In week two of the New England Patriots preseason game versus the Green Bay Packers, we saw many positives and some negatives from the Patriots.
One huge red flag is the continued problems up front on the offensive line.
Early in the game, with the starters playing, Mac Jones constantly tried to avoid pressure from the Packers. In the limited action that Jones saw as the first-string quarterback, the third-year pro was sacked two times. Even on plays where he was not sacked, he was forced to craftily navigate the pocket and evade pressure in order to move the ball down the field.
One of these sacks was a strip sack that gave the ball back to Green Bay. After the strip sack, Mac Jones's night was done to save him from taking any more hits behind a struggling offensive group up front.
#Packers LB Kingsley Enagbare is a ONE MAN WRECKING CREW 😤
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) August 20, 2023
pic.twitter.com/b9DLTYeOnx
Throughout the night, media and fans watching the game noticed how much of a struggle the offensive line was. With skill positions and even the quarterback play up to snuff, it was tough to watch the whole operation fall apart due to the poor line play.
Watching the Patriots offensive line this Preseason has been unpleasant.
— Pats Buzz (@PatsBuzz) August 20, 2023
After scoring on their opening drive, the Patriots' shaky OL situation shows up to stop the team's second and third drives.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 20, 2023
OTs Sidy Sow and Andrew Stueber beaten on edges for sacks, with Stueber putting Mac Jones in jeopardy as hit came from the blindside (lost fumble).
The first-team offense for the Patriots was able to move the ball okay despite the offensive line struggles.
Jones and the offense were even able to convert on a couple of thirds and longs to move the chains. The former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback found rookie wide receiver Demario, Douglas to convert a 3rd and ten, as well as linking up with veteran Kendrick Bourne to convert a 3rd & 8.
Not a sack, but another shot taken by Mac Jones when rookie Atonio Mafi and second-year tackle Andrew Stueber (who didn't play last year) seem to lose track of Packers pass rushers because of a stunt. https://t.co/LV1slnNDpd
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) August 20, 2023
As I mentioned earlier in the week, the offensive line was a concern coming into this game, and they did nothing to make anyone feel any better. Of course, the line is dealing with injuries to their guards, Mike Onwenu and Cole Strange, but the group they trotted out o Saturday night wasn't cutting it.
As the game moved on and backups came in, the line problem didn't get any better. Hopefully, the line can get sure'd up before playing one of the best defensive lines in the league on week one in the Philadelphia Eagles.