The New England Patriots are 3-2 with an offense far better than last year's. Drake Maye has taken the next step, scoring nine total touchdowns to only two interceptions, while Stefon Diggs looks like a man reborn. Their 25 points per game sets them twelfth in the league, up from last season's 30th rank, ahead of the Chiefs and Rams.
Despite this, the Patriots have the opportunity to become a more potent offense by passing the ball even more. Currently, the team calls pass plays 15th most in the league at 57.4% of the time. That marks them 18th in the league in running calls, with a 42.6% run play percentage. Compared to what we're used to, that might seem like a pass-heavy offense, but it isn't in actuality.
As mentioned, a near 60% pass rate slots the Patriots below 14 other teams. The Bengals pass the ball the most, upwards of 65% of the time. As a matter of fact, a 50% run play call rate would slot a team joint most in the league with the Bills and Seahawks.
The bill we've been sold for evening out the pass and run game to 50/50 is a false one. By today's standards, the NFL significantly sides with the pass game -- and for the Patriots, it still hasn't been enough passing.
The Patriots need to pass the ball far more than they have to start the 2025 season
The Patriots have no excuse for not being among the most pass-heavy teams in football. They rank 27th in the league in rushing yards per game, but also come in at 18th, as mentioned previously. That makes the run game a losing battle. The passing game is overperforming, achieving a top-seven ranking despite having a middle-of-the-pack number of play calls (15th).
With the running backs being thinned further due to Antonio Gibson's injury, there shouldn't be much onus on running the ball. Rhamondre Stevenson's 2024 fumbling issues have persisted, and rookie TreVeyon Henderson hasn't been able to get going.
No doubt, excessive passing comes with its setbacks. In the two games in which Maye passed the ball the most this season, the Patriots lost and allowed nine sacks compared to eight in the other three. To look at this on its own, though, doesn't tell the whole story.
The run game was especially poor in Week 1, while in Week 3, the Patriots turned the ball over five times. In Weeks 2 and 4, when Maye passed less, he was incredibly efficient, and the team also saw phenomenal special teams play. This past week, passing was once again the primary way they moved the ball.
The Patriots will face the Saints on Sunday for the first time without Gibson. Relying on Stevenson, Henderson, and either Terrell Jennings or Jashaun Corbin as practice squad elevations seems like a recipe for disaster. Continuing the passing momentum they had against the Bills seems like the best game plan.
While the Saints are 1-4, their passing defense hasn't been all that bad. In fact, they allow the ninth fewest passing yards per game. Still, they allowed 44 points against Seattle and 31 against Buffalo. Their sound performances against the Cardinals and Giants are noteworthy, but neither team is an impressive offense.
Kool-Aid McKinstry and Alontae Taylor start as outside corners for the Saints, with rookie Jonas Sanker and Justin Reid over the top. Former BC Eagle Isaac Yiadom starts in the slot. It isn't a bad group, but if Maye and company can pass like they did last week and avoid turnovers from Stevenson, passing should no doubt ramp up to secure the win against a lowly NFC South squad.