The Patriots waltzed again into the win column Sunday, incomes a dominant 19-3 victory over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Subject.
New England was aided within the win, as the house group’s offense was caught within the mud and routinely earned boos from its followers. It’s not the type of season the place we are able to nitpick victories, nevertheless, so we’ll give attention to the stunning quantity of optimistic takeaways from a strong afternoon in The Windy Metropolis:
IT COULD ALWAYS BE WORSE
Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt hasn’t earned many followers in his first season calling performs. Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, nevertheless, has earned enemies.
Chicago’s offense put forth one of the putrid performances we’ve seen from an opposing unit this season, ending with simply 142 whole yards and 1-for-14 on third downs. Waldron, who’s in his first season as play-caller for this unit, was totally out-schemed on the “cash downs” and did nothing to cowl up for their litany of accidents on the offensive line.
Van Pelt hasn’t been good. Waldron has been worse.
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OFFENSIVELY, IT WAS ENOUGH
Van Pelt hasn’t been nice, however he did have a good afternoon, all issues thought-about.
The Patriots put a transparent emphasis on establishing the run, they usually did that with Rhamondre Stevenson, JaMycal Hasty, Antonio Gibson and Drake Maye combining for 145 yards on the bottom. Ja’Lynn Polk’s landing got here on a nifty design, the place he slipped out from a blocking project that left everybody in Chicago confused. Kayshon Boutte was showcased. Hunter Henry was used as a pawn, which opened up alternatives for Austin Hooper.
AVP will get a gold star if solely this as soon as.
EXECUTING? IN THIS ECONOMY?
New England appeared damn-near competent all through the sport, however one second that confirmed professional progress got here on the conclusion of the primary half.
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The Patriots acquired the ball again with simply 0:35 remaining earlier than halftime and determined to push it down the sector to increase their result in double-digits. Maye and Kayshon Boutte, who’ve developed fairly the rapport in latest weeks, linked on a deep crosser during which Boutte acquired down, rotated to discover a referee and acquired the ball noticed so they may kill the clock. Joey Slye then hit his ensuing discipline purpose try because the clock expired.
Jerod Mayo’s group has been criticized for its execution points up to now within the season, however that was a pleasant second.
BRENDEN SCHOOLER? WHO KNEW?
Schooler’s worth has fairly actually all the time been tied to particular groups, however which may change shifting ahead…
The Patriots deployed their specialist in a brand new function Sunday, calling for him to function the “spy” on Williams in apparent passing conditions. Schooler is sweet at just about all the pieces requested of him, so it ought to come as no shock that he recorded a drive-killing sack within the third quarter. New England could be clever to proceed discovering methods to permit the 27-year-old to contribute.
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Keion White, Jahlani Tavai, Anfernee Jennings, Dell Pettus, Jeremiah Pharms Jr. and Deatrich Sensible Jr. additionally acquired residence, however none have been cooler than Schooler’s.
PERSONNEL TINKERING
New England made a considerably puzzling personnel determination in the course of the sport, electing to make Kendrick Bourne the one energetic receiver who didn’t see the sector. The Patriots reportedly have been “prioritizing enjoying time” for younger gamers like Polk and Javon Baker, however Ok.J. Osborn acquired some run, and that doesn’t make a lot sense on a floor stage.
Did they wish to give Osborn one final shot to showcase himself earlier than a launch? Does Bourne nonetheless want time for that injured knee? It’s a bizarre one, for positive.
CAN IT CONTINUE?
The Patriots nonetheless shouldn’t be favored to win many video games shifting ahead, however this step in the fitting course must be capitalized on. The Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts are subsequent up on the schedule, and that stretch might go a great distance in defining the season.
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