in this. The play calling by Matt Patricia was again not the greatest, but not the overarching issue it has been in previous games this season. (All be it I would have liked to see more play action considering the Cardinals ranked #30th in the league against it, and it is one of the Pats strengths.)
There are definite holes on this New England roster, but none that can't be filled. I think that another great draft class and offseason dedicated to filling these holes will catapult this team to contending within the conference and for the division once again. The Bill O'Brien reunion with the Patriots rumors are back to swirling which would help improve the offense tremendously. That would fix a majority of the issues, along with a full offseason for Mac Jones and Co. to progress in as he prepares for what would be his 3rd offense play-caller in 3 seasons.
The holes on this team are easily fixed if addressed correctly this offseason, and then this team is back to contending like it was. Others will deny this because they are too scared to admit it.
(I want to put on top of this the rumors that Tom Brady could return to New England that had been circling the internet last week. While I would love this, I would put the chances at it happening somewhere between 20-25ish%. It would certainly help this agenda I am pushing of them contending, and think bringing in BOB would only attract him more. I am, however, expecting this not to happen and taking that into account when I say they still will contend.)
Comments
Post a Comment