The Patriots could have easily been 2-0 this with several chances to close out a tough, hard-fought game with Seattle. But they let too many chances get away from them and had no answers for Seattle’s passing game. And they went down in OT after an excellent drive by Geno Smith that ended with a field goal to take it.
The loss was costly, as Ja’Whaun Bentley suffered a pec injury and is probably lost for the season. They will miss Bentley, a defensive captain and leader on and off the field. He is a downhill thumper who has gradually worked himself into being an invaluable member of the defense.
The Patriots are tough and physical and have no quit in them, but as good as they are running the football and stopping the run, their passing game does not utilize the wide receivers or get a pass rush on opposing quarterbacks. The pass protection is still poor, and it has already taken a toll on quarterback Jacoby Brissett. Brissett was in obvious pain several times in the game, and although he gutted through this, he needs to improve in finding the wide receivers.
There is a lot of work to do, but this is a very short week and they play in NJ against the Jets on Thursday Night Football.
So, here are our grades this week for the Patriots-Seahawks game.
Quarterback: C
Jacoby Brissett needs to get the wide receivers more involved in the passing game, especially Demario Douglas. And he has admitted that. After watching the All-22 tape from the Seahawks game, he was open. Brissett should be able to recognize it and find him.
However, on the other hand, it is hard to find much fault with Brissett when you consider the pressure he’s been under. The pass protection has not been good, and he’s taken some really hard shots. A few times in Cincinnati and at home against Seattle, there was doubt that he’d be able to get up.
Running Backs: A
Rhamondre Stevenson And Antonio Gibson were both outstanding on Sunday. Stevenson carried 21 times for 81 yards and a TD. While Gibson carried 11 times for 96 yards and added a reception in only 14 snaps.
Halfway through the fourth quarter, Gibson took a pitch from Brissett and shook a tackle in the backfield, then raced 45 yards down the left sideline to set up the Patriots deep inside Seattle territory. The Patriots were up by three, and a touchdown would have iced the game. However, Brissett took a sack, and the field goal was blocked. But the running backs got them there.
Wide Receivers: D
The wide receivers were put on a milk carton; whether by the excellent Seattle secondary, by Brissett missing them when they were open, or a combination of both, something needs to change.
Only two of New England’s wide receivers had catches on Sunday, and as a group, they had the stat line of three catches for 19 yards and a touchdown. The score was Ja’Lynn Polk’s first in the NFL.
They didn’t factor in the game last week either, but the fact they were ahead softened that somewhat. But in yesterday’s game, just a few plays would have been the difference between winning and losing. It has to change soon. Douglas was visibly frustrated at his lack of a role on Monday.
Tight Ends: A-
Hunter Henry had a career day, catching eight passes for 109 yards. It was the most yards he’s had in a single game in his career. And it was the second 100-yard game in his career.
He accounted for 73 percent of the Patriots passing yardage in the game. Austin Hooper added a catch for five yards.
Offensive Line: C+
The offensive line was akin to a “Tale of Two Cities”… “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” The offensive line gashed the Seattle defense for 185 yards rushing and 5.1 yards per rush. Those were the best of times.
However, the pass protection continues to be shoddy, with Brissett taking too many hits and too much pressure to look down the field, which ties in with AVP’s offensive philosophy. The three sacks allowed can be misleading, as the pressure was constant.
They need a much better effort on TNF against the Jets.
Defensive Line: B
Keion White had another big game as he produced 1.5 sacks, seven tackles, two QB hits, and a tackle for loss (TFL). He now has four sacks through the first two games. His star continues to rise.
The front seven stifled the Seattle ground game, limiting them to just 46 yards on 19 rushing attempts (2.4 yards per carry). This was an excellent job, but they didn’t generate much pass rush other than White. And it hurt because Geno Smith was far too comfortable in the pocket, as his stats show.
Linebackers: B
The linebackers lost Ja’Whaun Bentley in the first quarter, and now we’ve learned that he’s gone for the season, which is a huge blow. The same issue plagues the linebackers as with the defensive line.
They are getting zero push in the pass rush department and Smith sat back in the pocket and picked them apart. Josh Uche has to step up. He’s a designated pass rusher. Its still early, but this is something he should expected to do as a veteran on the team.
The linebackers did a great job in the rush defense. Anfernee Jennings and Raekwon McMillan each had seven tackles. McMillan had a QB hit, and he may be called on to blitz up the A-gaps to get pressure on the opposing QB. Perhaps as early as Thursday night.
Secondary: C-
Smith picked on the secondary, completing 33 of 44 passes for 327 yards and a touchdown. Wide receivers DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba dominated, combining for 22 catches for 246 yards and a touchdown.
It began on Seattle’s second drive when Smith recognized a zero blitz coming and gestured to Metcalf. But Kyle Dugger and Christian Gonzalez were caught flat-footed staring at the QB, and Metcalf blew right by them for an easy 56-yard touchdown.
That made the Patriots hesitant to do it again. They went back to it late in the game, and once again, Seattle made them pay with a pass to Zach Charbonnet for a first down.
Was this one bad game, or is the secondary suddenly susceptible? We’ll see on Thursday. But the lack of pass rush did them no favors.
Special Teams: B
The ST units were having another good game when disaster struck. Joey Slye’s field goal attempt late in the game was blocked. Seattle overloaded one side, and Austin Hooper blocked the outside man, leaving the inside man a clear path to the kick. It wasn’t Slye’s fault.
Marcus Jones had another good punt return, and Bryce Barringer had a very good day, averaging 57 yards on six punts with three inside the 20.
Coaches: C
Mike MacDonald and the Seattle staff outcoached the coaching staff in some key moments. Jerod Mayo admitted that Seattle made better adjustments, especially at crunch time than the Patriots.
But what was especially worrying was that the Patriots, on both offense and defense, believed that they were tipping some of their plays when Brissett wanted to throw deep and when the defense wanted to come after Smith (zero blitz).
If they were showing a tell for Seattle, that needs to get rooted out and fixed asap.
We’re on to NJ and the J-E-T-S…
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A former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)
