Patriots
Some questionable play-calling in the first half cost the Patriots points, and maybe the game.
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Jerod Mayo offers blunt assessment of Patriots’ offensive line after Seahawks loss
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Jacoby Brissett responds to DeMario Douglas’ frustration over lack of touches
COMMENTARY
It wasn’t the egregious, overtime pass interference call on New England cornerback Jonathan Jones that ultimately led the Patriots to fall in their home opener at Gillette Stadium on Sunday. Nor was it rookie head coach Jerod Mayo’s flustered decision to punt, following a curious selection of offensive plays, in overtime.
It wasn’t Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith and DK Metcalf hooking up on a 56-yard touchdown pass thanks to blown coverage on New England’s part in the first half. Nor should you blame Seahawks safety Julian Love for blocking New England’s Joey Slye’s 48-yard field goal attempt in the fourth quarter.
There was plenty that went wrong for the Patriots in their follow-up to the victorious shocker they pulled off in Cincinnati a week ago. New England’s presumed weaknesses all showed up in Game 2: poor offensive line play, forcing quarterback Jacoby Brissett to run for his life and take a beating that is probably going to make the Drake Maye truthers get their wish sooner than later. Thus, the passing game was nonexistent. Brissett wound up only finding two wide receivers — JaLynn Polk, who scored the first touchdown of the game, and K.J. Osborn, who only added to his stat sheet late in the game — on the afternoon.
But despite all the little mistakes the 1-1 Patriots made against the Seahawks, no incident…