The New England Patriots lost a winnable game against a very good Chicago Bears team, 30-24. Once again, the turnover bug bit the resurgent Drake Maye, as he floated an ill-advised pass
toward the end zone for Eli Raridon that wound up in the hands of Bears linebacker D'Marco Jackson.
It cost the Patriots an important scoring attempt, and maybe the game. Another poor decision, another big turnover.
While that was the game's only turnover, it was a game-changer. The Patriots' running game also contributed mightily to the loss.
Maye led all Patriots rushers with 26 yards. The three backs, Rhamondre Stevenson, Corey Kiner, and TreVeyon Henderson, combined for 44 rushing yards. It was a rough showing for the Patriots, who couldn't stop the run on defense either, allowing 116 yards on the ground.
Whenever your quarterback leads the team in rushing with 26 yards, your offense has a big problem, and it's been evident all season long. The offensive line, whether it was the original starting five or the current line with two backups inserted at guard, isn't opening enough holes for the backs.
The Patriots are relying on Drake Maye to overcome an offense making his job harder
Contrary arguments will say that the Patriots passing offense, absent Maye's devastating interception, was solid. Maye finished 24 of 31 passing for 321 yards and two touchdowns. But the offensive line surrendered two sacks, and Maye was pressured on 42.9% of his dropbacks, per Next Gen Stats.
Two major questions have to be asked. No. 1, why wasn't first-round draft pick Caleb Lomu utilized more after a stellar performance in Week 6 against the Jets? And No. 2, when are the Patriots' offensive coaches going to adjust and become less predictable?
Lomu completely neutralized rising Jets pass-rusher David Bailey. It's arguable that he should have started at right tackle on Thursday over the banged-up Morgan Moses.
Lomu at least should have supplanted one of the third-string guards, Matt Pryor or Walter Rouse. Lomu is a better option at guard than anyone ahead of him right now.
The Patriots may be able to get away with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels' vanilla play-calling against middling teams, but when you face a good team like the Bears, it often leads to early deficits. New England had two drives in the first quarter that totaled 7 yards on Thursday. It was 10-0 before the offense finally gained a rhythm.
Inserting Lomu as a starter feels like a no-brainer. He'll improve both the run- and pass-blocking. It's also time for McDaniels to stop trying to shoehorn Maye into a Tom Brady-like offense and insert more deception and play action.
The only thing now separating the 4-3 Patriots from being a losing team is Maye's pinpoint passing and his ability to scramble out of trouble and make off-script plays.
The onus for change has now shifted to Mike Vrabel. It's time for the head coach to make these changes before it's too late.
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