Patriots
“It was clear within the Patriots’ irritating however quasi-encouraging 25-20 loss to the Eagles that the third-year quarterback suffered no lasting harm.”
Welcome to the Unconventional Evaluate, an instantaneous response to standouts, stats, and story traces from the Patriots’ most up-to-date sport …
One sport into the 2023 Patriots season, this a lot we all know: Mac Jones isn’t damaged.
Final season’s debacle might have left a uninteresting scar or two, but it surely was clear within the Patriots’ irritating however quasi-encouraging 25-20 loss to the Eagles that the third-year quarterback suffered no lasting harm.
Jones appeared Sunday like he did at his finest as a rookie, and if that looks as if faint reward, hey, it’s reward nonetheless. With the working sport usually caught in impartial, two rookie guards beginning on the offensive line, and the necessity to dig out of a fast 16-0 deficit, extra of the burden fell on Jones than might need been anticipated.
He dealt with it properly, more often than not, finishing 35 of 54 passes for 316 yards, with three touchdowns and a Darius Slay Sr. pick-6, which helped create that early deficit. When the Patriots got here to life within the second quarter, he accomplished 11 straight passes at one level. He orchestrated Invoice O’Brien’s enjoyable offense with deftness and command, although too usually his passes within the flat had a dangerously late arrival time.
With Tom Brady trying on, it could have been a becoming tribute for Jones and the Patriots to drag off a late comeback. However like in these encouraging performances in opposition to the Buccaneers and Cowboys in his rookie season, the job went unfinished.
That’s the subsequent step, and it must occur quickly. However no less than he’s not damaged. We all know that. Now it’s time to go about discovering out what he’s.
Some additional ideas, upon quick overview …
Three gamers who had been price watching
Gamers recommended within the Unconventional Preview: Christian Gonzalez, Ezekiel Elliott, Trent Brown.
Hunter Henry: Of all of the Patriots offensive talent gamers final season, Henry might need been the one whose talent was marginalized probably the most by Matt Patricia’s fulfilled quest to show that teaching offense is certainly tougher than rocket science. The tight finish constructed a powerful rapport with Jones in 2021, catching 9 landing passes, however had simply two final 12 months whereas making 41 receptions, his lowest whole since his rookie season in 2016. So it was encouraging, if hardly shocking now that competence reigns once more, to see him resume his position as an essential a part of the passing sport Sunday. Henry collected 5 catches for 56 yards, together with a 9-yard snag for the Patriots’ first landing within the second quarter and a spectacular one-handed, 12-yard seize on fourth and eight early within the fourth quarter. Not that he ever left, but it surely positive is nice to have him again, you understand?
Kendrick Bourne: May as properly persist with the theme of misused Patriots discovering some redemption within the new season. The large receiver tied working again Rhamondre Stevenson for the Patriots lead in receptions (6) and receiving yards (64), and two of his catches resulted in touchdowns. Bourne was on the receiving finish of probably the greatest throws Jones has ever made, leading to a 19-yard landing to chop the Eagles result in 16-14 within the second quarter, and he added a second rating from 11 yards out with 3:37 left within the sport. I ought to have stated it earlier than the sport, and I’m going to say it now: Bourne would be the Patriots’ finest receiver this season. If it’s not an excessive amount of to ask, possibly he might take a minute to show Kayshon Boutte find out how to get two toes down alongside the sideline.
Christian Gonzalez: A.J. Brown, the Eagles’ star receiver — properly, considered one of their star receivers — completed with 7 receptions for 79 yards. However don’t you come away from this sport enthused about Gonzalez, the rookie cornerback who in his debut usually was tasked with masking Brown? Gonzalez picked up his first profession sack on an entirely surprising nook blitz. Later, with the Eagles going for it on fourth and a couple of from the Patriots’ 44 with 1:57 left, he made a Professional Bowl-level go breakup on a brief go to that different star receiver, DeVonta Smith, giving the Patriots one final shot at profitable the sport. Given the opponent and the diploma of problem of the project, it was a superb debut for the child nook.
Grievance of the sport
Invoice Belichick’s Patriots should get again into that previous behavior of being the smarter, extra disciplined crew. There have been nonetheless approach too many errors Sunday, from defensive finish Deatrich Sensible Jr.’s encroachment penalty on the second play from scrimmage to the extra expensive ones that quickly adopted — Slay’s pick-6 after which, on the Patriots’ subsequent play, working again Ezekiel Elliott misplaced fumble at their very own 26. A 5-yard Smith landing catch later, and the Eagles had their 16-0 lead.
The Patriots can’t afford to provide breaks to gifted opponents. Inform me if the Patriots will eradicate these barnacle-brained errors, and I’ll let you know how hopeful to be about what’s forward.
Three notes scribbled within the margins
Predicted rating: Eagles 30, Patriots 24
Closing rating: Eagles 25, Patriots 20
I do know, I do know, I ought to have used far more actual property right here to salute the Patriots protection, which held the Eagles to 9 factors within the second half, allowed simply 4 of 13 third downs to be transformed over your entire sport, and held Jalen Hurts and that numerous offense to 251 whole yards. A improbable efficiency, particularly contemplating the early hints that it may be a rout. Greatest play? Security Jabrill Peppers’s hit on Hurts to power a fumble with 3:28 left. It appeared like one thing Rodney Harrison would have executed to Donovan McNabb again in Part 1 of the dynasty … Between noting that doghouse dweller Bourne “got here on final 12 months,” and saying a play was, “massive for New England, only for the momentum side, proper?,” earlier than blurting, “I imply Philly!,” any hopes for a bounce-back 12 months from Tony Romo in CBS’s No. 1 analyst seat aren’t off to a very good begin … The best a part of the well-done Tom Brady ceremony was seeing the assortment of former teammates that confirmed up for the festivities. And you understand what? I guess Brady acknowledged each considered one of them, though he most likely hasn’t seen a few of them for a decade.
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