Run Blocking Receiver?
N’Keal Harry was a run-blocking force on the outside for the Patriots against the Browns in Week 10.
Receivers are often criticized for not accumulating receiving yards in bunches. However, what never shows up in the stat sheet is a critical piece of run-centered offenses. Receivers are never known for their blocking ability, but it plays a crucial role in the formation of a team’s run blocking. Teams can’t run to the outside if not for adequate run blocking, from every skill-player.
N’Keal Harry has been heavily undermined over the past few seasons because of a lack of receiving volume. The former first round pick was expected by many to be a large deep threat with the central ability to make contested catches, or a poor man’s Julio Jones. Instead, Harry has had a turbulent NFL career that led many to think he would be off the Patriots roster. Week 10 in the NFL threw that theory out the window after Harry had a tremendous run blocking game against the Cleveland Browns. The Browns corners are known for their speed, tackling, and coverage skills, but N’Keal continuously shut them down in the run game this past Sunday. N’Keal Harry may not be the flashiest receiver on the Patriots, but he is carving out an important role that their coaches prioritize.
The Patriots offense can find ways to win, but not as effective, when they don’t have a running game. The Patriots were without Damien Harris against the Browns, but Rhamondre Stevenson stepped up and rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns, even though he did not practice during the week. Brandon Bolden also played a factor in the run and pass. The Patriots got as much as they could from each of their Running Backs and it showed up in the stat sheet.
The first Browns drive aside, everything went right for the Patriots. The defense created turnovers and stopped the Browns from scoring throughout the entire game. Meanwhile Mac Jones continued to showcase his emergence in the NFL with the 1st three touchdown performance of his young career. Kendrick Bourne located a perfect throw from Jones to haul in a touchdown in between two defenders. Jakobi Meyers can’t be forgotten from that game as he scored his first NFL receiving touchdown despite having more than 120 career NFL catches. All in all, it felt like a prototypical Patriots victory from the 2010s where the Patriots branded their football skills on the opposing team.
Next up for the Patriots is the Atlanta Falcons, who looked miserable in their loss to the Cowboys. Anything can happen in the NFL, but if the Patriots don’t win their next game, it would be a bad look for a team that is starting to show they’re one of the better teams in the NFL. It hasn’t come easy, but this is shaping up to be the start of a promising run for the Patriots in the Mac Jones era.
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