In Week Six, my prediction was half-right, the Pats won but they did not blow out the plucky Saints.
I am trying to figure out how much influence Coach Vrabel has on offensive play-calling. Some of the drives make no sense. The team is playing well, but he is relying on the play of budding superstar and a young, energetic team. There are clear flaws on this team.
Drake Maye continues to develop into a high-level QB. His decision making with the ball in his hands is beyond the normal ascension curve for second-year QBs over the last three weeks. He is far and away the best player on the team, although his pass-protection has been elite. His growth should continue.
Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels had a bad game. Again. The run game is just not good, despite the growth of the young offensive line. Yes, the backs are doing things that make no sense (like run into tackler’s arms), and fumbling has been an issue. That said, how many runs into the line of scrimmage should be called a game? Can we get these players out into space? Can we use draw plays? Can we use misdirection with Maye on the ground?
Maye should not be the leading rusher with 28 yards like he was this week. McDaniels has to get better.
The defense remained good and better on third down, but they really benefitted from 6 balls to Chris Olave and Raheed Shahid that may not go down as ‘drops’ but really should be caught. I thought Spencer Rattler played well enough to keep the Saints close, but his weapons let him down. Juwan Johnson’s fumble was brutal, and really a gift. Carlton Davis and Christian Gonzalez are playing lights out. They have yet to play their best, and as they develop this is a great defensive backfield.
Stefon Diggs had an okay game, and had two horrible calls against him. There is nothing else to say you haven’t heard, but those calls were both just awful. It is hard not to think the refs are corrupt.
Old Grumbly Fan Predictions
4-2 so far on the straight up win line. This week should be a blowout. Titans just lost their head coach, and the team is just poorly built. It is a revenge game for Vrabel, and the Pats love him, so you might see some long pass plays in the 4th with the Pats up.
Pats 56 – Titans 12
