Patriots: Josh McDaniels’ terrible play-calling killed first-half momentum

Did the New England Patriots forget how to play football once they enter the red zone? They’re 21st in the NFL when converting such possessions into touchdowns and they already botched two opportunities in the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers. 

It’s depressing that this is the takeaway after the Pats kicked off the game with a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, but you can’t squander away a majority of your favorable chances when on the road.

After that first TD, the game was tied 7-7, but the Chargers capitalized later in the quarter on a Justin Jackson 75-yard run that set up another score.

Then came the Patriots! Or so we thought …

A nine-play, the 74-yard drive resulted in zero points when the offense couldn’t cash in on 4th and Goal from the one-yard line. On what was originally a 1st and Goal from the four, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels called THREE pass plays — the last of which came on fourth down. Why?

What in the world were the Patriots doing in the first half?

A fade? You needed ONE yard on two plays. How many times in the previous era of Patriots football did we see them bust it up the gut or push the pile forward with a QB sneak on such short situations?

OK. This happened, though, and they got zero points. At the very least, the Chargers were pinned back on their own one-yard line. Force a three-and-out and you’ve got good field position, right?

GREAT field position, in fact, thanks to Gunner Olszewski.

Except, it took the offense nine plays to go 30 yards. McDaniels called two more throws on 2nd and 5 and 3rd and 5 from the Chargers’ six-yard line. You’re averaging nearly 4.5 yards per carry and Jones is averaging 5.7 yards per attempt. It’s clear where the Patriots have the advantage and what the Chargers are defending more efficiently.

This team is at its best when the rushing attack is controlling the game, especially in the red zone. Would we advise a run every single time? No. But when you’re knocking at the door and the ground game is working, maybe stick with that for a majority of the play calls when you have five or fewer yards to go.

The Pats are only down 14-13, but it feels like they should be up two scores at this point. Now they’ll have a tight battle in the second half when they could’ve been playing a lot more comfortably.

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