Musket Fire
FanSided

Patriots: Stats prove Josh McDaniels playing scared is ruining offense

By Jerry Trotta

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The New England Patriots need a win in the worst way in Week 7 in order to keep pace in the AFC playoff picture.

With so many teams hovering around .500, the Patriots have to keep treading water until they can rattle off a couple wins in a row.

This win-loss, win-loss formula isn’t sustainable, and they’ll have a great chance to start a potential winning streak this Sunday against the 1-5 New York Jets.

Before we preview that game, though, we still have to discuss their Week 6 thriller against Dallas, which the Patriots dropped in overtime after some questionable coaching, clutch throws from Dak Prescott and a missed facemask call.

You know what else contributed to New England’s loss? That would be Josh McDaniels’ conservative approach on offense after Mac Jones was blindsided and steamrolled by Cowboys edge rusher Randy Gregory.

If you have a high pain tolerance, check out these telling stats dug up by Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald.

Josh McDaniels coaching scared doomed the Patriots in Week 6.

Are you serious, McDaniels?

We get the logic behind wanting to protect your quarterback. Jones has taken some BIG shots this year. In fact, we’d argue that no QB in the league — though Carson Wentz might have an argument — has endured as many big hits as Jones.

However, up until that point, the Patriots’ offensive line did a solid job protecting the No. 15 overall pick. For the game, Jones was sacked just two times. The Cowboys only managed five quarterback hits for the game, too.

McDaniels acting like Dallas was getting home on every other play is absurd. Why go into a shell offensively when your opponent boasts one of the most prolific offenses in the league? It makes no sense given the success Jones was having throwing on first down. It’s really no wonder things fell apart in the second half.

The Patriots actually almost won in spite of McDaniels. Did he not see that Jones was picking apart the Cowboys’ secondary? The rookie was 10-for-10 with a perfect passer rating at one point in the second half.

Jones should’ve earned McDaniels’ trust by now. Put the ball in his hands and let him win (or lose) the game. He outplayed Tom Brady two weeks ago in the most anticipated game of the year. Why not see if he can do the same against Prescott?

Feeding a banged up Damien Harris, a rookie in Rhamondre Stevenson and Brandon Bolden, who’s better equipped on special teams than he is as a running back, instead of letting Jones cook on first down is ruining the Patriots’ offense.

Offensive coordinators and offensive-minded head coaches are becoming more daring and aggressive with each passing week. It’s where the NFL is moving. With McDaniels calling the shots, the Patriots are in danger of getting left behind.

Home/Patriots News