United States today
Throughout training camp, questions were raised about how the Patriots’ offense will play out without longtime offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who is now the Raiders’ head coach. The Patriots’ first two offensive possessions tonight against the Panthers showed why those questions have yet to be satisfactorily answered.
The Patriots’ offense started the game with two three-and-outs and more plays that left observers wondering what type of unit this offense will be.
Damien Harris ran for six yards on the Patriots’ first offensive game, but after that good run on the first down, Mac Jones threw receiver DeVante Parker behind on the second down, and Parker dropped the ball as he reached back to catch it. Jones was released third.
On the next drive, the Patriots ran for first down again, with Rhamondre Stevenson gaining three yards, then an incompletion on the second down when Jones threw too high for Jakobi Meyers, and another incompletion on the third down when Jones failed to engage with Stevenson could connect.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has declined to name an offensive coordinator or say who is calling the games, but former Lions head coach Matt Patricia and former Giants head coach Joe Judge appear to be the head coaches responsible for the lead the offensive. Neither has ever been an offensive game caller before, and until the Patriots’ first offense finds sustained success, these questions about this new Patriots offense will continue.