Finally, Gonzalez again plays with a textbook outside leverage technique when breaking down passes. This time he has safety Kyle Dugger in a predator position to take away a break-in route, allowing Gonzalez to sit in the trail technique again for a vertical release or hitch/curl. As Lazard takes the ball deep, Gonzalez is fully on the ball to interrupt the pass.
As early as next week, the Patriots will have to deal with better quarterback play than they did against the Jets. Jets backup Zach Wilson struggled to see the field throughout, holding the ball all day because his eyes never seemed to be in the right places or he panicked under pressure. This shouldn’t take too much away from the Pats defense; They’ve done their part to force Wilson to self-destruct with their exotic disguises, but the Jets quarterback situation without Rodgers is dire.
Although the quarterback play has been poor, that is not the case with the wide receiver talent Gonzalez faces every week, and the Patriots cornerback is off to an excellent start to his rookie season. Next up, CeeDee Lamb in Dallas.
3. Quick film notes from the Patriots Jets review
– Let’s be clear: Game plans weren’t the problem on the deep throws on third down. The Pats got a lot of press-man (cover-1 robbers) where Mac had one-on-ones on the vertical and the defense channeled throws outside the numbers against the Patriots receivers for obvious reasons. There were routes on the sticks, sometimes open, sometimes too early in the down to determine if they would have been open, that Mac missed to make shots early in the down. This is not on BOB.
– The Jets’ poor offensive game plans in the Saleh era continue. For an offense that had to run the ball, running between the tackles is a death sentence against this Pats defense, and slow-developing off-tackle wide zone runs don’t count as true perimeter runs. Do you want to run the ball downhill on Bentley, Godchaux, Guy, Wise, etc.? Why? Plays right into the Pats’ hands every time – get the ball to the rim, folks. Have the big DTs and supporters run from sideline to sideline. On second thought, keep doing what you’re doing, Jets.
– After a breakout sophomore season, RB Rhamondre Stevenson is averaging just 2.9 yards on 46 carries and his -42 rushing yards above expectations are the fourth-worst in the NFL. In my opinion, Stevenson is a patient runner who wants to build his blocks and manipulate the second level to break into the light, much like his idol Le’Veon Bell. However, early penetration attempts or failure to reset the offensive line have thrown off the timing of his process, which is why it looks like he’s constantly dancing in the backfield. Stevenson could be more decisive until the blocking improves, but he’s a defender who wants to feel where the gaps are going to open up, and he doesn’t seem sure where his chances will be right now. Zeke was more productive in this game because he was more decisive. That was clear to everyone who was there live.
– As for WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, O’Brien recognizes that JuJu isn’t a jitterbug slot that will win whip/return style routes. Yes, the Pats miss this player on offense, but the vertical seams/fades out of the slot paired with downfield in-breakers are Smith-Schuster’s best bets. He shows more juiciness/comfort when they allow him to run his preferred route tree. But these routes require precise timing with the quarterback to execute at a high level. Will this come with Mac? We will see.
– LT Trent Brown was phenomenal, with a dominant performance in all areas. Brown primarily faced Jets EDGE Jermaine Johnson and had a clean sheet, working primarily one-on-one on the blindside with 19 true pass-blocking reps (removes screens/play-action). He also punished the D-line on double-team blocks in the run game. This was one of the Pats’ best OT performances in recent memory.
– Difficult first start at right tackle for Vederian Lowe, who had more difficult matchups with John Franklin-Myers and Bryce Huff. Lowe allowed a team-high eight quarterback pressures (two QB hits, six hurries). He had a hard time countering Franklin-Myers’ two-handed swipe/power sequence, and Huff beat him with speed. Lowe has good hand and grip strength, but misses occur at the peak of the rush when he either uses his punch to stop the rush or has a short corner flying past due to blocked footwork. Lowe has better functional strength than the Pats’ other options, but he needs to keep his feet moving. They can live with lengthy runs around his edge, but if they are beaten on the inside spin of the Douglas deep ball they are likely to lose six points. Lowe improved in the running game as the game progressed, scoring some solid doubles with Onwenu.
-The other weak link on the offensive line was a left defender. Starting player LG Cole Strange was pushed around by stud DT Quinnen Williams, with the Jets targeting Strange in this matchup knowing Williams would have the upper hand. Strange allowed three quarterback pressures, was called for a hold and was repeatedly forced back into base blocks in the running game. While Strange had a better sense of spotting stunts in pass pro and was good at blocking CJ Mosley on a throw play in space, anchor/power remains a real issue – Williams dominated.
– Backup guard Atonio Mafi wasn’t much better, allowing himself to rush and getting caught off guard on his first snap. Due to his foot speed, Mafi appears to be overwhelmed in pass defense.
– Onwenu wasn’t at his best, but the Pats right back seemed to find his rhythm in the second half. Onwenu allowed a QB hit and moved the line of scrimmage a bit more this week. I suspect he’s knocked off the rest of the rust and will carry on as usual going forward.
– Despite being who he is as a run blocker, the Patriots offense would benefit from more targets for TE Mike Gesicki. He is their third most dynamic route runner behind Bourne and Pop Douglas and draws matches against safeties rather than cornerbacks. Gesicki does great vertical trunks to set up his breaks.
– Speaking of Pop Douglas, route running details still need to be ironed out, but the rookie should be their main contributor by the end of the season. The Pats need a skilled slot to pick up some of those third downs late in games, and Douglas should be able to handle those routes.
– This offensive really lacks pure withdrawal. Where is Ty Montgomery? Plus, the door is wide open for Tyquan Thornton to demand “X” receiver snaps over Parker when he returns.
– If you’re still saying that Myles Bryant stinks, then you didn’t look hard enough at the first three works or you allowed your predecessors to push that narrative. He’s off to a great start.
– DL Christian Barmore was on my “Up” list in two of three games. Barmore recorded seven QB pressures with one sack and six runs, which is a team-high. He doesn’t have the quick twitch moves he showed as a rookie, likely due to injuries taking their toll, but his upper body strength to compress the pocket is enough to make an impact in the pass rush.
– Really good performance from LB Anfernee Jennings, who recorded three QB pressures and consistently beat outside zones/blocks through tight ends to force cuts in the teeth of New England’s defense. Jennings is a solid edge setter on early downs.
– Any time an offense tries to play in a phone booth against this defense, it will be a good game for Bentley, Tavai and Jabrill Peppers. These guys love Hulk Smash. Peppers is a game-destroyer when playing close to the line of scrimmage. Picks up blocks like a boss.
-Kyle Dugger bounced back in this game, splitting time at free safety and in the box/slot. He didn’t have the impact he had last season, but that could be because he’s playing more from deep without DMac while Peppers takes more attacking reps.
– Pressures: Barmore (7, sack), Uche (5), Judon (5, two sacks), Bentley (3), Jennings (3), Wise (3), White (2), Guy (2), Roberts ( 1), Dugger (1), Tavai (1). 11 different players with a pressure rate of 47.5%!
– Coverage: Gonzalez (7/5/45, PBU), Dugger (5/3/26, PBU), Bentley (4/2/17, PBU), Peppers (4/2/3), Wade (2/1 /12), Bryant (2/1/12), Phillips (2/2/38), Jennings (1/1/1), Judon (1/1/3).