Any playoff hopes the Patriots had are now all but faded after a disappointing loss to Houston yesterday. Here are the ups and downs from Week 11.
Ups ⬆️
Damiere Byrd
After the spotlight was focused on Jakobi Meyers during the past few weeks, Damiere Byrd has flown under the radar, but yesterday, he had a big day! 6/7, 132 yards, and a touchdown for Byrd as he led the passing attack, it was one of the few highlights from an otherwise disappointing day.
Happy to see both Byrd and Meyers having some big games in recent weeks, given they could be part of this offense moving into next season..
Nick Folk
100% Day for Nick Folk which is always worth an up for me. 2/2 FG and 2/2 XP for Folk who wasn’t 100% again as he continues to play through a back injury.
Jake Bailey
Pro-Bowl Bailey continues to have a solid season in his second year with the team. Yesterday, he averages 50.3 YPP and managed to flip field position for the Pats on a few occasions.
You can vote for Jake and the other Patriots players for the Pro Bowl here.
Adrian Phillips
Although most of the secondary was bad, Phillips wasn’t. He made a few plays that I recall. He had a batted pass, 1 TFL, and 7 total tackles, he also allowed no receptions all game, he’s without a doubt my favorite signing from free agency, good player.
Downs ⬇️
Gunner Olszewski
I usually try my best to hold off saying this until the last possible moment, but I think it’s time to move on from Gunner, he’s not involved at all on offense and his return efforts, where do I start? His decision making to bring the ball out from the back of the end zone and not even make it to the 25-yard line near enough every week is insane to me. He also fumbled another kick that he managed to recover and at the end of the game, he didn’t call a fair catch on the final punt and cost the offense another 4-5 seconds.
I think his time is up and the team could use the roster spot for someone who could contribute more.
Secondary Group
The backs had a rough one yesterday, Watson managed to complete 76% of his passes for a total of 344 yards and 3 touchdowns. Johnathan Jones gave up 3/4 34 yards and a touchdown, Jackson 4/8 86 yards, Dugger 3/4 47 yards. Gilmore played pretty well I thought given he’d been out for three weeks before, Phillips also is exempt from this list.
It’s so frustrating to watch this defense who shows signs of high-level play on one week, then play as a shell of their former selves a week later, has to get better if they want to finish .500, the offense can’t rescue them from a hole.
Offensive Line
The line had been on a positive run of form heading into yesterday’s game, but they allowed way too much pressure at times. Shout-out to Mike Onwenu for dealing with JJ Watt well all game, Watt made some plays by batting down four Newton passes, but that was on Cam.
Isaiah Wynn also struggled at times before having to leave the game with an injury. All in all, not a great day at the office for the line.
Coaching
Similar to the secondary group, the coaches have one good game, then have a total meltdown a week later. Re-watching yesterday’s game, I just felt that they moved away from the game plan they came in with, which ultimately cost them. For example, the Texans going into this game were last in the NFL for rushing yards allowed, after having an ok start on the ground, the Pats moved completely away from the run game.
On defense, Watson was hardly pressured, which gave him so much time to find passes easily. Maybe it’s that they don’t have enough skilled players to be able to switch up game plans during a game to execute effectively, but I can’t help feel the players weren’t helped out by the coaches yesterday.
