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Patriots: 3 people who need to be held responsible for near-debacle vs Texans

By Thomas Carannante

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 19: Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels of the New England Patriots looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles in the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 19, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Patriots defeated the Eagles 35-0. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 19: Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels of the New England Patriots looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles in the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 19, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Patriots defeated the Eagles 35-0. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

1. Josh McDaniels

OK, fine. The offense survived. Jones once again looked pretty good. But is it enough? This team went out and spent a ton of money on skill position players and we’re just not seeing anything close to what was expected.

Nine points in the first half? OK, fine, again. The Patriots were missing almost their entire offensive line. But then why are you running the ball 30 times … with 11 of those carries going to Rhamondre Stevenson, who averaged 2.1 yards per rush? Was this Harris’ punishment, even though he got another seven carries after his fumble and then left the game with an injury?

And finally, when Jones and the offense started to show some life and reached the Texans red zone, you ran … three straight screens? Anybody home in Josh McDaniels’ noggin?

Houston has a mediocre defense in just about every category, but somehow they were able to outsmart New England for a majority of this one. Had the Pats not finished this game with two dominant drives (seven plays, 54 yards and a TD and 15 plays, 84 yards and the game-winning field goal), we’re not really sure what conversation would’ve needed to be had.

Before that, the Patriots had totaled 43 plays for 229 yards and scored 12 points. That’s a 5.3 average, which would be good for 21st in the league with the Detroit Lions. When the Patriots need to be aggressive, they come off as conservative with the play calling, and vice versa. The talent acquired in the offseason is clearly still taking too much time to assimilate.

But McDaniels has been a constant in New England since 2019. That year, the offense took massive steps back because “it didn’t have enough talent.” OK. 2020 was another excuse because of a shortened season, the loss of Tom Brady, Julian Edelman and others. Cam Newton, however, never really progressed or grew in the offense. Now, the addition of talent and a capable rookie quarterback have hardly yielded impressive results.

Isn’t part of the job adapting on the fly? Haven’t seen that in two-plus years running now. Change something.

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