What We Saw: Week 7

Ben Brown
What We Saw 4 Years Ago
Series Navigation
Introduction
Broncos @ Browns
Panthers @ Giants
Jets @ Patriots
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Chiefs @ Titans
Football Team @ Packers
Falcons @ Dolphins
Lions @ Rams
Eagles @ Raiders
Texans @ Cardinals
Bears @ Buccaneers
Colts @ 49ers

Jets @ Patriots

Final Score: Patriots 54, Jets 13

Writer: Chris Sanzo (@Doombot12_FF on Twitter)

 

This game was over before it was played. The Jets had the bye week prior to this game and you could have convinced me it was reversed. The Jets came in with a vanilla offensive game plan with constant gap runs for minimal gains, leaving themselves in long, predictable passing downs. New England used trick plays, switched schemes on the fly, and created havoc in the pass rush. To put it bluntly, Bill Belichick just outcoached Robert Saleh and it wasn’t particularly close. If you’re looking for the headlines leaving this game, you’ll see a lot of Mac Jones getting his first career 300-yard game and Zach Wilson leaving the game hurt, but really it’s Bill rolls Saleh to a 54-13 victory.

 

 

New York Jets

 

Quarterback

 

Zach Wilson: 6/10,  51 yards

Mike White:   20/32 , 202 yards, TD, 2 INT

 

Wilson played well early, but the story for New York is how he had his knee driven into the ground on a sack by Matthew Judon. Prior to this, there was a questionable missed call for “Roughing the Passer” on a low, late hit by Lawrence Guy. However, that was his left knee and is reportedly not an issue.

After seeing the reports from Ian Rapoport and others, it appears the PCL sprain will keep him shelved, with short-term IR being a real possibility as a grade 2 sprain would be a 2-4 week recovery period and does not require surgery according to multiple sources. If the MRI on Monday reveals further damage, they will obviously reassess the timeline.

 

Mike White filled in admirably for Wilson, wasting no time getting them on the scoreboard. He hit Corey Davis in the back of the end zone throwing between two defenders and letting Davis go up and get it. That type of trust is rare in a backup quarterback. Assuming White is forced to play the next few weeks, there were more than enough flashes to give Jets fans some hope that at least it can’t get worse.

 

Running Backs

 

Michael Carter: 11 carries, 37 yards | 9 targets, 8 receptions, 67 yards

Ty Johnson: 5 carries, 6 yards | 7 targets, 6 receptions, 65 yards

 

This was an underwhelming duo on the ground, but both provided stability late for the passing game. Ty Johnson was running with purpose and met every hit with speed. He had a touchdown called back early, but the eventual score made it a moot point outside of fantasy scoring. He played with elusiveness and a spark that could come with more opportunity as his counterpart, Michael Carter was also ineffective on the ground, although it isn’t entirely his blame. Carter was running into brick walls all day and was lucky to average over 3 ypc. He fumbled very late, but down 41, I don’t think there’s going to be too much pushback from the coaching staff. Other than late dumpoffs though, this was a forgettable game for them.

 

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

 

Corey Davis: 6 targets, 4 receptions, 47 yards, TD

Elijah Moore: 6 targets, 1 reception, 13 yards | 1 carry, 19 yards

Jamison Crowder: 6 targets, 4 receptions, 34 yards

Keelan Cole: 2 targets, 1 reception, 6 yards

Ryan Griffin: 2 targets, 1 reception, 15 yards

Denzel Mims: 2 targets, 1 reception, 6 yards

Trevon Wesco: 1 target

 

Corey Davis was one of the lone bright spots today, despite receiving double teams when he attempted to stretch the field, he was the only dependable downfield target. He was able to help out his QB and came down with a high pass that was more of a jump ball than he’d like and was able to create separation while the rest struggled. Not that either Jets QB had time to find them, but Davis has really developed into a WR1 for this team.

 

 

Elijah Moore now has his first career touchdown. However, he is still waiting on his first touchdown reception. On one of the only intriguing plays the Jets ran, Moore was able to show off his elusiveness as he scored on the 19-yard carry. Mike White may not be the ideal QB for Moore as he cannot seem to gauge his speed yet downfield or the boundary for that matter. He was overthrown badly a few times as Mike LaFleur refused to manufacture touches for Moore and they left a lot of opportunity out there today.

 

 

Ryan Griffin had a poor game and still can’t cement himself as a reliable contributing figure, but he did catch Zach Wilson’s nicest pass of the game before Wilson got knocked out of the game.

 

 

New England Patriots

 

Quarterback

 

Mac Jones: 24/36, 307 yards, 2 TD | 3 carries, 19 yards

Brian Hoyer: 3/4, 79 yards | 3 carries, -3 yards

 

Mac Jones now officially has his first career 300-yard game. It wasn’t exactly as impressive as it looks on paper as the first quarter was mostly filled with one yard outs and screens, but part of the Patriots game plan is executing them to perfection and he’s proving he can do it. He once again showed poise and moved well in the pocket, shifting well behind his lineman and helping them pick up big blocks.

As the game went on, you could tell he was getting into a rhythm and started hitting longer shots downfield. He was pressing to the second level when earlier, he was happy to take the one or two-yard target in the flat. I would bet he tripled his aDOT between his first quarter and through his finish in the mid-4th quarter.  At one point in the broadcast, the commentators touched on the long pass game being absent from their game and how this is a much-needed element. And to their credit, they were correct.  When this deep pass to Kendrick Bourne hit him in stride on a go route, it’s understandable that it would draw a huge reaction.

The other QB to play today was long-time backup Brian Hoyer. He also played well, helping the offense to cap off a monster day and came out firing. The secondary seemed off balance when given the more aggressive Hoyer, even when throwing to the likes of Gunner Olszewski.

 

Running Backs

 

Damien Harris: 14 carries, 106 yards, 2 TD | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 7 yards

J.J. Taylor: 9 carries, 21 yards, 2 TD | 1 target, 1 reception, 5 yards

Brandon Bolden: 2 carries, 0 yards | 7 targets, 6 receptions, 79 yards, TD

Jakob Johnson: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 32 yards

 

The Jets missed C.J. Mosley. Damien Harris fed on these linebackers all game. He could not be contained. Every time he touched the ball he was gashing the Jets interior for a 10-yard run. When it wasn’t him on the ground, it was Brandon Bolden in the passing game. Aside from leading the team in receiving yards, he also caught a beautiful throw on a counter screen from Mac that just floated over the defense and landed pillowy soft into his hands. The Patriots backs just exploited the Jets all game and New York had no answer. By the time the Patriots had 17 points, Mac had negative air yards. The plan was wildly effective as even their fullback, Jakob Johnson, was able to haul in a couple targets. Harris has now rattled off a couple 100-yard games in a row, and if the blocking holds up as it has, this team is going to make noise.

 

 

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

 

Kendrick Bourne: 4 targets, 4 receptions, 68 yards | 1/1, 25 yards, TD

Jakobi Meyers: 7 targets, 5 receptions, 44 yards

Nelson Agholor: 5 targets, 2 reception, 51 yards, TD

Hunter Henry: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 23 yards, TD

Jonnu Smith: 5 targets, 2 receptions, 52 yards | 1 carry, 5 yards

N’Keal Harry: 2 targets, 1 reception, 28 yards

Gunner Olszewski: 1 target, 1 reception, 22 yards

 

Raise your hand if you predicted a touchdown pass from Kendrick Bourne to Nelson Agholor. If you raised your hand, just know that I am calling you a liar. It was not quite Tom Brady-like form, but it got there and that’s all that matters.

 

 

There were 11 players targeted today for New England, including the rare N’Keal Harry highlight. He made a great catch over a defender, reminding us that he exists and can still make plays on occasion. Jakobi Meyers was not needed much but converted 3rd downs as he does when called upon. Sadly, I cannot report a touchdown. The tight ends proved valuable again. Jonnu Smith looked good early in the first half getting a carry and 5 targets, including a 28 yard tight end screen.  However, he did not come out for the 2nd half. The only reports I have seen for him have just said shoulder sprain.

 

Taking the main share of Smith’s work was Hunter Henry. Coming into the year, one of the more common beliefs was that Henry would get the majority of the red zone work and Jonnu would control 20 to 20 play. Henry has lived up to his end of the bargain with scores in now four straight games. He was not looking to be featured early, but with Jonnu out, Henry was their primary tight end. He is the more complete player when compared to Jonnu so his red zone work and blocking may be more important to this team than Jonnu’s yac. He worked to open holes for Harris and gives Bill no reason to take him off the field.

 

 

— Chris Sanzo (@Doombot12_FF on Twitter)

Series Navigation
Introduction
Broncos @ Browns
Panthers @ Giants
Jets @ Patriots
Bengals @ Ravens
Chiefs @ Titans
Football Team @ Packers
Falcons @ Dolphins
Lions @ Rams
Eagles @ Raiders
Texans @ Cardinals
Bears @ Buccaneers
Colts @ 49ers

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