The Pats looked like they were in a transition year in 2010, but they blew the doors off that notion with a surprising regular season. There’s a lot of promise with this young roster, and the Patriots are locked and loaded with three of the first 33 picks in April’s draft.
With Sunday’s loss, the future of this organization is all they can really focus on at this point.
OFFENSE
Tom Brady looked out of sorts after he threw his first interception in three months, and he never got close to finding a rhythm. Then, there was the 14-play drive that ate up nearly eight minutes and yielded zero points in the fourth quarter. This looked nothing like the offense that led the NFL in scoring.
Jeff Howe: D
What grade would you give the Patriots’ offense?survey software
DEFENSE
Aside from two plays — Jerricho Cotchery‘s 58-yard reception and Shonn Greene‘s 16-yard touchdown run — the defense really played pretty well and kept the team in the game. The Jets’ average starting field position was their own 45-yard line, and the Jets crossed the 50-yard line five times without scoring.
Jeff Howe: B
What grade would you give the Patriots’ defense?survey software
SPECIAL TEAMS
The blown fake punt set up the Jets’ second touchdown before the half, and Antonio Cromartie had some success on kickoff returns. However, Julian Edelman‘s 41-yard punt return and Shane Graham‘s two field goals saved this unit from a failing grade.
Jeff Howe: D
What grade would you give the Patriots’ special teams?Market Research
COACHING
It’s hard to tell how much of the poor offensive execution could really be placed on the coaching staff, but the Patriots’ slow possession midway through the fourth quarter was a disaster. It’s one thing to rely on the running game in that situation — seven of those 14 plays were designed runs — but there was too much huddling going on between plays that ate up some valuable clock.
Jeff Howe: D
What grade would you give the Patriots’ coaching?Market Research
GAME PLAN
The Patriots needed to stop the run to force Mark Sanchez into passing situations, especially on third down. The Jets ran 29 times for 120 yards (4.1 yards per carry) and one touchdown, and their ground game was better late in the game. Yet, Sanchez was errant on key third-down throws, so the Patriots had some success with about half of that objective.
Jeff Howe: D+
What grade would you give the Patriots’ game plan?survey software
