{"id":90337,"date":"2021-10-22T01:19:26","date_gmt":"2021-10-22T01:19:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=90337"},"modified":"2021-10-23T22:16:09","modified_gmt":"2021-10-23T22:16:09","slug":"patriots-game-plan-how-mac-jones-continues-momentum-pats-defense-gets-right-vs-jets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/patriots-game-plan-how-mac-jones-continues-momentum-pats-defense-gets-right-vs-jets\/","title":{"rendered":"Patriots Game Plan: How Mac Jones Continues Momentum, Pats Defense Gets Right vs. Jets"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Patriots&#8217; defense needs a get-right game against the New York Jets on Sunday at Gillette Stadium.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-90344\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Screen-Shot-2021-10-21-at-2.17.13-PM-300x193.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"567\" height=\"365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Screen-Shot-2021-10-21-at-2.17.13-PM-300x193.png 300w, https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Screen-Shot-2021-10-21-at-2.17.13-PM-150x96.png 150w, https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Screen-Shot-2021-10-21-at-2.17.13-PM.png 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 567px) 100vw, 567px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Over the last two weeks, Texans quarterback Davis Mills and Dallas\u2019s Dak Prescott lit up New England\u2019s pass defense and hung 51 points on the scoreboard.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Pats need to fix a few key factors to get back to playing good defensive football. First, New England\u2019s pass rush, particularly their blitz package, isn\u2019t generating enough pressure on opposing quarterbacks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Pats have a 33.9% pressure rate when they blitz (18th in NFL). Their pressure rate without blitzing is nearly identical to their blitz pressure percentage (33.7%). When you\u2019re taking defenders out of coverage to send extra rushers but not getting home, that\u2019s a recipe for disaster.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-90337-1\" width=\"788\" height=\"442\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/LambTD-1.mp4?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/LambTD-1.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/LambTD-1.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">We saw that come to fruition at the worst time on the final play in overtime against the Cowboys last week, when New England dialed up a zero blitz that didn\u2019t alter the throw for Dak Prescott (and left cornerback Jalen Mills out-leverage and on an island against CeeDee Lamb).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Patriots\u2019 problems with their pass defense aren\u2019t just related to the pass rush, though, as the coverage in the secondary hasn\u2019t been up to par either in recent weeks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In Houston, Mills exposed New England\u2019s man coverages and an uncharastically poor performance by veteran safety Devin McCourty, mainly on two explosive plays by the Texans. Mills averaged 12.8 yards and added 0.96 expected points per pass against man coverage in Week 5.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-90337-2\" width=\"788\" height=\"450\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/DakExtendedPlay.mp4?_=2\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/DakExtendedPlay.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/DakExtendedPlay.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Then, Prescott followed that up by averaging 13.0 yards and 0.45 expected points per pass against the Patriots\u2019 zone coverages. Above, the Pats try to disguise their zone structure by having safety Adrian Phillips follow the running back outside, leaving Phillips at outside corner. New England then falls into cover-three, with Phillips responsible for the deep third, a position he doesn&#8217;t play often, and he doesn\u2019t get enough depth in his drop to cover Lamb on the broken play.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The good news for Bill Belichick\u2019s defense is that they have the perfect opponent up next in rookie quarterback Zach Wilson and the New York Jets.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Yes, we said something similar about Mills and the Texans. But there is a key difference between Wilson\u2019s playing style and Mills\u2019s that favors New England even more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Houston\u2019s rookie is a good in-structure passer when he gets hot, meaning he functions well from the pocket on rhythm-based throws created by the system the Texans run offensively.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Wilson, on the other hand, thrives out of structure on improvisation plays. The Jets\u2019 first-rounder has excellent arm talent, and he\u2019s a dangerous downfield thrower on the move.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-90337-3\" width=\"788\" height=\"440\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/WilsonBTT.mp4?_=3\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/WilsonBTT.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/WilsonBTT.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Wilson has shown more patience in New York\u2019s last two games, but he\u2019s still hunting for big plays. In Week 4, Wilson upset the Titans in overtime with four big-time throws in the second half, three of which came out of structure with Wilson on the move.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cThe Tennessee game was decided by that [Wilson throwing on the move],\u201d Patriots captain Devin McCourty told CLNS Media this week. \u201cHe [Wilson] rolls and finds Corey Davis. Rolls and finds Keenan Cole. It was really a lot of extended plays and a pass interference. You don\u2019t see a guy get outside the numbers on one side of the field and throw it ten yards out of bounds on the other side of the field [on a throwaway]. That\u2019s not a normal thing to do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Wilson has the second-lowest completion percentage over expected and the second-highest turnover-worthy play rate. The Pats didn\u2019t need to do anything exotic against Wilson the first time around to intercept him four times in the first 35 minutes in Week 2.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-90337-4\" width=\"788\" height=\"461\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/WilsonPatsINT.mp4?_=4\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/WilsonPatsINT.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/WilsonPatsINT.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">But they played tight coverage downfield, forcing Wilson to throw into NFL-sized windows and made him work from a muddied pocket to make him beat them with his weaknesses.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-90337-5\" width=\"788\" height=\"441\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/WilsonATLINT.mp4?_=5\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/WilsonATLINT.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/WilsonATLINT.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Since his first matchup with a Belichick defense, Wilson\u2019s reads and decisions are improving. He\u2019s taking what\u2019s there more often. Still, he\u2019s an inaccurate quarterback that struggles to consistently make good throws from the pocket inside the framework of the offense.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Although the Patriots\u2019 pass defense is struggling, and Wilson is getting better, New England should control the game defensively as long as they don\u2019t get beat on broken plays.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">WHEN THE PATRIOTS HAVE THE BALL\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">After reviewing the Patriots\u2019 win over the Jets in Week 2, the stark difference in aggressiveness for rookie quarterback Mac Jones stood out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In my film review of Jones that week, the overarching theme was that Mac left too many plays on the field because he wasn\u2019t hanging in the pocket and pulling the trigger on downfield throws.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-90337-6\" width=\"788\" height=\"403\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/MissedSpotRead.mp4?_=6\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/MissedSpotRead.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/MissedSpotRead.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Here, Jones has an open Jakobi Meyers for about a ten-yard gain on a \u201cspot\u201d route to the quarterbacks\u2019 right. Instead, he throws to a covered Jonnu Smith in the flat for a small gain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-90337-7\" width=\"788\" height=\"388\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/HHCornerRoute.mp4?_=7\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/HHCornerRoute.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/HHCornerRoute.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In this play, the Jets\u2019 blitz gets home, and Jones bails on his end-zone read to get rid of the ball into the flat. Hunter Henry has his man out-leveraged on the corner route, and Mac could anticipate that throw for six based on the defenses pre-snap alignment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Last week, Jones was four-for-four on passes over 20 yards, aggressively anticipating downfield throws even with pressure in his face (10.5 yards per attempt under pressure in Week 6).<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Jets?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Jets<\/a> HC Robert Saleh or analytical wizard? At today\u2019s presser he went DEEP on their studies of <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/NFL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#NFL<\/a> offenses + what the \u2018kill zone\u2019 is &amp; the balance of explosives vs dink &amp; dunk <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Patriots?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Patriots<\/a> attack: <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/NEvsNYJ?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#NEvsNYJ<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/TakeFlight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#TakeFlight<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/ForeverNE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#ForeverNE<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/tSh7FzwHLP\">pic.twitter.com\/tSh7FzwHLP<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BoyGreen25\/status\/1438936085426548749?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 17, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This week, the Jets\u2019 defensive mindset is to take away explosive plays to force offenses to beat them on short throws with heavy doses of zone coverage (Seattle-3\/cover-4). However, the flip side of that is they\u2019re 28th in DVOA against short passes (under 15 air yards).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">New York\u2019s strength as a defense is their defensive line, which is sixth in pressure rate this season. Putting all those factors together, expect another short, intermediate, and quick passing plan from offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels once again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Looking at a few things that worked last time out, the Pats had success with second-read throws off play-action where in-breaking routes occupied the inside hook zones to open passing lanes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-90337-8\" width=\"788\" height=\"398\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/BourneSecondRead.mp4?_=8\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/BourneSecondRead.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/BourneSecondRead.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Here, Hunter Henry\u2019s crossing route off play-action draws the attention of the two inside zone defenders and opens an easy completion against a bailing outside corner to Kendrick Bourne.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-90337-9\" width=\"788\" height=\"408\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/MeyersHOSS.mp4?_=9\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/MeyersHOSS.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/MeyersHOSS.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Patriots also successfully spread the Jets defense out in empty formations, then dialed up HOSS Z Juke to work the hitch-seam combination against cover-three and the juke series against cover-four.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Atlanta was also successful at attacking the underneath zones in the Jets\u2019 coverages. Ideally, one would hope Mac Jones\u2019s passing chart to look very similar to Matt Ryan\u2019s in Week 5. Ryan completed over 73 percent of his passes and threw for 342 yards with an aDOT of 8.0 (in a 27-20 win).<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-90337-10\" width=\"788\" height=\"440\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ATLSeam.mp4?_=10\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ATLSeam.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ATLSeam.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Falcons flooded New York\u2019s short zones to put defenders in conflict. Here, the zone-dropping linebacker has to respect Cordarrelle Patterson\u2019s underneath hitch, which opens the passing lane to tight end Kyle Pitts up the seam with the safeties playing deep in cover-4.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 788px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-90337-11\" width=\"788\" height=\"441\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ATLVerticalFlood.mp4?_=11\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ATLVerticalFlood.mp4\">https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/ATLVerticalFlood.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Falcons offensive play-caller Arthur Smith also flooded New York\u2019s deep zones by releasing multiple vertical routes downfield. In this play, both tight ends release vertically up the right sideline, and the outside corner has to carry Pitts\u2019s route until he breaks on the post, which makes him late to cover the fade by Hayden Hurst.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-90343\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Screen-Shot-2021-10-21-at-2.17.29-PM-300x111.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"530\" height=\"196\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Screen-Shot-2021-10-21-at-2.17.29-PM-300x111.png 300w, https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Screen-Shot-2021-10-21-at-2.17.29-PM-150x56.png 150w, https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Screen-Shot-2021-10-21-at-2.17.29-PM-450x167.png 450w, https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Screen-Shot-2021-10-21-at-2.17.29-PM.png 527w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 530px) 100vw, 530px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Atlanta torched the Jets&#8217; defense by throwing passes out of two-tight end sets, with Ryan averaging 9.1 yards and 0.16 expected points per pass play.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Offenses are finding the most success with shorter passes to tight ends and inside receivers against the Jets defense, which feeds directly into the strength of the Patriots\u2019 offense.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Given the upward trajectory of New England\u2019s passing attack in recent weeks, Mac Jones and the Pats offense should continue to build momentum against the Jets defense.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">KEY MATCHUPS\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">1. Pats Offensive Tackles vs. Jets DE John Franklin-Meyers\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Franklin-Meyers is arguably the best player on the Jets\u2019 roster, and who knows who will be at tackle for the Patriots this week. Franklin-Meyers has good length, too, which is giving the Pats\u2019 smaller tackles like Isaiah Wynn issues this season. Jets head coach Robert Saleh moves Franklin-Meyers inside at times as well. But he\u2019s the kind of pass-rusher who can take over a game if New England\u2019s offensive line struggles again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">2. Pats LB Josh Uche vs. Jets RG Greg Van Roten<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Although they\u2019re not as hyped as teams\u2019 with better records, the Jets\u2019 offensive line has quietly turned things around this season, and the Pats need to improve their pass rush. According to PFF, the Jets are 14th in pass-blocking grade and eighth in run-blocking grade. Plus, their starting tackles Fant (left) and Moses (right) are grading out in the top-half among OTs. Rookie Alijah Vera-Tucker is having a strong first season in the NFL, while center Connor McGovern is solid. If there\u2019s one area to expose, it\u2019s at right guard, where Greg Van Roten is struggling. Uche had two sacks in Week 2 rushing on Van Roten. Expect to see that matchup again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">3. Pats CB J.C. Jackson vs. Jets WR Corey Davis\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Jackson wasn\u2019t exclusively on Davis in the first matchup, but the Pats\u2019 CB dominated when he was on Davis (one target, INT). Based on what we saw, Jackson used a mirroring\/trail technique rather than physical press-man and seemed to have a good feel for the types of routes Davis was running. Outside of his lackluster stat-line against the Pats, Davis is averaging 73.5 receiving yards per game and is Wilson\u2019s go-target on big plays. Wilson can\u2019t possibly play worse than in Week 2, so this might be more of a back-and-forth between Jackson and Davis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">4. Pats CB Jon Jones &amp; Myles Bryant vs. Jets WR Jamison Crowder\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Patriots didn\u2019t see Jamison Crowder the last time they faced the Jets, but he\u2019s healthy now. Crowder is a legit chain-mover out of the slot, who gets open quickly in his breaks to make life easier on his quarterback. If Jon Jones can\u2019t go, the Pats will likely rely on backup slot CB Myles Bryant against a pro in Crowder. I would expect Jets OC Mike LaFleur to test Bryant.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">5. Pats TEs Hunter Henry &amp; Jonnu Smith vs. Jets LBs and Safeties\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">New York plays zone coverage on 70% of their defensive snaps, so narrowing it down to one coverage player here isn\u2019t it. This should be the week that Henry and Smith both have featured roles in the passing game, and we finally see the duo take off. Henry is on a nice run of late, but Smith continues to be a disappointment, mainly because he&#8217;s only running routes on 30.5% of the Pats&#8217; passing plays. We saw what Atlanta did out of 12 personnel. It\u2019s time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Patriots&#8217; defense needs a get-right game against the New York Jets on Sunday at Gillette Stadium. Over the last two weeks, Texans quarterback Davis Mills and Dallas\u2019s Dak Prescott lit up New England\u2019s pass defense and hung 51 points on the scoreboard. The Pats need to fix a few key factors to get back<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":131993,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[47,3539],"tags":[207,388,209,210,5796,495],"class_list":["post-90337","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nfl","category-nfl-featured-banner","tag-bill-belichick","tag-jets","tag-mac-jones","tag-patriots","tag-robert-saleh","tag-zach-wilson"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Patriots Game Plan: How Mac Jones Continues Momentum, Pats Defense Gets Right vs. Jets - CLNS Media<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Patriots&#039; defense needs a get-right game against the New York Jets and rookie quarterback Zach Wilson at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/patriots-game-plan-how-mac-jones-continues-momentum-pats-defense-gets-right-vs-jets\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Patriots Game Plan: How Mac Jones Continues Momentum, Pats Defense Gets Right vs. Jets - 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