Patriots Seek to Overcome Time Management Issues
The New England Patriots are facing a critical juncture in their season, and one of the key issues they need to address is their time management problem. In two instances this season, the team has found itself with the ball deep in their own territory late in the second quarter, only to see their opponents capitalize on their mistakes.
A Closer Look at the Problem
In their Week 2 loss to the Seahawks, the Patriots were at their own 8-yard line with 1:37 remaining until halftime. They ran for 2 yards on first down, and the Seahawks didn’t take a timeout, allowing the clock to tick down to 58 seconds. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett then threw two incomplete passes, giving the Seahawks all three timeouts when they took over at their own 49-yard line with 35 seconds remaining. The Seahawks used all three timeouts to set themselves up for a 44-yard field goal on the final play of the half, which proved to be the difference-maker in the game.
A Repeat Performance
Unfortunately for the Patriots, they repeated the same mistake in their Week 5 loss to the Dolphins. With 1:50 remaining until halftime, they had the ball at their own 5-yard line. Rhamondre Stevenson ran for 8 yards on first down, and the Dolphins didn’t call a timeout, allowing the clock to tick down to 1:14. Brissett then threw two more incomplete passes, giving the Dolphins the ball back at their 44-yard line with 55 seconds remaining. Although the Dolphins botched a field goal attempt, the Patriots’ defense was forced to play seven extra snaps, which took its toll by the fourth quarter.
Coaches Weigh In
Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt acknowledged that he is still torn about the sequence of events in the Dolphins game. “We had two chances to get 2 yards to get a first down,” he said. “We took a shot there with one of our best wideouts, on a corner, gave him an opportunity. We didn’t win on the route and didn’t make the throw we needed to make.” Van Pelt also noted that he might have been too aggressive in his play-calling, given the team’s struggles in the passing game.
A New Era Begins
As the Patriots prepare to face the Houston Texans on Sunday, they will be led by rookie quarterback Drake Maye, who will make his first career start. Maye’s mobility and strong arm have created a buzz in the locker room, and coach Jerod Mayo has noticed a renewed sense of energy among the players.
Other Storylines
- Patriots owner Robert Kraft addressed safety Jabrill Peppers’ placement on the commissioner exempt list, saying that if the allegations against Peppers are true, he will be released from the team.
- Safety Marte Mapu earned praise from coaches and teammates after playing all 78 defensive snaps against the Dolphins, despite missing most of training camp with a calf injury.
- Longtime Patriots center David Andrews will undergo shoulder surgery and is expected to return in 2025. Andrews plans to rehab and work closely with 2022 first-round pick Cole Strange, who is being groomed as his potential successor at center.
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