Running back ineffectiveness derivates Pats offense in loss
Damien Harris is crucial to the Pats success on the ground.
When a team loses by 2 scores in an NFL game, a common misperception was that the game was a blowout. This week, the Patriots were within 7 points for most of the game until Saints hybrid quarterback Taysom Hill rushed for a game-sealing touchdown in the 4th quarter. The defense may not have stopped the Saints when it mattered, but the fact is that mostly the Patriots' offense failed to do anything.
As with any first-year QB, some things could have been better in Mac Jones’ performance in Week 3. Jones turned the ball over 3 times, including a ball that went right off tight end Jonnu Smith’s hands and right to the Saints defense. Jones threw the ball 51 times against a Saints defense that consistently maintained pressure on the quarterback. Jones may not develop into a top 10 quarterback immediately, so take his performances during his rookie season with a grain of salt.
The loss of James White could hurt the Patriots passing game.
James White was hurt during the game, a monstrous loss for the Patriots. Having White out of the backfield gives Jones another passing option. For the Patriots' backs who stayed on the field, there was not much success on the ground, only rushing for less than 40 yards, with the majority done by Mac Jones. Damien Harris did not see the ball much, and instead, Brandon Bolden, longtime special teamer, was the featured blocking back during the game. A possibility is that Harris’ turnovers the previous week contributed to his lack of time on the field this week, or the Patriots just scrapped the run game early and decided to roll with their best pass-blocking back.
Jones was consistently under pressure the entire game, resulting in the Saints holding the ball for 5 more minutes than the Patriots' offense. The Patriots need to sustain drives, win the turnover battle, and move the ball downfield. We will see if the Pats can do so on Thursday Night Football against former friend Tom Brady and a vaunted Buccaneers defense.
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