LAS VEGAS – The football floated in the air for about three seconds. For a moment, the Patriots had hope.
Mac Jones dropped back, standing on the opposing goal line, and finally let it rip. He had a clean pocket, time to set his feet, and to throw the ball. That’s been a rarity this season. At this moment, as the ball soared through Allegiant Stadium, DeVante Parker had a step on cornerback Jakorian Bennett.
This is what the Patriots needed, down by three, in the waning moments of the fourth quarter.
As fast as the football fell into the hands of Parker, it fell even quicker to the ground. Just like that, we all knew it was over. The Patriots haven’t had many opportunities to connect on a big pass play, never mind in a situation where they desperately need one.
Right after Parker’s drop, which he claims hit him in the fingertips, it was all but over. The Raiders pass rush got to Jones instantly and that included the game-securing sack just seven seconds after that missed opportunity.
The play to Parker and what followed was a microcosm of the Patriots issues in 2023. Simply put – they’re not good enough. The offense isn’t close to good enough. After losing 21-17 to the Las Vegas Raiders, the Patriots fall to 1-5 and are faced with the stark dim reality – this situation, this franchise has no easy fix.
The Patriots are now a bottom-feeding NFL team. They’re the cupcakes on the schedule. They’re a team that a struggling Raiders squad beat to get back on track and one that got blown out by a mediocre New Orleans team, who lost to the Houston Texans on Sunday.
There’s no easy fix because the Patriots offensive problems are rooted so deeply in poor roster management that the only hope is to blow it up and start anew in 2024.
$200 INSTANT BONUS
DRAFTKINGS MASS
BET $5, GET $200 BONUS BET
FANDUEL MASS
BET $50, GET $250 BONUS
CAESARS MASS
$1,000 FIRST-BET BONUS
BETMGM MASS
MA only. 21+. Gambling Problem? If you or a loved one is experiencing problems with gambling, please call 1-800-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org for 24/7 support. LiveChat with a GameSense Advisor at GameSenseMA.com or call 1-800-GAM-1234
MA Gambling Helpline.
Offensive line needs to be overhauled
The Patriots started their fifth different offensive line combination in their sixth game on Sunday. On paper, it’s fair to argue this group has been devastated by injuries. We saw that with both starting guards, Michael Onwenu (ankle) and Cole Strange (knee), not playing. Riley Reiff (knee) was also unavailable.
The problem with that argument is the Patriots invested in their offensive line this offseason. This team drafted three interior offensive linemen in the 2023 NFL Draft Jake Andrews (pick 107 in Round 4), Sidy Sow (117 in Round 4), and Atonio Mafi (pick 144 in Round 5). That was three out of four picks in a row.
The results, without Onwenu and Strange, have been bad. Mafi entered this game leading the Patriots in sacks allowed. He was called for a false start, backing up the offense five yards, just before that missed pass play to Parker. Sow was called for a false start in the fourth quarter when the Patriots got to the 3-yard line. They eventually scored, but it took a minute off the clock.
Of course, the Patriots issue up the middle pales in comparison to the situation at right tackle. Vederian Lowe has struggled throughout the last four games, but there is no one better on the roster to start. That says it all and points to the Patriots failure to address this position in the offseason.
On Sunday, the Patriots had two starting-caliber offensive linemen in their lineup – center David Andrews and left tackle Trent Brown.
To make it even worse, two of the Patriots best offensive linemen will be free agents in 2024 with Brown and Onwenu. Not only will the Patriots have to find a new right tackle, in free agency or the draft, but they might need a new left tackle and right guard.
Overhauling this offensive line is a major project and a top priority. It’s also fair to question whether new offensive line coach Adrian Klemm is the right man for this job. So far, the results don’t suggest so.
Patriots need a new quarterback
Before Sunday’s game, a team source told MassLive it looked like Jones lost his confidence against the Saints and that it appeared like players stopped playing around him.
That’s a bad combination.
There is a laundry list of excuses for Jones. His offensive line is horrible. His weapons lack a true No. 1 pass catcher. But for as many excuses there are, Jones continues to turn the ball over at an alarming rate.
His interception in the second quarter was familiar. Jones felt pressure, left the pocket, and threw the ball to a Raiders defender. He was trying to do too much. It’s okay to feel bad for this young quarterback, but in Year 3, he’s making passes that no NFL starting quarterback should be making.
Jones has thrown five touchdowns compared to seven interceptions. He’s hurting the Patriots offense. At this point, in his third season, he looks like a player who needs an elite offensive line with elite weapons to succeed. He doesn’t have that in New England. It’s fair to question if he ever will.
It’s going so poorly for Jones that it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Patriots enter the quarterback market this offseason. Even though Malik Cunningham is a fun story, the Patriots see him as a receiver and it’s very unlikely they turn to him at quarterback.
In free agency, the top players available are unsurprising – Kirk Cousins and Ryan Tannehill. There’s also Baker Mayfield, Gardner Minshew, and Joshua Dobbs.
With a 1-5 record, and games against Buffalo and Miami up next, the Patriots could also be in position to draft a top quarterback available. Fans should be dreaming of USC’s Caleb Williams or North Carolina’s Drake Maye.
The easiest path back to the Super Bowl is having a franchise quarterback. The Patriots are in a difficult position where it doesn’t look like they have that guy. It won’t be easy to find him.
Offensive weapons need to be revamped
The failed deep bass to Parker represents a big issue in New England – this team doesn’t know how to identify top-receiving talent.
This offseason, they signed receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster instead of Jakobi Meyers. They gave Parker an extension instead of Kendrick Bourne, who led the Patriots with 10 catches for 89 yards on Sunday.
The Patriots will enter next offseason desperately needing a true No. 1 receiver. They haven’t had one since Julian Edelman retired. That task will be made difficult by the fact that Bourne and Hunter Henry are free agents. Neither are Pro Bowlers, but they should be part of the solution.
Instead, the Patriots have Smith-Schuster, Parker, Tyquan Thornton, Demario Douglas, and Kayshon Boutte under contract. They’ll enter free agency with both tight ends (Henry and Mike Gesicki) and their best receiver (Bourne) in need of new contracts while also needing to bring in a game-changing, pass-catching talent.
Maybe they sign someone like Tee Higgins or a veteran like Mike Evans? Maybe they try (again) to land a top receiver in the draft. As we’ve witnessed in New England, it won’t be easy.
This is on top of needing to revamp their offensive line and make changes to their quarterback depth chart.
The Patriots are a franchise in need of desperate repair. These problems won’t be fixed overnight.
- NFL fans can wager online on Massachusetts sports betting with enticing promo codes from top online sportsbooks. Use the FanDuel Massachusetts promo code and the DraftKings Massachusetts promo code for massive new user bonuses.
