Patriots-Jets Snaps and Grades: Football F, Snow A?

Patriots Country breaks down the numbers and implications behind the Pats’ playing time in New England’s Week 18 loss to the New York Jets

As the New England Patriots continue to mull over the decisions which may shape the course of their franchise for years to come — primarily the fate of head coach Bill Belichick — they are also attempting to digest their 17-3 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday at Gillette Stadium, 

Heading into the offseason, there are plenty of areas in which the Patriots will seek improvement. While the future of the organization is as uncertain as it has been in nearly a quarter century, game film (such as their Week 18 season-finale, will assist the Pats in helping to devise effective strategies moving forward.

Here is a look at the Patriots offensive and defensive snap counts from Sunday’s loss, along with a grade for each positional group.

New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe (4) looks to pass the ball against the New York Jets in the second half at Gillette Stadium / Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

OFFENSE

On offense, the Pats overall snap count was 57 versus the Jets.

NFL Game Summary: New England Patriots vs. New York Jets,  7 Jan. 2024 - Offense Snaps / NFL Copyright © 2024 by The National Football League

QUARTERBACK

Bailey Zappe went on to complete 12-of-30 passes for 88 yards in another lackluster effort. Still, the traction issues the Pats second-year starter experienced paled in comparison to the hard-hitting Jets defense, which logged seven sacks, totaling 57 yards lost. Ultimately, Zappe’s struggles with putting the ball in harm’s way led to two second-half interceptions — one of which helped set up Jets running back Breece Halls’s 50-yard touchdown run. He also had difficulty reaching his targets on several occasions, falling short of connecting on passes to Gesicki, DeVante Parker and Pharaoh Brown. Though a notable slices of blame pie should be served to both the weather conditions and poor pass protection from the offensive line, Zappe still has significant improvements to make heading into 2024.

Grade: D

RUNNING BACKS

Despite the dismal output on offense, running back Ezekiel Elliott has a serviceable day as both a rusher and backfield receiver. Elliott carried the ball 13 timed for 54 yards, while logging five receptions for 24 yards. Second-year rusher Kevin Harris rushed three times for only four yards, along with one catch for four yards. While the steady stream of snow contributed to their lack of production, New England’s rushing tandem was expected to deliver more than their eventual output — especially in the inclement weather conditions. 

Grade: C

RECEIVERS

Rookie DeMario Douglas led all Pats’ receivers with two catches for 13 yards — adequately describing the effectiveness of the position in Week 18. Their best chance at a scoring drive came in the second quarter, when Zappe found receiver Jalen Reagor for a 33-yard gain. Though a delay-of-game call on the wideout would set the play back five yards, the advancement  was more than enough to bring the Pats deep into New York territory. Beyond that, DeVante Parker earned only one catch for six yards. Though Zappe’s inability to connect with his pass-catchers played a notable role in their struggles, the group’s failure to get open in short yardage contributed to a dismal day across the board. 

Grade: C-

TIGHT ENDS

Playing without their captain (Hunter Henry) for the third straight game, the Pats tight ends were mostly ineffective throughout the contest. Despite the coverage engulfing him for much of the game, Mike Gesicki was in position to snag a second-quarter touchdown on acrobatic grab in the end zone. However, Jets safety Tony Adams stayed with the play, and knocked the ball loose before Gesicki was ruled for the catch. He was credited for only one catch for five yards. Pharaoh Brown served mostly as an in-line blocker, logging one reception for a zero-yard gain. 

Grade: C

OFFENSIVE LINE

With left tackle Trent Brown shelved due to illness, Vederian Lowe got the starting nod. Despite recovering Gesicki’s forced fumble in the fourth quarter, he was still credited with allowing two sacks and five quarterback hurries. Overall the entire unit — consisting of Mike Onwenu (right tackle,) Sidy Sow (right guard,) Jake Andrews (left guard) and David Andrews (center) — struggled in pass protection, allowing seven sacks on Zappe. Moving into 2024, New England must also find a way to improve the line’s ability to identify and react to post-snap movement. The issues had by both Elliott and Harris in running into blocked lanes stunted their running game far too often in 2023. 

Grade: D

DEFENSE

On defense, the Pats overall snap count was 65 versus the Jets.

NFL Game Summary: New England Patriots vs. New York Jets,  7 Jan. 2024 - Defense Snaps / NFL Copyright © 2024 by The National Football League

DEFENSIVE LINE

Having entered the contest with the top run defense in the NFL, the unit finally succumbed to both fatigue and a lack of fair weather, surrendering 178 rushing yards to Breece Hall — including the aforementioned 50-yard scoring ride. While Hall is a top-tier running back, the Pats appeared unable to adjust to his style throughout the game. For a unit which often adapted to counteracting the strengths of its opponents, the defensive line proved to be ill-prepared to match the Jets against the run, as well as the pass. The lone bright spot in Week 18 was Christian Barmore, who finished the game with 10 total tackles (two, for loss) and a quarterback hit. 

Grade: C

LINEBACKERS

New England’s linebackers arguably comprised the team’s best performing unit. Ja’Whaun Bentley alighted on every defense snap, finishing the day with 10 tackles and a half-sack on Jets quarterback Trevor Siemian, on which he combined with fellow linebacker Mack Wilson. Jahlani Tavai ended his stellar season with six tackles. Still, the corps’ top performer was Anfernee Jennings, who made a strong case as the team’s most improved player. Jennings seven tackles (three, for loss) one quarterback hit and four run stuffs. 

Grade: B

CORNERBACKS

Jets receiver Garrett Wilson was held to only two catches on the day for 34 yards, one of which went for a 30-yard gain. While the Patriots would normally be ecstatic with that stat line, the weather — as well as the Jets problems at quarterback — played as much of a role in their lack of production as the secondary. Jonathan Jones led the group with seven tackles. Rookie Alex Austin once again showed an ability to compete in coverage, logging one pass-breakup and two tackles

Grade: C+

SAFETIES

Per usual, impending free-agent Kyle Dugger played 100 percent of the team’s snaps on defense, while Jabrill Peppers aligned on all but one. The duo combined for seven tackles (five, for Dugger) on a forgettable day for the normally stout New England defense. Both Peppers and Dugger worked well together in the Pats defense backfield, making their decision on the latter’s free agency important and difficult in March. 

Grade: C+

'Our Captain' Slater Thanks Patriots Fans After Jets Loss, Final Game?

SPECIAL TEAMS

Though rookie Chad Ryland made his only field goal attempt — a 30-yarder in the second quarter — the true special teams standout was captain Matthew Slater. Though it has yet to be made official, Slater is assumed to have played his final NFL game, retiring as one of the most beloved all-time Patriots. In the grand scheme of things, the stat line in his potential swan song (one special teams tackle on 27 special teams snaps) will be insignificant. Instead, Week 18 will be remembered for Slater being honored by his teammates during pre-game warmups, who donned a blue hoodie adorned by the words: “The Patriot” on the front, with “Captain” and his number “18” on the back. 

Any additional words to describe it would not do it justice. 

Grade: A+ to Matthew Slater, for a 16-year run of “jobs well done” 

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