Post Bye week - How to fix Red zone offense

[SacPete1]

I think improving offensive creativity with plays like quarterback rolling out or using RPOs would help some. I don't think the D sees Drake as a threat inside the 10 so they don't account for him. That needs to change. Drake also needs to find a chemistry with the Oline on sneaks. Brady was Mr Auto on sneks regardless of the D knowing it was coming. Drake needs to figure that out. He seems to be going too high as Brady was diving much lower.

Totally agree with this.

I think they will continue to work on what they've been doing but I think come playoff time when they really need those RZ plays, we'll see Drake run a boot or RPO. His running ability is mostly used off script right now but its too good a skill not to use intentionally when the chips are down.

 

[NovaScotiaPatsFan]

The Eagles O-Line has played badly and their run game is 22nd in the league, but they have an elite power RB and they use Hurts' running ability plus the tush push advantage to have the #1 red zone offense in the league, and by a whopping margin.

If I were Josh I'd be watching lots of Eagles film over the bye week.

 

[Patsfan1645]

I feel like we have two plays inside the 5. The tried and true first down play call......the dreaded draw or a fade to the corner pass. We become rather one dimensional and the defenses knows what to expect. We need more options. Whether it be some trickery, more window dressing, expanding the play calls, different personnel or possibly plays that give Maye more options to work his magic.

 

[PP2]

OL and WR/TE's are not good at run blocking, forcing the Pats to throw. Rham and Henderson are constantly meeting defenders when they get the ball because nobody can sustain a block.

Boutte certainly made a nice grab early in the game. Henry should've caught the ball later in the game.

That is also what I am seeing. The defense loads the box because they know our OL can't run block efficiently, Mondre isn't 100% yet (in other words: we don't have a true power back who can drag people with them). More importantly we don't have WRs who can win jump balls, so they load the box not just to stop the run but to sit on all the short routes.

And speaking of which: the other issue is that while Drake is elite when it comes to just firing that ball down the field, he does have issues throwing into a phone booth. Hopefully he will work on this issue in the coming years but it's not going away overnight.

I don't agree that the red zone issues can't be solved right now, this season. McD certainly has the brains to scheme a lot better, and I actually believe that he's purposely waiting until the bye to do it. Not just because he has the time to install, but also to bushwhack the Bills with stuff they haven't seen on tape all season. After all, it's a hats and t-shirts game.

One way or another if this team wants to get somewhere, it must solve its RZ woes because Denver has the #1 RZ defense and both the Bills and Chiefs are in the top 10, IIRC.

 

[Toofy]

And speaking of which: the other issue is that while Drake is elite when it comes to just firing that ball down the field, he does have issues throwing into a phone booth. Hopefully he will work on this issue in the coming years but it's not going away overnight.

I think you hit the nail on the head . I just feel maye does not trust his firing throws into tight windows which is what happens in red zone. You move out the pocket , find a open receive and laser it there.

We are doing drawed runs or over shoulder corner pass like the one that Boutte caught. Maye throws only when nobody is there next to receiver or it's single man to man coverage where he is confident the taller wr or te can out- muscle . If there is a slightest possibility for someone to slide or intercept in those tight windows , we are not even attempting those throws. Brady, mahomes burrow and Josh are masters of it . We just don't seem to have that in playbook. That seems a weakness to me.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

While they are working on red zone offense, they need to work on red zone defense. While Pats aren't giving up many points, their red zone defense is worst in the league at 73%.
NFL Football Stats - NFL Team Opponent Red Zone Scoring Percentage (TD only) | TeamRankings.com
Luckily the other teams aren't getting many red zone opportunities
Throw in offensive short yardage situations and they have something to work on because they will need all 3 (RZ offense, RZ defense and short yardage) if they want to keep playing deep into January or February.

 

[mgteich]

Luckily the other teams aren't getting many red zone opportunities

You think that this happens because of luck?

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

You think that this happens because of luck?

Poor choice of words on my part, residue of design, good defense is why they don't give up many opponents RZ chances.

 

[Gumby]

Burton-Ernie Talk Patriots was all over the goal-line situation; as far as 'play calling' - poor execution side.
At 5:00+ they talk pulling Guard-NoNo and 6:00 - 7:15 they talk about OL being hip-on-hip and them giving up creases to the D - comparison to Filthadelphia.

 

[BobDigital]

I would usually talk about things I'd like this team to work on for the bye week. But honestly I believe rest is the most important thing.

But if they can get an extra day in... Red zone should be the focus. There are other things too but they pale in comparison in importance.

 

[p8ryts]

Pats in theory have quick guys that can get open: Diggs, Douglas, Henderson. Mack Hollins has some size, but they definitely lack that bonafide RZ target. Still, with Maye under center they should be much better finishing drives. Josh and company have two weeks to figure it out.

I support giving the QB some options on the edge. Or just go 5 wide and spread them out. Your best asset is the QB, don't waste him handing off up the middle.

 

[Real fan 02]

I support giving the QB some options on the edge. Or just go 5 wide and spread them out. Your best asset is the QB, don't waste him handing off up the middle.

Earlier in the season seems designed runs were being called in the red zone but last few weeks not so much seemingly.. that would really help getting the issues resolved..

Also this offense makes alot of deep pass plays that go for TD'S like the throw to Williams Monday night.. was also a 3 yard pass to Boutte in the red zone.

 

[Triumph]

Im fine with taking measures to improve Redzone Offense next year.

In the 2025 postseason.

McDaniels hasnt run any trick plays like the fake Brady snap over his head that always worked at the goal line. I surmise that he has some plays that we will see in the near future.

 

[Wozzy]

The same way you fix the zone coverage issues
at large… fix or improve the communication back there.

That’s how zone works. Good team defense is about trust and everyone knowing their assignments before the snap.

 

[Wozzy]

The Eagles O-Line has played badly and their run game is 22nd in the league, but they have an elite power RB and they use Hurts' running ability plus the tush push advantage to have the #1 red zone offense in the league, and by a whopping margin.

If I were Josh I'd be watching lots of Eagles film over the bye week.

I also think opponents are selling out to stop the run. They’re daring Hurts to throw and would rather have him beat them than Saquon.

 

[Real fan 02]

The same way you fix the zone coverage issues
at large… fix or improve the communication back there.

That’s how zone works. Good team defense is about trust and everyone knowing their assignments before the snap.

We have quick strike ability with Drake. As evidenced with the pass to K. Williams for a score. So we can put up points faster than in years past. In a sense the red zone woes are a bit deceiving.. it's really goal line situations that have been an issue that can be resolved.

 

[Wozzy]

We have quick strike ability with Drake. As evidenced with the pass to K. Williams for a score. So we can put up points faster than in years past. In a sense the red zone woes are a bit deceiving.. it's really goal line situations that have been an issue that can be resolved.

Practice practice practice… the defense hasn’t been good in the redzone either, they just don’t let opponents in the redzone often.

 

[PatsFan2]

It's been anemic over the last few weeks . We just don't seem to have any answers unless josh feels he might need to pull into bag of tricks during playoff time to get this moving.

Without run offense is there no hope for red zone offense for us.

Brady used to throw those lasers. I hardly see Maye do those . Is that a weakness in his armory. Short yardage tracer passes ?

Need to find a solve before the playoffs start. Without that we would be a goner against other high profile offenses.

Need H Henry and Hooper in the RZ: we need those Big Bodies. Also our RB's should factor in the passing game there too.

 

[Ring 6]

His point, the correct point, by the way, is that the problem will not be resolved this year.

He answered “yes Tyler lindenbaum” to a question about can we grab someone on a practice squad.
Not sure where you culled his point from out of that.

 

[PatsFan2]

We have quick strike ability with Drake. As evidenced with the pass to K. Williams for a score. So we can put up points faster than in years past. In a sense the red zone woes are a bit deceiving.. it's really goal line situations that have been an issue that can be resolved.

I was watching JT O'Sullivan's breakdown on Maye and he said that pass to KW could have been earlier. KW Dusted that DB off LOS but we have seen Maye constantly put the Football only where only his Guys can get it.