PostGame Thread 2023 Week 2: Patriots Lose to Dolphins 24-17

[obgod3]

I'm not as invested anymore, watched that 20 years of greatness knowing we will never see that again. Even KC wont have that. I also watched the 80's and 90's of frustration. Guess we are back to that but honestly I don't care much. However, the offensive line cant block for the run game, Mac on that last play had a defender in his face, I mean the most important play and they cant block...this team is going to win maybe 2-3 games this year. It's too bad but that's my opinion.

 

[TheRazorsEdge]

Never thought I'd be yearning for Tyquan Thronton to return.

Here we are though.

 

[mike_usagisan]

If it doesn't get better, they're going to have to do something ahead of the deadline, and it may require giving up something meaningful to get it. That may be a decision they'll have to make if the right guy is available, especially if it's a Welker-esque type of situation where they can potentially extend that person and keep them in the fold for the long term.

It seems like Evans down in TB and Higgins in Cincy aren't in those teams' plans after this season. But you'd have to give up a lot to get them and then give them a big salary on top. That's not the Pats' M.O.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

It all boils down to injuries. If we were reasonably healthy, we at least split these games if not win them both. You can't be trotting out multiple O lineman that are taking their first NFL snaps, or haven't taken a snap this year, and have never played with their teammates, against 2 of the best teams in the league. We can't generate our running game because of it. The only silver lining is we're developing some quality depth - the rookies all over the roster have learned to swim after getting thrown into the deep end of the pool.

 

[Ian]

It seems like Evans down in TB and Higgins in Cincy aren't in those teams' plans after this season. But you'd have to give up a lot to get them and then give them a big salary on top. That's not the Pats' M.O.

Hasn't been, but it may have to be if they can also at least structure the deals where they make some sense. They squandered that opportunity a bit considering they had Mac on a rookie deal. But obviously, financially beyond this season, there's at least going to be some room beyond this year if they can make it work.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

RE: home field noise…honestly, crowd needs a reason to believe before they get into it. Just don’t know that the team has enough to get a crowd excited. Gotta have a reason to cheer. This offense is tough to watch.

And defense is same old thing…front runners who give up a back breaking play at the worst time.

That last TD run was SO on time for this squad.

Dolphins O-line isn’t great and they looked great last night.

 

[Ian]

It all boils down to injuries. If we were reasonably healthy, we at least split these games if not win them both. You can't be trotting out multiple O lineman that are taking their first NFL snaps, or haven't taken a snap this year, and have never played with their teammates, against 2 of the best teams in the league. We can't generate our running game because of it. The only silver lining is we're developing some quality depth - the rookies all over the roster have learned to swim after getting thrown into the deep end of the pool.

I think last week was their best chance. If they could have run the ball last week, I think they could have gotten that one. Last night, with the injuries, it was amazing they even got back into it given how things were playing out. And that required the blocked field goal and an unreal interception by Gonzalez to even make that happen.

 

[Ian]

RE: home field noise…honestly, crowd needs a reason to believe before they get into it. Just don’t know that the team has enough to get a crowd excited. Gotta have a reason to cheer. This offense is tough to watch.

And defense is same old thing…front runners who give up a back breaking play at the worst time.

That last TD run was SO on time for this squad.

Dolphins O-line isn’t great and they looked great last night.

That was brutal. Haven't had a chance to go back and look at that play, but that was surprising given that they really hadn't done something like that prior to that point.

 

[jdlboot14]

With all the disaster of the OL turnstile - which causes the pitiful run game - which allows pass rush/coverage to be so aggressive... you have to see that Mac handled it really well overall.

1. The TD to Henry was exactly what Mahomes threw to Kelce last year and the media played it all year - as the essence of the best QB in the world. That was an amazingly athletic, and clutch play.
2. Mac was overall decisive and quick - in the short game. Clearly the deep shots weren't working. And the force back shoulder to Parker was a bad mistake. But, what did have? He took what he had.
3. Mac had several throws on the run, the attempt to Gesicki was great IMO. You gotta take those shots. He hit Parker in the middle on one that was legit elite.

Problem is the mediocrity of our playmakers. When you IR TT, and bench Pop, and deactivate Boutte... you only have bigger slow guys.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

That was brutal. Haven't had a chance to go back and look at that play, but that was surprising given that they really hadn't done something like that prior to that point.

LB got caught inside, and safety was out of position cheating to the outside. D line was blown up.

Dolphins had been running that outside stretch play a bunch, and it appeared the D lost discipline and started cheating that way.

Good play call by Dolphins.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

Another observation: Bourne is not good with deep balls

 

[Guts]

 

[Ian]

I still blame the red hoodie.

 

[Steve102]

*sigh*

I hate the final 4th and 4 decision by Mac to take the out to Gesicki. He doesn't get enough on the ball and Gesicki has to step up one step inside the sticks, and then makes an inside move, kind of, which cost him more ground. I really want to see the all 22 on this play, because it looks like Parker has his guy beat when he gets out of frame. My whole point is Mac needed to throw the ball to a better, deeper spot of he is going to go to Gesicki, which it looks like he's locked on for whatever reason. He's gotta throw it past the sticks, and he's short. Maybe it's on Gesicki to get deeper, but it looks like Mac didn't give him enough to work with.



This is what folks are referring to, IMO, when they talk about signature wins. Mac's QB performance is likely described as "fine" or "adequate". Neither of those things are good enough without dynamic playmakers to help take the pressure off. Either way, taking the safe throw short of the sticks doesn't help them win. Mac's gotta be better.

Curmudgeon old Bill benches his most dynamic guy after a turn over. Didn't bench Zeke last week, however. Back to sending messages instead of winning football games. Shades of footgate. Not saying that if Douglas plays the whole game they'd win, but he's not helping redeem himself by sitting the pine.

 

[A Defiant Goose]

My main thoughts after this game is that I still have faith that Mac Jones can be "the guy" and our weapons are actually good enough, but what we really need is an elite offensive line. Seems time and time again we are just taking sacks or Mac is forced to rush the pass on these go-ahead drives. I know, EVERY team would be better with an elite OL. But I guess my point is if you give me a choice between elite OL play and average receivers vs elite WRs and average OL, I think Mac would perform better with the former.

Still plenty of time to figure things out and get healthy on the line, I still think this team is a wildcard contender, and I think they're really going to ramp things up once we get into October

 

[Dr. Mind Flayer]

Same ****, different week. Down 2+ scores early then they try to play catch up the rest of the game and as usual, its too little too late.

 

[Grogan14]

Hasn't been, but it may have to be if they can also at least structure the deals where they make some sense. They squandered that opportunity a bit considering they had Mac on a rookie deal. But obviously, financially beyond this season, there's at least going to be some room beyond this year if they can make it work.

This year is not the year to make that kind of trade. We are in full rebuild mode and should be sellers

 

[turkeyneck]

Never thought I'd be yearning for Tyquan Thronton to return.

Here we are though.

Trouble is, to get the best of TT, i.e., long ball strikes, the OL needs to keep Mac clean long enough for BoneyT to get downfield. Mac's on the ground inside of 3 seconds. We desperately need the OL to get healthy and to get into sync.

 

[upstater1]

I never once said Mac over Tua, that's first of all. I stated he actually had a better QB rating than Tua w weapons in this game.

I also acknowledge his bad throws but there were plenty of good plays he made today while being rushed as well.

And he actually did make a pretty good throw off his back foot late in this game....

I seen him 2 times now so far come back from playing like crap. That was last week.

And moved the team late in today's game twice.

He's not Zac Wilson...if u wanna compare QBs.

Would u rather Z.Wilson or Mac?

I am not saying Mac is our future QB, but blaming the dude for everything and never talking about other factors at all is wild to me, and just a cheap hot take that is gonna keep being brought up the minute the kid as much as trips on a play.

I've witheld judgement for 2 years + now.

It's time to see the repeated patterns.

It is not changing.

We have enough evidence.

The very idea that this is some knee-jerk reaction is preposterous.

 

[archstanton543]

This year is not the year to make that kind of trade. We are in full rebuild mode and should be sellers

Nah, they're not in full rebuild. Not even close. They're trying to rebuild and compete and not succeeding at either.