NFL
By: Steve Atkinson
The Patriots kept their season alive with a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Yes, I meant alive because if they were to go 0-4 to start the year you could’ve kissed the season goodbye. The questionable decisions by Mac Jones today and the coaching staff were a head-scratcher. To begin the game Matt Patricia put DeVante Parker, Jakobi Meyers, and Lil ‘Jordan Humphrey on the first drive. Instead of Nelson Agholor, and Kendrick Bourne. I’m not sure what the coaching staff was thinking there not having the two players you’re paying millions of dollars to not starting the game.
DeVante Parker is last on the Patriots receiver depth chart
DeVante Parker is probably the fifth-best wide receiver on this team. He’s done nothing to impress in the early part of the season. not sure what Matt Patricia saw in Parker but every time the ball is thrown his way it’s either an interception or an incomplete pass. I’m not sure where the tight ends are either. I think Hunter Henry had one target and Jonnu Smith couldn’t get it going either. The play of the day was Nelson Agholor’s grab just before halftime and finished the day with 110 yards and a touchdown. Jakobi Meyers is also Mac’s favorite target who finished the day with nine receptions for 95 yards.
The Patriots offense has a long way to go
As for Mac Jones he made some questionable decisions at times. He threw an interception trying to find DeVante Parker, he almost had another interception that went right through the hands of a Steeler defender. The throw to Smith in double coverage was bad, he had Meyers wide open, and Mac didn’t see him. The fact he needs to snap the play off before the play clock hits zero, too many times today Jones let the play clock almost hit zero. One time they had to use a timeout another was a delay of game.
The offensive line was better and so was the run game. Mac had plenty of time to throw the ball. Also, Damien Harris and Stevenson did a great job putting the game away at the end. The defense played well but Mitchell Trubisky blows he couldn’t move the ball downfield at all in this game. He was so bad the fans were booing him and wanted the Steelers to put in Kenny Pickett. Also, if wasn’t for Gunner muffing the punt to put the Patriots in good field position, they wouldn’t have scored. There was a nice gift from the Steelers with that muffed punt by Gunner.
My top three players in the game were Matthew Judon, Nelson Agholor, and Jakobi Meyers. The down players of the game were DeVante Parker, Jonnu Smith, and Hunter Henry. For the amount of money, they spent in free agency a year ago only Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne, and Matt Judon, have worked out. Smith hasn’t worked out going on his second season. Henry was fine last year but not off to a great start this year. As for Bourne that is a Patricia gripe for whatever reason and there is no way he should be getting fewer snaps than Parker or Humphrey.
The Patriots will now turn the page to their home opener against the Ravens next Sunday. Ravens are coming off a loss to the Miami Dolphins at home today. That Patriots offense will have its hands full and they are playing a better quarterback as well. As far as today goes it was good to get a win, but Kendrick Bourne is correct the offense has a long way to go to reach its potential.
