New England Patriots vs. New Orleans Saints Snaps & Grades: More Fs For Mac Jones, Offense?

Patriots Country breaks down the numbers and possible meanings behind the Pats’ playing time in New England’s Week 5 loss to the New Orleans Saints.

FOXBORO — Following their disastrous 34-0 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 5 at Gillette Stadium — their second such loss in as many weeks — the New England Patriots (1-4) continue to take stock into their performance on both sides of the ball.

Having turned in an overwhelmingly negative performance, there Patriots coaches are seeking improvement by any and all means necessary — including “starting over.” While game-film analysis will be the main focus, a look at playing time may assist the team in helping devise effective strategies moving forward.

Here is a look at the Patriots snap counts, along with a grade for each position grouping.

OFFENSE

On offense, the Pats overall snap count was 54 versus the Saints.

NFL Game Summary: New England Patriots vs. New Orleans Saints 8 Oct. 2023 - Offense Snaps / NFL Copyright © 2023 by The National Football League

QUARTERBACKS

Starter Mac Jones completed only 12 of 22 pass attempts for 110 yards with two interceptions (one of which was returned for a touchdown) before being relegated to the bench for the second straight week. Jones was replaced by Bailey Zappe just over 13 minutes remaining in the game. In four drives, Zappe completed only three of nine passes for 22 yards in relief duty, leading the Pats to two three-and-outs and two failed fourth-down conversations. Still, Jones' future understandably remains the story of the afternoon. The Alabama product's dismal 30.5 quarterback rating has fans and media wondering not only if a change is in the team's best interest, but also necessary at this point. Despite his receiving a tepid approbation from both Bill Belichick and Bill O’Brien, the call for Jones’ job will increase tenfold if he falters against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. 

Grade: F

RUNNING BACKS

New England's running game once again found itself in a holding pattern, unable to gain any traction. Both Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott managed a collective 45 yards on 16 carries. Though the offensive line has struggled to open adequate rushing lanes, the Pats rushers must find a way to break tackles and gain yards on their own steam. Thus far, neither Stevenson nor Elliott have been able to gain yards on early downs to facilitate play action. That needs to change this week in Las Vegas. 

Grade: D

RECEIVERS

Patriots receivers also served more of the dismal same, with a side of slight regression. JuJu Smith-Schuster led the group with three catches, yet managed only six yards before leaving the game with a head injury in the second half. Kendrick Bourne had only two catches for 43 yards, despite playing on 87 percent of New England’s snaps. Rookie Demario Douglas delivered the game’s only offensive highlight with an impressive a 24-yard reception on a Mac Jones pass with 5:40 remaining in the first quarter. Yes, the Pats receivers have been given little with which to work. Unfortunately, few [if any] have shown themselves capable of raising the level of play on offense. 

Grade: D 

TIGHT ENDS

Typically the hallmark of a Bill O’Brien-style offense, the use of two-tight end sets has largely fallen flat during the Pats two-game skid. Hunter Henry was held catchless after being targeted twice, while Mike Gesicki caught only two passes for 17 yards. Week 3 hero Pharaoh Brown saw action on just 11 snaps, mostly in blocking duty. Though New England’s tight end group has been the least of the Pats offensive concerns this season, their silence over the past two weeks has been a major factor in their downfall.  

Grade: D

Quarterback Mac Jones and the New England Patriots suffered their second crushing loss in as many weeks to the New Orleans Saints in Week 5

OFFENSIVE LINE

The Pats’ starting unit featured Trent Brown at left tackle, Atonio Mafi at left guard, David Andrews at center, Michael Onwenu at right guard and Vederian Lowe at right tackle. At the end of the day, the line allowed a 45.8 percent pressure rate on Jones' 24 drop-backs. Sunday marked the third-straight week New England's unit has been over 43 percent. Lowe allowed a sack and four hurries, while Mafi, surrendered a team-high six quarterback pressures. In addition to making life much tougher for Jones, the offensive line struggled to adequately block for the Pats rushers, who were stuffed on five of their 17 runs. Fundamentally unsound and emotionally apathetic is no way for an offensive line to go through life. 

Grade: F

DEFENSE

On defense, the Pats overall snap count was 72 versus the Saints.

NFL Game Summary: New England Patriots vs. New Orleans Saints 8 Oct. 2023 - Defense Snaps / NFL Copyright © 2023 by The National Football League

DEFENSIVE LINE

With quarterback Derek Carr nursing a shoulder injury, the Saints entered Week 5 hoping to find ways to effectively run the football. Though the Pats defensive line held them to 3.1 yards-per-carry,  they still yielded 80 yards and a touchdown to New Orleans top back Alvin Kamara in only his second game back from suspension. The line did not fare much better in applying pressure to the passer, even with Deatrich Wise Jr. [46 snaps] playing the interior alongside the defensive tackles. While the unit was not catastrophically bad [see ‘Offensive Line’ above,] they displayed far from their best effort against New Orleans. 

Grade: C- 

LINEBACKERS

With linebacker Matthew Judon likely out until December due to a torn biceps tendon, Anfernee Jennings and Josh Uche manned edges, with rookie Keion White taking 39 snaps in reserve duty at linebacker. Still, New England struggled to generate a consistent pass rush. Beyond Ja’Whaun Bentley’s sack on Carr in the first quarter, the Pats defensive front failed to generate any additional quarterback hits or tackles for loss. Jennings made the most of his 46 snaps, earning five total tackles and one run stuff. While the personnel are unlikely to change heading into Week 6, the Pats found out firsthand just how difficult it will be to replicate Judon's prowess in their defensive front. 

Grade: C

CORNERBACKS

With Christian Gonzalez presumedly lost for the season, the Pats leaned heavily on Myles Bryant [54 snaps] and Jonathan Jones, who played on 67 percent of the teams snaps on defense in his first game back from an ankle injury. Bryant was among the very few Patriots to show heart and grit in Week 5 — registering five tackles [one, for loss,] one quarterback hit and a coverage sack on a cornerback blitz. J.C. Jackson aligned for a mix of both perimeter and slot duty on 36 defensive snaps, while logging one solo tackle. 

Grade: C

SAFETIES

Kyle Dugger led all safeties by taking 62 snaps [86 percent] while logging six tackles, and a would-be interception of a Carr pass on third-and-8 late in the third quarter. Still, the Pats supporting cast at the position did not provide enough pop in the defensive backfield to keep Carr out of his rhythm. Despite taking just 15 snaps, logged three tackles, while Jabrill Peppers earned the same total while aligning on 53 defensive plays. New England’s safety group has arguably been its strongest unit through five games. Chalk this one up to getting lost in the team’s dispirited overall effort.

Grade: C

Up Next:

The Patriots travel west to Las Vegas for a Week 6 matchup with old friend Josh McDaniels and the Raiders. Kickoff is set for 4:05 p.m. ET from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

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