Patriots 2022 Season Thread

If they lose tomorrow they're going to start the season 0-4. I don't think Bill can coach this team out of that hole. They also can't just go back to the old offense either. This is who they're going to be this season if they can't get it to work. A poor showing against Pittsburgh might mean they also won't have any easy wins this season.

I missed first half, yet positives OL gives up no sacks, Steelers had 7 sacks last week. Over 375 yards offense. I like that two back rotation, deadly running those on those usual third down passing plays. They simplified things, not get everyone evolved. Still no connection with Jonnu Smith. Also the chemistry with Parker is just not there yet. It's a big positive in my book, yet far from a finished product.

It's still a solid deep team but I'm struck by how little high-end talent we have. A few young guys need to pop more than they have for this team to have a ceiling higher than playoffs participant. Wish the WR run hadn't happened so early on draft day as Wilson, Olave and Dohtson are already impact players. Maybe Thornton will hit his stride when he comes back.

Much like, "if they called PI we win week 1". If Gunner doesn't muff a punt or if Canon offsides was called or there was something about a 2nd INT for Mac, I forget, they lose week 2.

Miami looked a lot better week 2, so I have to say it makes the defense look that much more impressive the first two weeks of the season.

With that said, the offense was rather vanilla against a tough defense that was without their best defensive playmaker. Also, Tribusky is one of the worst quarterbacks in the league. Just absolutely terrible.

I don't see how this team beats a Ravens club that just got embarrassed or how they win in Green Bay.

That puts them at 1-4 before hosting the Lions who have scored 35 and 36 the first two games. That game is quickly dissolving as an easy win.

Mac Jones just doesn't have the arm to be anything like Brady. Brady wasn't Manning either, but he wasn't too shabby. I love Mac Jones, he's a GAMER and he's incredibly smart. But his physical limitations are very obvious and while that doesn't mean he has reached his ceiling, he's at a significant disadvantage against guys like Mahomes and Allen. I think the Pats can win with him though, I just don't think we should pin him as ELITE just yet and frankly I'm not sure we ever will.

From everything I've seen Jones throws a better deep ball now than Brady did at any point in his career. I mean, of course Jones won't be Brady, but Brady's ability to throw a football downfield is pretty far down the list of what made him great.

Good ugly win, that’s how they’re going to win this year. Play good D, run the ball, win or tie the turnover battle

Honestly Mac missed a couple open guys yesterday, that was more concerning to me than his arm. I think his arm is good enough to find success. I think he’s getting used to what Patricia is doing

It was a different game before 2007. We also haven't seen this defense against an elite QB and will get their first taste the next 2 weeks. The next two will help see what the defense could potentially do if they wish to go on a run and even win a playoff game. This team could easily be 2-0 and 0-2. These next two are very important to paint a picture as to what this team is.

I'm pretty sure the last few Superbowl winners and losers had an elite QB and at least 1 elite receiver or HoF TE.

I like Mac and want him to have at least 3 years before pulling the plug, but he seems to be stagnant in comparison to last year this season. It's great for a rookie, not great for a veteran. I think the coaching has something to do with it.

2001 was the Rams greatest show or whatever they were calling it back then. That's really when the change started and we beat Kurt Warner with all those weapons in an ugly fashion. Tua looked like an average QB against our D and an MVP type QB against Ravens.

I have zero issues with wait for the next two, that's different than 1-4 start.

It's two games with a new offense, first time OC and you're talking about how much time you give him till you move on? The bigger issues are Jonnu Smith and Parker, not Mac Jones. 

It was the beginning, but there have been a number of rule changes since then. I don't know if Rodney Harrison would have much of a career if he played today.



This article talks about why these rules made a huge impact.
www.insidehook.com/article/sports/nfl-rule-changes-created-golden-era-quarterback-stats

Miami, while impressive against Baltimore, came back in a hurry. They were down by quite a bit, but the offense clicked. I don't think Tua is that good, but his weapons are and TBD on them I think, but I said the defense has done the job the past two weeks, just it'll mean more against the next two teams.

I don't think Mac should escape all blame, but I think his ability to make that next jump is being made that much harder by having offensive coordinators who've never been in that position before while trying a new offensive system. Jonu was a bust. No idea what the thought of benching Bourne week 1 was. Nelson looks much better than last year and they got him Thorton (IR) and Parker who now looks lost. They also still have Meyers whose becoming early version of Edelman. He also has a pretty good running attack.

I wish they just gave McDaniels a blank check and promise to take over after Bill to maintain continuity with Mac, though the Raiders should have won both their first two games so that's not a good start for McDaniels.

I think this year there's a good chance he looks like Mac of last year and year 3 they'll need to see if he experiences growth. If not, I can see a 2nd rounder being used on a QB before year 4 to pressure him. But that's projecting way too far out.

I’m waiting when Thornton gets back and see some Go routes. He could change any game around.

Ekuale practiced today so he does take the Herron spot.

Also, K Tristan Vizcaino added to the PS to replace Mitchell.