The Patriots may only be 2-5 after yesterday’s win against the Bills, but it feels like momentum could be shifting in their favor.<\/p>\n
The offense has generated an EPA per play above 0.0 and a positive EPA rate above 50% for the first time this season in each of the past two weeks. Much of this success has come down to personnel and scheme changes. Up front, Mike Onwenu was finally kicked out to right tackle, where his only pressure allowed came against Von Miller. JuJu Smith-Schuster being inactive also opened the door for Demario Douglas (career-high 35 offensive snaps) to seize a bigger role. New England is also using more motion and misdirection to confuse defenses, giving playmakers more chances in space and not asking Mac Jones to hold onto the football. Jones noted after the game that he appreciated Bill O’Brien integrating plays the quarterback liked in college and that appreciation carried over to the field.<\/p>\n
The defense has struggled in recent weeks without star players Matthew Judon and Christian Gonzalez, punctuated by a loss to former Patriots backups Jimmy Garoppolo and Brian Hoyer last week. That performance made the task of defending Josh Allen, who was undefeated in his previous five games against New England, particularly daunting. While the defense broke more than it bent in the 2nd half against Allen, the quarterback was held under a 100 passer rating and threw an interception. Parter-in-crime Stefon Diggs scored a touchdown on a poorly executed play by the defense but was held under 60 receiving yards on 12 targets.<\/p>\n
Let’s take a look at the film and see how Mac Jones found his groove, where he can improve, and how the defense kept a lid on Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs for most of yesterday’s matchup.<\/p>\n
Mac Jones’ Big Day and What He Needs to Work On\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Mac Jones averaged a time to throw of 2.20 seconds for the second week in a row. His 4.3-yard average depth of target was a career-low, dropping by over a yard from last week’s performance (5.5 yards). The result? Jones’ first game this season without a turnover-worthy throw, his 2nd-lowest pressure rate faced (24.2; 19.4 last week vs. LV), and season-highs in completion percentage (83.3) and yards per attempt (9.1).<\/p>\n New England’s reliance on quick, short throws made life easier on both its quarterback and offensive line, but Jones also adjusted well when the defense took away his first read and got the offense into advantageous plays.<\/p>\n