Copyright MassLive
The New England Patriots Week 10 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is significant on so many levels. First off, for the first time in five weeks, the Patriots will be facing a winning team, and a legitimate starting quarterback. It’s another important test, another litmus test game. The Buccaneers are 6-2, and sit in first place in the NFC West. As for Baker Mayfield, like Drake Maye, he’s currently in the conversation for MVP. Mayfield is a much different caliber quarterback than Atlanta’s Michael Penix Jr., Cleveland’s Dillon Gabriel, Tennessee’s Cam Ward, or New Orleans’ Spencer Rattler. He’s a gunslinger in the truest sense of the word. He can be a bit reckless, but he does have a clutch gene. Week 5, the Patriots were able to take down Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills at Orchard Park. So this could be another feather in the Patriots cap, another sign just how legitimate their are as contenders. Mike Vrabel’s team has certainly exceeded expectations to this point. Six straight wins have them at 7-2, in first place in the AFC East and the second seed in the conference. As the Patriots move on to the second half of the schedule, here’s how the positions grade out for the first half. QUARTERBACK - A Being a bonafide MVP candidate at the midway point makes the grade easy for Drake Maye. Nine games in, he’s performed at a mind-blowing rate for a 23-year old second-year quarterback. He’s already tallied the most 200-plus passing yard and 100-plus passer rating games in a single season, breaking Tom Brady’s record from 2007. Through two seasons, he has also produced the most games in NFL history with a completion percentage of 80% or higher. So Maye has made a Year 2 leap and then some. The only area of concern are turnovers. Along with 17 touchdown passes, he’s thrown four picks. That’s not too bad. But the six fumbles don’t cut it. As for backup Josh Dobbs, beyond mop-up duty, he had to come on in relief for a few plays in the Tennessee game while Maye was being checked for a concussion. Dobbs delivered, escaping the pass rush to complete a pass to keep the chains moving. Tommy DeVito has had third quarterback status and hasn’t played. So with Maye leading the way, the quarterback room sits at the head of the class. RUNNING BACK - C-minus Rhamondre Stevenson had fumbling issues resurface the first few weeks of the season. He’s been better of late, and seemed on his way back to being an impactful back. Only, he will miss his second straight game against Tampa with a toe injury. His 3.4 yards per carry average is nothing to brag about. Where Stevenson has excelled is as a pass blocker with blitz pickup. The loss of Antonio Gibson to a season-ending ACL injury hasn’t helped matters. Rookie TreVeyon Henderson has yet to live up to the hype generated by a strong preseason. He’s struggled in blitz pickup. That said, his 4.2 yards per carry is best among the backs. His 283 yards is also tops. But that’s not saying much. To this point, Stevenson and Henderson haven’t fared much better as pass catchers. Terrell Jennings was signed to the 53-man roster from the practice squad and fared pretty well as the backup last week. TIGHT END - A-minus Maye’s trust in Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper is obvious. Henry was his primary go-to-guy last season, and the connection continues to be an important one. Currently, Henry is second in receptions (29) behind Stefon Diggs and second in touchdowns (4) behind Kayshon Boutte. In a pinch, Henry typically delivers. Hooper has also pitched in with 13 catches for 174 yards and a touchdown. They’re not flashy, but they get the job done. Henry has missed a few blocks, but outside of that, the duo has been very good. WIDE RECEIVER - A-minus Slowly, but surely, this group has evolved from a liability to a plus. Early on, it seemed like a one-man band with Stefon Diggs leading the show. Diggs has exceeded expectations, first with his recovery from ACL surgery, and also his effectiveness coming off that injury. He’s been a constant, filling the role as a No. 1 receiver. He’s made catches in the clutch, and been a terrific locker room presence. But it hasn’t all been Diggs. Kayshon Boutte has emerged, establishing himself as one of the league’s best deep threats. He’s been the team’s most improved player, as he leads the team with five touchdowns. Meanwhile, DeMario Douglas and Mack Hollins have both made their presence felt recently. The pass-catching collective has done so well, six different players have led the team in receiving yards in a game. Four of those are receivers (Boutte, Diggs, Hollins, Douglas). The only disappointment has been rookie Kyle Williams, who’s had little to no impact. With Boutte currently nursing a hamstring injury, that might allow Williams a little more playing time, and time to factor into the offense. Preseason sensation Efton Chism III has volleyed between the practice squad and game-day roster for the most part. Overall, this group has fared better than expected. While it might not elicit fear in opposing teams, it’s hard to argue with results. Along with Maye, the receiving group has a huge reason why the Patriots have a top 10 scoring offense. OFFENSIVE LINE - C-minus The unit underwent a significant makeover during the offseason. Rookies Will Campbell and Jared Wilson have taken over the left side. Free agent signing Garrett Bradbury has started every game center. And veteran Morgan Moses, another top free agent, has held down right tackle with right guard Michael Onwenu the one holdover from last season’s woeful group. Obviously, the sack numbers aren’t good. Maye has gone down 38 times, second-most in the league. While Maye has contributed to that number by holding on to the ball too long at times, linemen are still getting beat. Beyond pass protection, the running blocking also hasn’t moved the needle. And yet, overall, this unit is better than what we witnessed last season. There haven’t been anywhere near the same amount of free pass rushers. More important, Maye looks and feels more comfortable behind the line than he did last year. The grade probably deserves to be lower, but Campbell has held the fort adequately enough at left tackle. According to Pro Football Focus, he’s been the team’s top-graded offensive linman through the first half of the season. Wilson has struggled at times, but Georgia’s former starting center is learning on the job at guard. Bradbury has been better than advertised, while Onwenu and Moses have been good for the most part. DEFENSIVE LINE - A-minus Having $104 million dollar man Milton Williams paired up front with Christian Barmore has pretty much lived up to the hype. They’ve been a force. Williams, who was primarily used on passing downs by Philadelphia, has proven he can handle being an every-down defender. He’s made huge game-saving type plays in several games. One surprise is how much of an impact Khyiris Tonga has had. He was signed as a free agent, has wreaked havoc up front, and also contributed on special teams, and, as a fullback. Cory Durden and Joshua Farmer have also performed pretty well as rotational players. To this point, the Patriots have not allowed any running back to hit 50 yards. They just need to be a little more impactful generating pressure on the quarterback. LINEBACKER - C In the early going, this group would have been in the D/F range. There were too many missed tackles. And too many explosive plays as a result. But the unit has gone from being one of the worst in the league, to one of the best in short order. Robert Spillane has really come on as a tackling machine. With 72 tackles, he’s the team’s leading tackler by a mile. Christian Elliss has had some issues with tackling and over-pursuing, but he’s also made a ton of plays. Outside linebackers Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson have run hot and cold with the pass rush, but they’ve been solid for the most part. Landry has done a good job setting the edge. With little to no depth, the Patriots have to pray they stay healthy. SECONDARY - C When not covering 6-4 all-world receivers (see Drake London), Marcus Jones has been a difference-maker in the defensive backfield. He’s in the process of having his best season to date as a slot defender. All-Pro Christian Gonzalez missed the first three games with a hamstring injury, but since his return, the Patriots haven’t lost. Carlton Davis III, who signed a lucrative 3-year, $60 million free agent contract during the offseason, has been a bit of a disappointment to this point. Meanwhile, starting safeties Jaylinn Hawkins and rookie Craig Woodson have been a mixed bag. Woodson, a rookie, has gotten dusted a few times. SPECIAL TEAMS - B The Patriots stuck with rookie kicker Andy Borregales after a rough start, and it’s paid off. Borregales missed two extra points Week 2 in Miami. And he missed a makable field goal Week 1 against Las Vegas. Since then, he’s been perfect. He’s gone 13-for-13 with field goals, and hasn’t missed an extra point. Punter Bryce Baringer has had at least one kick go off the side of his foot, but has been solid otherwise. He’s boomed one 73 yards. He’s also put a dozen kicks inside the 20. Marcus Jones remains one of the best punt returners in the game. He brought one to the house with an 87-yard return against Carolina. Before getting hurt, Antonio Gibson also took a kick return the distance Week 2 in Miami. One of the biggest issues with this group has been penalties. They’ve been flagged five times. They also surrendered one kickoff return for a touchdown but have been good otherwise. COACHING - A Mike Vrabel came in, immediately set goals (win the division, host a home playoff game, compete for championships), and in short order, all of those are in play. He’s established a culture, and the players have bought into what he’s preaching. Vrabel has also been a shrewd operator on the sidelines on game days. As for his staff, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has done a masterful job bringing Drake Maye along. He’s also been willing to utilize some concepts that aren’t part of his offensive scheme in order to take advantage of Maye’s skillset. The Patriots have also had to deal with losing defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, who had to step away to deal with a prostate cancer diagnosis. Inside linebacker’s coach Zak Kuhr has done an admirable job taking over the play caller duties. While the team currently sports the NFL’s worst red zone defense, the group is only allowing 18.8 points per game, which is the sixth best in the league.
