Landover, Md. – The Patriots concluded the preseason with a 20-10 loss to Washington's backups at Commanders Field on Sunday night.
Before the game, the Commanders announced that 34 players, including starting quarterback Jayden Daniels, wouldn't play in the preseason finale. It would've been fun to see Daniels versus Maye, No. 2 pick vs. No. 3, but we didn't get that. Instead, everything you're about to read needs to be looked at through the prism of it being Washington's backups.
That said, a frustrated head coach Jerod Mayo didn't hide his displeasure with the undisciplined play of the offensive line. New England's starting offensive line was called for eight penalties in the first half, including four illegal formation penalties for the tackles lining up too far in the backfield. According to Coach Mayo, the refs warned the linemen about their alignment, yet the Patriots starting tackles were penalized for the same infraction multiple times.
"It is a concern. The biggest concern for me, it's not the X's and O's of what they do, it's the lack of discipline that they showed today, and that's on all of us," Mayo said of the offensive line. "I have to be more diligent in getting on those guys about pre-snap penalties, and the rest of the coaches have to do the same thing. But the players also have to take responsibility."
We all knew the offensive line might be a fatal flaw for the Patriots this season. After using their first two draft picks on a quarterback and wide receiver, the Pats didn't take a lineman until the third round, and they passed on the top tackles on the free-agent market. It's one of the main reasons New England might not be fully ready to compete.
However, the biggest fear was that the offensive line woes would create an inhabitable environment for QB Drake Maye. Maye is trending towards playing early in his rookie season. But will the situation allow for it? Will he get bad habits? Will he get hurt? Eventually, the Patriots can't live in fear and will need to play their best quarterback. Coach Mayo said as much when asked if the offensive line's play would impact who plays quarterback: "The best players are going to play," Mayo said.
Sunday night's game, where starter Jacoby Brissett (shoulder) suffered an injury on a first-quarter sack, was a snapshot into the potential problems New England's biggest weakness could present for a rookie quarterback, or any quarterback, heading into the regular season.
Here are eight takeaways from the Patriots loss to the Commanders in the preseason finale:
1. SERVPRO Spotlight: The Future is Now With Maye-to-Polk for 29-Yard Completion
After entering the game on the Patriots second possession, rookie QB Drake Maye immediately led an 88-yard touchdown drive, where he went 5-for-6 for 71 yards and a 17-yard scramble.
The drive's biggest play was a 29-yard explosive from Maye to Polk, the 2024 first-round draft choice throwing to New England's second-round pick. If you asked Eliot Wolf how he envisioned this pairing fitting together, the Pats personnel chief would put this play on the board: Polk's intermediate route-running with Maye's ability to attack the middle of the field.
"Just had a high-low crossing concept. JP [Ja'Lynn Polk] did a nice job weaving through traffic. Try to give him a good ball and catch and run from there," Maye told Patriots.com. "He does a good job of getting open. My job is to get him the rock and let him do his thing."
Speaking after his quarterback, Polk said the Patriots called that playing during practice last week, and he was hoping that call would come in during the game. It's also worth noting that the play came from under-center off-play-action, something that has been a work in progress for Maye, who didn't play much from under-center in North Carolina.
Along with being a rookie-to-rookie glimpse into the future, Maye's progress to throw in rhythm within structure is encouraging. Hopefully, we will see that connection for years to come in New England.
2. Rookie QB Drake Maye Flashes Potential Once Again in Five Drives
Although playing backups in the preseason isn't always indicative of regular-season success, Maye's performance was the most promising thing to come out of Sunday night's game. The third-overall pick finished the game 13-of-20 for 126 yards and a touchdown with 17 rushing yards.
By my live charting, Maye had five plus-plays to three minus throws. Those are the ups and downs of a 21-year-old rookie, but his talent is evident. Maye made decisive decisions, maneuvered the pocket well with good poise, and flashed his big play ability in and out of structure. If it wasn't for the eighth penalty of the half on the O-Line, we would've seen the off-script playmaking Maye brings to the table on a 48-yard touchdown to KJ Osborn.
Maye's physical tools are all over his film in the last two preseason games. The strides he's making with his footwork and timing should get him on the field soon. At this point, it's a matter of whether Maye can protect himself well enough by rearranging the chessboard before the snap. If he can, he should play because he's injecting the difference-making energy into the offense.
3. Starting QB Jacoby Brissett Plays Eight Snaps, Takes a Big Hit to Right Shoulder on Sack
The Patriots current starter played one series and the offense moved the ball into Washington territory. However, a first-down sack derailed the drive and caused some damage to Brissett's right shoulder. In his post-game press conference, Coach Mayo said Brissett could've returned to the game if it was the regular season.
As for his performance, Brissett took advantage of a busted coverage by the Commanders to convert on third down by finding RB Antonio Gibson in the flat. He also threw a catchable deep ball to KJ Osborn late in the down that should've been a big play on third-and-11. Brissett's preseason stats remain pedestrian, but he also had significant offensive line issues. Brissett's availability is a major storyline heading into the regular season.
4. Reconfigured Starting Five Doesn't Solve Patriots O-Line Issues
The Patriots rolled with the starting five we'd project to play in Week 1 vs. the Bengals: LT Chuks Okorafor, LG Sidy Sow, C Nick Leverett, RG Layden Robinson, and RT Mike Onwenu. Obviously, captain David Andrews, who had the night off vs. the Commanders, will take Leverett's place in the starting lineup when we do this for real in Cincy.
New England's goal to find their "best five" along the offensive line in camp hit a turning point when fourth-rounder Layden Robinson was elevated to the starting five. Robinson had a strong summer, showing off excellent power and good initial burst out of his stance. Onwenu kicks outside to right tackle to accommodate Robinson, which is a question mark seeing that it's not Onwenu's best position, but big Mike has proven to be an above-average right tackle.
At left tackle, this feels like a position battle that'll continue into the regular season between Okorafor and Vederian Lowe. Lowe is not healthy right now, so Chuks got the nod. The Pats need to survive the season at left tackle, which they'll leave up to Lowe and Okorafor. Although that could get dicey, the other four-fifths of the line with one of their rookie draft picks emerging is the best-case scenario.
As for how they performed, frankly, the starting line was bad in the first half. It started with a sack, multiple QB pressures, and two bad snaps by Leverett, and then snowballed into eight (!) first-half penalties: false start, Okorafor lining up in the backfield at the snap three times, Onwenu committing the same penalty once, and three holds. To make matters worse, starting LG Sidy Sow (ankle) left the game due to injury.
The opening drive stalled when Brissett was sacked on first down. Originally, I thought this was a trap play-action scheme gone wrong. However, upon review, it looks like the Pats are actually trying to set up a screen to the tight end (Bell). Bell gets held up trying to get out into his route, and the execution by the line is a hot mess. Brissett has no outlet with Bell washed out of the play, and he takes a big hit that led to an injury. Ouch.
These are the things Patriots fans have nightmares about, especially once they need to protect the future of the franchise (Maye). It's a huge, huge problem. The only hope is that, in a system that runs through the center making the calls, Andrews can settle things down operationally.
5. Bubble offense: TE Jaheim Bell Starts, WR Kayshon Boutte Doesn't Play till Second Half
With players on the bubble using the preseason finale as one last audition to make the roster, it was notable that seventh-round rookie Jaheim Bell earned the start on Sunday night. The Pats were down three tight ends, with Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper sitting this one out. Still, Bell got the nod over veteran La'Michael Pettway and undrafted rookie Jacob Warren. Bell caught a 16-yard crosser from Milton, which was his kind of route. Bell can run away from the defense and gain yards after the catch. His game is crosser, seams, and plays into the flats. The seventh-rounder should make the team as a versatile, explosive rookie with upside.
It's also notable that second-year wideout Kayshon Boutte didn't see the field until the second half. Boutte is competing with WR Jalen Reagor for the sixth receiver spot. They could keep seven receivers in a by-committee approach where they throw a bunch of stuff against the wall to see what sticks. But if it's one open roster spot, Reagor would have an edge because he's a primary option in the return game. Boutte doesn't have a big role on special teams. I'm leaning toward Boutte, who had moments this summer, being the odd man out at wide receiver.
6. Bubble Defense: Pettus, Giles-Harris, Elliss, and Others Make One Last Case
On defense, the Patriots gave several players a chance to showcase their skills with extended playing time on Sunday night. Unfortunately, Elliss, who had a team-high 11 tackles, left Sunday night's game with a head injury. Elliss was making a strong case, so the injury came at a horrible time. Pettus and fourth-year safety Joshua Bledsoe got their fair share of playing time, as did Giles-Harris, who recorded a first-half interception.
The interception for Giles-Harris came on a well-executed blitz by Bledsoe. Bledsoe's pressure sped up Commanders QB Jeff Driskel, and with Giles-Harris getting depth in his zone drop, the Pats linebacker was able to jump the short route for an easy pick. The glass half full view is that Elliss and Giles-Harris played well. But you also can't help but think that the extra snaps were a nod from the coaching staff to put stuff on film for other teams.
7. Putting a Bow on the Preseason for the Patriots Rookie Class
Since we've already highlighted Maye and Polk, let's discuss some other rookies. Third-round pick Caedan Wallace ran with the second unit at right tackle. He was called for a hold when Milton broke the pocket to his side but wasn't noticeably poor. For Wallace, the flipping to the left side experiment hasn't been his primary focus. He'll likely try to push for playing time at right tackle, which gets complicated with Onwenu and Robinson starting.
Fourth-rounder Javon Baker's fast start simmered down by summer's end. Baker needs to improve his play strength to handle physical NFL coverage on the boundary. For example, he separated initially on a deep ball from Maye but slowed down on his route jockeying for position with the CB. Baker needs to be able to run through contact there and finish the play.
Overall, it's disappointing that Baker didn't continue on the fast track toward being an immediate contributor. At this point, fans shouldn't be surprised if Baker is a healthy scratch in Week 1. He could get the rookie-year Boutte treatment, which I know will anger some of you.
8. Chad Ryland Makes a Field Goal (38 Yards) and an Extra Point in Last Roster Push
From this perspective, veteran Joey Slye basically locked up the kicking competition already. The Pats still gave Ryland a chance on Sunday night, and he made a 38-yard field goal and an extra point. I won't hold Slye's two 60-plus misses to end the halves against him. Slye is still the winner here, but Ryland could stick around on the practice squad.
DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer
