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If the Zeke Elliott TD wasn't called back on the Hunter Henry hold, the Patriots win that game against the Oakland Raiders (yeah, whatever, they'll always be the Oakland Raider in my grim and insecure world.) We would be in a different frame of mind and looking ahead to a 13-4 romp to the playoffs. Or I would be.
Anyway the Patriots have been flagged 39 times in six games for a total loss of 297 yards (not including the result of the play.) The Patriots are the 11th most penalized team. Interesting that in the games the 1-5 Patriots have played thus far, the opponents have been penalized two more times. The plus 2 in penalties against is right in the middle of the pack in the NFL, so it's not a conspiracy to get us (or is it?)
Anyway, the least penalized team in the league with six games played is the Jacksonville Jaguars with 28 and the most penalized team is the Dallas Cowboys with 46. See This chart from NFLPenalties.
We're so used to a disciplined team that can overcome penalties that two big things are not reflected in the stats, 1) the Patriots make far too many mistakes pre-snap like penalties for motion, delay of game and formations. Those penalties and stupid time outs for too many men on the field are entirely unnecessary and dig holes this team is not good enough to overcome. And, 2) how many times have we seen a good play negated by a holding call, illegal block or lineman downfield that rob a good player a big catch or first down and suck the life out of this team?
So much of the mess is the result of lack of focus. In my experience these problems are shared by the coaches and the players. If this team could play a clean game they can run with anybody. There's no margin for error in 2023.
Anyway the Patriots have been flagged 39 times in six games for a total loss of 297 yards (not including the result of the play.) The Patriots are the 11th most penalized team. Interesting that in the games the 1-5 Patriots have played thus far, the opponents have been penalized two more times. The plus 2 in penalties against is right in the middle of the pack in the NFL, so it's not a conspiracy to get us (or is it?)
Anyway, the least penalized team in the league with six games played is the Jacksonville Jaguars with 28 and the most penalized team is the Dallas Cowboys with 46. See This chart from NFLPenalties.
We're so used to a disciplined team that can overcome penalties that two big things are not reflected in the stats, 1) the Patriots make far too many mistakes pre-snap like penalties for motion, delay of game and formations. Those penalties and stupid time outs for too many men on the field are entirely unnecessary and dig holes this team is not good enough to overcome. And, 2) how many times have we seen a good play negated by a holding call, illegal block or lineman downfield that rob a good player a big catch or first down and suck the life out of this team?
So much of the mess is the result of lack of focus. In my experience these problems are shared by the coaches and the players. If this team could play a clean game they can run with anybody. There's no margin for error in 2023.