An impressive first half against the Bills last Sunday set the stage for what the Patriots could be once the playoffs begin. Despite the narrative going into the game that they weren't a legitimate threat, they proved, in every respect, that they actually were and set the blueprint for their success over the final three games.
The only problem is that they didn't maintain that performance for the entire game, allowed the Bills to score on five consecutive drives, and eventually lost.
There are many reasons for their downfall beyond their lackluster defensive effort, most notably a noticeable shift in offensive production and the absence of Stefon Diggs, which prompted one NFL analyst to suggest an under-the-radar issue with Josh McDaniels' game planning.
The Patriots need to adjust their offense this week, or risk losing again
While discussing last week's game, Steven Ruiz of The Ringer pointed out how involved wide receiver Mack Hollins was for the offense, and how that might have been a reason for their demise; not only due to Diggs' lack of inclusion, but because Hollins only recorded 41 yards by the end of the game, so making him the clear WR1 all afternoon made little sense.
Although he had a few explosive plays, it wasn't enough to keep the offense afloat, even more so with Hunter Henry being invisible, too.
"Maye and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels have been on fire all season, but this was a bad second half for both. McDaniels’s play calling didn’t give his second-year quarterback much of a chance or create any opportunities for the Pats’ best receivers.
There was a shocking number of Mack Hollins targets. He led the team with eight attempts thrown his way, and those plays produced just 41 yards and lost two expected points, per TruMedia."
While Hollins is not the most popular player in the eyes of those in New England, he has had some big moments that helped the offense move down the field, and he isn't considered the most threatening to opposing defenses, so it's unsurprising that he saw the most action against the Bills.
However, McDaniels needs to be better at creating opportunities for their best players to be open, especially when Diggs and Henry have been security blankets for Maye for much of this season and could have been the boost needed to get the Patriots back in the game.
That will need to be changed against the Ravens this week, with so much on the line, and they'll have to figure out a way to accomplish it. The playoffs are now the focus, so playing their best and smartest football is an absolute must.