MORSE: 15 Observations from a Game the Patriots Should Have Won

This was a game the Patriots should have won. They shot themselves in the foot again with five trips into the Red Zone and they came away with just 2 TDs.

Penalties were a big problem again as they were hit with 7 penalties for 88 yards. Michael Onwenu’s holding call took away a TD and that was followed up with Layden Robinson hold to push them out of the Red Zone. They settled for a FG, and 4 lost points (difference in the game). I will say the Officials were pretty bad. A hold on Robinson and later on Jacobs, were not holding. They had their arms around the Colts player, but they were not impeding them nor were they holding their jerseys. An illegal procedure call against Pop Douglas took away another score by Bourne. Problem is they called him for not being set. He is not required to stop and be set. On the next play Henry drops the TD pass into the hands of the Colts in the endzone. Later in the game, on the final TD, the Colts receiver in motion turns upfield before the ball is snapped and no call. They also missed a facemask against Alec Pierce on Gonzalez INT.
Drake Maye was outstanding today. He was 24 of 30 for 238 yards passing, a TD and that INT which was not his fault. The TD pass to Austin Hooper was a beautiful throw. Maye even had Ja’Lynn Polk in the endzone.
The Patriots ran for 200 yards with big games from Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson. I called for more use of Gibson last week and he delivered this week when he got more of an opportunity. Gibson ran 7 times for 62 yards for a 8.9 average. Stevenson was 18 for 73 yards and a 4.1 average.
After the Gonzo interception, AVP got conservative and when they needed to run the ball they couldn’t.
Slye’s missed chip shot Field Goal at the end of the 1^st half is inexcusable. We should have a new kicker next week.
Jerod Mayo’s inexperience cost the Patriots another win this week. He made a good challenge on the Drake Maye scramble for a 1^st down. Later he didn’t challenge a catch by Mallory late in the 4^th Quarter. He also didn’t call any timeouts when the Colts were driving down the field. That was a 19-play drive. The Defense was tired. Why didn’t he call a timeout after the TD to get your jumbo package in to prevent a QB run on the 2point conversion.
Kyle Dugger can’t play DB. A matchup of Alec Pierce on Dugger is a layup. Dugger needs to be benched.
Jabrill Peppers made a big impact with his 9 Tackles and one for a loss. Need to give Marcus Jones and Alex Austin credit for big pass breakups.
Austin was called for Pass Interference when they should have flagged Michael Pittman for Offensive Pass Interference. The only reason that Pittman was anywhere near open was the push off.
Hunter Henry needs to hold onto that ball in the end zone. Another game changing play. This is a broken record. They can’t make these mistakes and despite them, they had a chance.
Kayshon Boutte had a nice catch for the two-point conversion. Going for two was the right decision.
Mayo said in his post-game press conference that he didn’t know what the percentages were for making a 68-yard FG versus trying a Hail-Mary. Even I knew that no one in the league had made a 68-yard Field Goal. I learned the NFL Record 66-yard FG by Justin Tucker was indoors. Joey Slye hit the ball well and I thought it might have a chance, but it was just short.
Patriots had 422 of total Offense to the Colts 253 yards. They won the Time of Possession 34:12 to 25:48, and they won the turnover battle 2-1. Very few teams lose when they have these stats.
Why wasn’t Indy flagged for targeting on the Helmet to Helmet hit on Hunter Henry?
Marcus Jones continues to lead the league in Punt Returns averaging 15.5 yards per return on his two returns. When Bryce Baringer needed to make a big kick, he choked and got off only a 38-yarder.

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About Mark Morse

Merrimack Valley native and lifelong fan of the New England Patriots. My earliest memories of the Patriots were attending as a child with my dad, the off-season practice at Phillips Academy. I was at the Patriots game at Harvard Stadium in 1970 where Bob “Harpo” Gladieux was called out of the stands by the stadium announcer over the PA to play in the game. Analyzing the draft since ESPN first started to televise it in 1980 and former writer for the Lowell Sun Newspaper.

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