New England Patriots
Take this as a plea for endurance if you would like.
Welcome to the Unconventional Assessment, an on the spot response to standouts, stats, and story traces from the Patriots’ most up-to-date recreation …
Via three video games of the Mike Vrabel period, the Patriots have one win, two losses, and an absurd record of self-inflicted regrets and if-onlys.
The Patriots may have, and doubtless ought to have, overwhelmed hit-averse Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers on Sunday afternoon. However they turned over the soccer 5 instances, in some way didn’t get well any of their 4 fumbles, and lost, 21-14.
“[The turnovers] erase all the good stuff you do,’’ sighed Vrabel
As exasperating as this loss was after winning in Miami last Sunday regardless of committing 12 penalties, it doesn’t change the outlook on the season. The Patriots ought to end round .500, and so they would possibly even have one thing good right here if they’ll cease messing up in nearly darkly comical style.
Drake Maye, who accomplished 28 of 37 passes for 268 yards, two touchdowns, and a crushing interception, fluctuates in efficiency and confidence like nearly each younger quarterback within the historical past of the league.
When he’s on, he’s a blast to observe — the expertise is so clear — and if he can progress alongside that studying curve, this season might be rather more enjoyable because the weeks go.
Take this as a plea for endurance if you would like. Sunday’s loss coulda/shoulda been a win, if it wasn’t so full of blunders on the worst doable time. I’m trying ahead to what the Patriots might be as soon as Vrabel will get them to cease beating themselves.
Some additional ideas, upon speedy overview …
Three gamers who had been price watching
Gamers prompt within the Unconventional Preview: T.J. Watt, Robert Spillane, Jabrill Peppers.
Robert Spillane: Mike Vrabel likes to speak about resilience, and whereas it would get misplaced within the many frustrations of the day, it have to be famous that Spillane’s efficiency was the image of resilience given how final Sunday went for him.
Spillane was downright wonderful towards the Steelers, ending with a Steve Nelson-like 15 tackles (10 solo), together with six within the first quarter.
After lacking 5 tackles and getting left greedy at air repeatedly by Dolphins speedster De’Von Achane, Spillane spearheaded a protection that tackled significantly better whereas holding the Steelers operating recreation to 64 yards on 26 makes an attempt.
Cameron Heyward: How lengthy has this man been tormenting offensive traces?
The Steelers took him within the first spherical of the 2011 NFL Draft. The Patriots’ first-round decide that 12 months was sort out Nate Solder, who had an extended, superb profession … and has been retired for 4 years. Solely three different gamers from that draft — Von Miller, Cam Jordan, and Tyrod Taylor — stay energetic.
But Heyward, now 36 years outdated, continues to be a menace. The four-time All-Professional (together with final season) had a hand in forcing two devastating Patriots blunders.
He tipped Drake Maye’s go late within the second quarter, barely altering the flight path of what ended up as a Brandin Echols interception. And it was Heyward who pried the ball unfastened from Rhamondre Stevenson when he regarded ticketed for the top zone early within the third quarter.
Hunter Henry: A dependable tight finish is a valued good friend to a younger quarterback, and Henry has been that with the Patriots, first for Mac Jones and now Maye.
Actually, Sunday’s recreation truly ranks among the many better of his profession, which is in its tenth season and fifth in Foxborough. Henry hauled in eight receptions for 90 yards and each Patriots touchdowns.
The primary TD, a 5-yard reception late within the second quarter to chop Pittsburgh’s result in 14-7, punctuated a 9-play, 77-yard drive.
The second, a 16-yard dart from Maye, tied the sport at 14 on the primary play of the fourth quarter, culminating one other lengthy (15 performs, 88 yards) drive.
Henry’s 90 receiving yards tied for his fifth most in a recreation, and this was his fifth recreation — and second towards the Steelers — with a pair of landing receptions.
Grievance of the sport
I imply, it’s the 5 turnovers. In fact it’s. I’m unsure we’ll have a extra apparent grievance the remainder of the season. (Watch them exit and switch it over six instances towards the Panthers subsequent weekend.)
I don’t assume we are able to even pinpoint which turnover of the 5 was most devastating, as a result of two got here contained in the Steelers 5-yard line.
Maye’s interception simply earlier than halftime was most likely probably the most discouraging — the Patriots had marched 92 yards in 16 performs earlier than the interception, and it was crushing to go that far solely to finish up with nothing to indicate for it.
The opposite blunder deep in Steelers territory was probably the most angering. On second and purpose from the two early within the third quarter, Stevenson coughed up (and misplaced) his second fumble of the sport simply as he was about to achieve the top zone in one other try to tie the sport at 14-14.
Three notes scribbled within the margins
Predicted last rating: Patriots 27, Steelers 20
Ultimate rating: Steelers 21, Patriots 14
DeMario Douglas made the final of the Patriots’ many knuckleheaded performs, catching Maye’s throw in need of the primary down marker on fourth and 1 from the Steelers 28 with 1 minute, 7 seconds left, then wheeling backward to lose a yard and successfully finish the sport. Via three video games, Douglas has 5 receptions on 13 targets for 13 yards and a landing, and he hardly ever appears to be precisely the place Maye expects him … This was the primary time I’ve heard J.J. Watt, shifted from the studio to CBS’s No. 2 crew with the excellent Ian Eagle, name a full recreation, and I assumed he was wonderful, particularly for his expertise stage. It was amusing to listen to him discuss with his brother as “T.J. Watt” upon each point out, like he was simply one other participant, however he navigated that state of affairs properly … CBS’s celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of “NFL Right now” hit all the appropriate retro notes, particularly the ’70s-era theme music, which actually must be what they use each week.
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