Jon Lyons

Patriots: Vegas Fiasco. Patriots Hit Rock Bottom Against Raiders

December 20, 2022

The Patriots lost 30-24 to the Raiders on Sunday with the game ending on perhaps the worst play in NFL history: a botched lateral by Jakobi Meyers that was intercepted by Chandler Jones and returned for a touchdown as time expired. While this moment was the singular worst of the season for New England, the entire game represented a rock bottom: bad offense, bad communication, a massive special teams…

Patriots: Young Patriots Have Huge Impact In Win Over Cardinals

December 13, 2022

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The Patriots stayed in the playoff hunt with a 27-13 win in Arizona on Monday night. They are now 7-6 and have a chance to finish off their bumpy season with a playoff berth if they play well down the stretch. New England was without several key players for most of or all the game due to injury and the play of their recent draft picks helped pick up the…

Patriots: Patriots Need to Throw Deep to Win on Monday Night

December 9, 2022

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In a now famous clip, Patriots quarterback Mac Jones boiled over on the sidelines against the Bills, extolling his coaches and teammates to push the ball down the field more because the quick passing game “sucks”. On Monday against Arizona, the Patriots will have the perfect opportunity to grant Jones his wish. The Cardinals come into the game at 4-8, losers of four out of their last five. In that…

Patriots: Marcus Jones A Lone Bright Spot in Loss to Bills

December 5, 2022

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Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images The Patriots did not have much to smile about after Thursday night’s loss to the Bills, but one bright spot is the play of do-it-all rookie Marcus Jones. Jones has steadily increased his playing time this season and as the snaps have increased his impact has followed. Against Buffalo, Jones played 45% of the defensive snaps, 42% of the special teams snaps and three snaps…

Patriots: Clock Management a Systemic Failure

December 2, 2022

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Image courtesy of Adam Glanzman | Getty Images BY Jon Lyons NEFJ Correspondent The Patriots have lost two in a row, first a 33-26 loss against Minnesota that was filled with their own mistakes and a 24-10 loss last night in which their offense was completely inept. There have been several common themes in the two losses, but one that stands out is their ineffective clock management at the end of the…

Patriots: With 200th Game Approaching, It’s Time to Appreciate Devin McCourty’s Greatness

November 30, 2022

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Thursday will mark Devin McCourty’s 200th game in the NFL, all of which have been played for the New England Patriots. McCourty has been a constant presence in an organization that has reached five Super Bowls and won three championships since his arrival in 2010. He has been an elite free safety during much of his career and is still playing well at age 35. Beyond that, he has been…

Patriots: Patriots Offense Needs to Throw More Short Passes

November 21, 2022

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The Patriots mustered only three offensive points in Sunday’s 10-3 win over the Jets, their worst output of the season. They were able to move the ball well at times, but could not make enough plays (or play calls) once they got inside the Jets 30-yard line. The offensive line struggled mightily and the typically strong Patriots running game was largely ineffective, save for a couple nice runs from Damien…

Patriots: Breaking Down The Patriots Remaining Schedule

November 14, 2022

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The Patriots emerge from their bye week at 5-4 and currently holding on to the seventh and final playoff spot in the AFC. In order for them to remain in playoff position, they will need to run through a difficult second half schedule that is the fourth toughest based on opponent winning percentage as of today. Here’s a look at what’s ahead: Week 11: Home vs NY Jets Coming out…

Patriots: Grading the Patriots 2022 Draft Class Halfway Through the Season

November 7, 2022

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Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images The Patriots are 5-4 and enter their bye week after defeating the Colts 26-3 on Sunday. It has been an inconsistent season so far that has seen a lot of young players given a chance to contribute. With that in mind, here is a look at how all their 2022 draft picks have fared so far. Round 1: Guard Cole Strange, The University of Tennessee…

Patriots: Two Changes Patriots Offense Should Make in the Second Half

November 2, 2022

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The Patriots sit at 4-4 through eight games and have nine games remaining. First up is a home matchup with the Colts, which will be followed by the team’s bye week before an eight game gauntlet to end the season that includes two games against the Bills and matchups with the Vikings, Dolphins and Bengals. If New England wants to make it through the second half with a shot at…