The Patriots hired Steven Jackson who since quite some time has seen no action, seeking to add power to their running game led by Brandon Bolden. And since the injury of LeGarrette Blount New England team has not been able to establish a good running game. Jackson had seven carries for 15 yards, scoring only seven yards on one carry.
Yes, the Jets have a very good defensive line and are able to contain good ground attacks but the Patriots are usually strong thanks to the balance achieved in recent years with a decent ground attack. Bolden had 30 yards today, Jackson, 15 and White added 4. So, not even over 50 yards adding all running backs efforts. They need to improve soon heading into the playoffs.
Pats offensive line suffered further without Vollmer as early in the game the Patriots lost their best offensive lineman which itself already had problems with injuries, from Nate Solder and Marcus Cannon for example. Things may not be so easy at the front of the Jets offensive and the reality is that there were many occasions that the running backs could not go beyond the line of scrimmage and Tom Brady was hard pressed to find any of his options.
Vollmer still needs to have performed an MRI on his ankle to understand the severity of the injury. Hopefully, for his sake and that of the team, the injury is not as serious because he would be much needed in the playoffs. Truly injuries have been a big problem for New England.
The Jets’ offense was not conclusive. Their game could have generated more points if they had a better selection of plays. Many of its advances were finished when Fitzpatrick sought their wide receivers on long routes. He did not have the precision to find them throughout the game. Even the scoring pass to Marshall was not the best when the number 15 Jets had to correct the path.
As the Patriots rallied for practice we could see the actual impact from all the injuries the Patriots have sustained so far with more than 5 players already on the absentee list which includes: Vollmer, DE Rob Ninkovich, with an injured left shin, linebackers Dont’a Hightower (left knee) and Jonathan Freeny (right hand), rookie cornerback Justin Coleman (left the Jets game with a concussion). Now back to Sunday’s game.
Note that when the Jets used their running backs and short passes as screen passes, they looked like a dominant offensive. Todd Bowles should know the limitations of their quarterback and use him efficiently. The Fitzmagic ends just by throwing long.
Brady needs Edelman and Amendola back as soon as possible. Rob Gronkowski is usually a very dominant tight end, provided he is not the most dangerous in the team. And the situation is that the Jets knew who to cover the majority of the game. However, Gronk got 86 yards on four receptions but ended without a score.
But Brady needs those players that with three or four steps can shake off the coverage and both Martin and LaFell are not like that. the team is in need of such receivers for the Pats to have the attack they had earlier in the season. In playoffs you can not win with one touchdown on offense.
What happened with the decision of the Pats in overtime? Many would think that in a situation like the Pats had when winning the toss, the words: “We want the ball.” would be the obvious answer but Matthew Slater, Pats captain said: “We want to kick to that side.” You can not choose both. Or you decide you want to kick or receive the ball or flat choose the side that you want to defend but not both. Hence the confusion derived because Bill Belichick had asked Slater to select the side to defend.
It is not the first time that Belichick selects the side instead of the ball. In 2013 he had the same decision when they went to overtime against Broncos because the wind was so strong that occasion. But today? The weather was not a factor. It seems that the time was its offensive to achieve the tie but decided to give the opportunity to Jets and at the end, it was not a good decision.
