The Patriots lastly had their profitable streak snapped, now they’ll look to clinch a playoff spot this weekend.
All it takes is a Patriots win over or a tie with the Ravens, a Colts win or tie, or a Texans loss or tie.
Let’s get into your questions on this week’s mailbag.
@ReallJayr: What’s happening with Josh McDaniels within the 2nd half of video games
There’s a fairly regarding pattern within the second half of video games relationship again to the beginning of November for the Patriots’ offense.
Within the first half of video games since Week 9, quarterback Drake Maye is finishing 73.2% of his passes for 927 yards with seven touchdowns and one interception, plus 17 dashing makes an attempt for 82 yards with two touchdowns and 5 sacks. His EPA per play is +0.35, and his success charge is 57.1%.
Within the second half of video games since Week 9, Maye is finishing simply 57.0% of his passes for 614 yards with one landing and three interceptions, plus 17 dashing makes an attempt for 30 yards with no touchdowns and 10 sacks. His EPA per play -0.07, and his success charge is 38.9%.
Total, the Patriots’ EPA per play within the first half of these video games is +0.27, and their success charge is 52.8%. Within the second half of these video games, their EPA per play is -0.06, and their success charge is 36.6%.
These numbers embrace three 50-plus yard landing runs from rookie working again TreVeyon Henderson.
There are definitely some extenuating circumstances in play. The Patriots have been enjoying with the lead in all however a type of six video games, in order that they’re enjoying extra conservatively, however video games have been fairly shut in opposition to the Falcons, Buccaneers, Bengals and Payments. So, it’s additionally potential that defenses are simply figuring them out.
Essentially the most regarding sport was, clearly, in opposition to the Payments, however the Patriots have scored simply 4 touchdowns within the second halves of video games since Week 9, and three of these have been these lengthy landing runs from Henderson. They’ve solely had one longer, prolonged landing drive in that span, and that got here within the third quarter of their win in opposition to the Jets on a six-play, 69-yard drive.
@ofibroso: Milton Willians or Will Campbell who comes again first?
Williams is eligible to return first. He can come off injured reserve in Week 17 in opposition to the Jets. Campbell can return in Week 18 in opposition to the Dolphins.
Considerably surprisingly, the Patriots really miss Williams greater than Campbell up to now.
The Patriots’ run protection has been among the many worst within the NFL since Williams suffered his ankle damage in Week 11, rating thirtieth in EPA per rush and thirty first in success charge.
Earlier than Week 11, they have been fourth in EPA per rush and eighth in success charge. It definitely didn’t assist that the Patriots have been with out linebacker Robert Spillane in Week 15 in opposition to the Payments, as nicely.
Campbell’s substitute, Vederian Lowe, hasn’t been excellent by 2.5 video games, however he hasn’t allowed a sack. He’s let up one QB hit and 6 hurries in 85 pass-blocking snaps.
@Thecolours: Who do you assume Vrabel would reasonably play within the wild card spherical? The Texans or the Payments for a third time.
That’s an excellent query. I can’t learn Vrabel’s thoughts, however I believe you’d want to take your possibilities with the Texans, regardless that they’re additionally a well-rounded group.
Since Texans QB C.J. Stroud got here again in Week 13, their offense ranks eleventh in EPA per play, and their protection is eighth.
On your complete season, the Texans’ protection ranks first in EPA per play, and their offense ranks 18th, however that features time when Davis Mills was at quarterback.
The Payments have already crushed the Patriots as soon as, and Sunday’s loss was fairly demoralizing for New England, giving up a 21-point lead.
@clayvc: What’s up with Diggs’ utilization?
It was very shocking to see Stefon Diggs play simply half of the Patriots’ offensive snaps (26) on Sunday. You’d assume you’d need Diggs to play as a lot as potential in a sport through which he’s clearly very motivated in opposition to his former group.
The Patriots used a variety of various personnel packages in Week 15, enjoying a number of snaps in a pony formation with Henderson and fellow working again Rhamondre Stevenson sharing the sphere. Fullback Jack Westover performed eight snaps, offensive deal with Thayer Munford was on the sphere for 10 snaps as a further blocker, defensive deal with Khyiris Tonga performed one snap at fullback, and vast receivers DeMario Douglas (10 snaps) and Kyle Williams (5 snaps) each bought work. The Patriots additionally used tight ends Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper on the sphere collectively a number of occasions.
Nonetheless, Mack Hollins (41 snaps) and Kayshon Boutte (39 snaps) each bought extra work than Diggs.
It might be a option to preserve Diggs recent, however the Patriots have been coming off the bye in what ought to have been a must-win sport. It appears the Patriots favored mixing up personnel packages over giving Diggs extra snaps. In the end, it didn’t work.
@jordsmith897561: Who do you assume will get the boot as soon as we activate Campbell and Williams from IR? Most probably Gregory is a robust candidate, however who for Campbell? Munford good TE3 and has numerous sport expertise. Don’t wish to lose Caeden both, he’s younger and has potential OT/G flex. Foxboro Flu?
That’s one other superb query. For the reason that Patriots signed Chad Muma off the Colts’ apply squad, they will’t minimize him for 3 weeks. So, that takes him out of the equation.
Another potential choices are working again D’Ernest Johnson (and discovering one other third working again to deliver off the apply squad), tight finish CJ Dippre, Munford or cornerback Miles Battle. Johnson and Battle may be the best to get by waivers and onto the apply squad.
Munford has been dressing over rookie Marcus Bryant because the Patriots’ backup deal with, so there’s no motive to chop him at this level.
