DENVER — Their perfect season went down the drain, and Rob Gronkowski had to be carted off with a knee injury, but Sunday night’s 30-24 loss to the Denver Broncos wasn’t all bad for the New England Patriots.
They were able to consistently pressure Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler, and their offensive line was considerably better than it was one week ago.
Check out this week’s advanced passing stats from the Patriots’ first loss of the season.
PASS COVERAGE
Game stats:
Malcolm Butler: 4-7, 85 yards, PBU
Logan Ryan: 2-10, 40 yards, TD, four PBUs
Jonathan Freeny: 4-5, 35 yards
Devin McCourty: 2-2, 28 yards, PBU
Jerod Mayo: 1-2, 20 yards
Tavon Wilson: 2-2, 16 yards
Darius Fleming: 2-3, 15 yards
Dont’a Hightower: 2-2, 8 yards
Rashaan Melvin: 1-1, 8 yards
Patrick Chung: 1-6, 7 yards, PBU
Alan Branch: three PBUs
Chandler Jones: INT
Jabaal Sheard: PBU
Nate Ebner: PBU
— Ryan was spectacular until late in the fourth quarter, when he allowed a 36-yard catch and a 4-yard touchdown reception. It still was a very impressive performance as Ryan took on Broncos wideout Demaryius Thomas one-on-one for most of the game. Even with the touchdown, Ryan still allowed just a 77.5 passer rating.
— Chung put forth another spectacular effort, though he did get called for holding, negating an 8-yard sack and keeping the Broncos alive to take a late lead. The penalty did appear to be a little suspect, however.
Season stats:
PASS RUSH
Game stats:
Jabaal Sheard: two QB hits, three hurries
Alan Branch: three QB hits, hurry
Jerod Mayo: two QB hits, hurry
Chandler Jones: three hurries
Dominique Easley: two hurries
Malcom Brown: sack, hurry
Jonathan Freeny: sack, hurry
Rob Ninkovich: sack
Tavon Wilson: QB hit
Akiem Hicks: hurry
— Sheard has been solid as a pass rusher in every game he has played, and this week was no exception.
— This was Branch’s best game as a pass rusher. He also had a sack called back for Chung’s holding penalty.
— Jerod Mayo and Jonathan Freeny were involved in what was the Patriots’ most consistent pass-rushing performance.
Season stats:
PASS PROTECTION
Game stats:
Shaq Mason: sack, three QB hits
Josh Kline: sack, two QB hits, hurry
Marcus Cannon: three QB hits
Bryan Stork: sack, QB hit
— Sebastian Vollmer and Tre’ Jackson didn’t allow any pressure, though Jackson was flagged for holding.
— Cannon had trouble with Von Miller, which is understandable, since he’s one of the best pass rushers in the NFL.
— Vollmer played left tackle with Cannon at right tackle. Mason and Jackson rotated snaps with Kline playing both left and right guard. Bryan Stork played the whole game at center, and rookie David Andrews didn’t receive a single snap.
Season stats:
PASSING ACCURACY
1. Dropped by Scott Chandler
2. Pass broken up by Brandon Marshall over Chandler
3. Under pressure
4. Thrown out of bounds toward Rob Gronkowski
5. Intentionally thrown out of bounds
6. Dropped by Brandon LaFell
7. Overthrow to LaFell
8. Thrown in front of Gronkowski
9. Overthrow to Chandler
10. Overthrow to Chandler
11. Overthrow to Chandler
12. Throwaway
13. Thrown behind Gronkowski
14. Overthrow to LaFell
15. Thrown behind Gronkowski
16. Under pressure
17. Under pressure
18. Pass broken up by Aqib Talib over LaFell
19. Under pressure
— Nine of Brady’s 19 incompletions were due to inaccuracy, two passes were dropped, two were thrown away, two were broken up and four were misfires while under pressure.
Thumbnail photo via Chris Humphreys/USA TODAY Sports Images
