5 winners and losers from Patriots’ 32-16 loss to the Jaguars
The New England Patriots dropped their Week 7 contest 32-16 to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London on Sunday to fall to 1-6 on the year.
Here is who caught our eye for better or worse upon live viewing.
Loser: Coaching staff. Starting on offense, play caller Alex Van Pelt had an impressive opening script with motion and play-action that helped the Patriots score their first opening drive touchdown of the season. Despite Drake Maye going 6-of-7 for 67 yards and a touchdown on that drive, Van Pelt seemed to get away from letting Maye air it out against the league’s worst pass defense. That included each of New England’s three first half three-and-outs starting with a first-down run.
Defensively, Jerod Mayo and DeMarcus Covington’s defense continues to get gashed on the ground and struggled to pressure Trevor Lawerence on Sunday. Many of Jacksonville’s successful runs were similar concepts while the big plays through the air also were repeat plays from recent weeks. It’s time for Mayo to take some more control back over his defense.
All-in-all, it was another ugly day that revolves around poor coaching and team discipline — which ended with Mayo calling his team “soft.”
Winner: QB Drake Maye. It wasn’t a perfect day for quarterback Drake Maye in his second career start, but the rookie was far from the problem. Despite a few misses and a pair of turnover worthy throws, Maye again showed his talent in his best efforts to elevate the supporting cast.
On New England’s opening drive, Maye made a strong read to beat a blitz and find JaMycal Hasty as his hot receiver out of the backfield. Maye’s second touchdown drive then featured several strong downfield throws which ended with a dart up the seam to K.J. Osborn. The rookie continued to make plays with his legs as well as it continues to be an encouraging start.
Loser: Run game. The Patriots ground game struggles continued for another week on both the offensive and defensive side of the football.
