The last time Mac Jones played in Buffalo, he completed 2 of 3 passes for 19 yards. The Patriots only threw three times because of the weather conditions. Saturday nights forecast calls for clear skies and a game time temperature of 7. That’s cold.
Despite the frigid temperatures, the Patriots should be able to throw the ball. It won’t be easy against one of the league’s best secondaries but if the Patriots are to win this game, they are going to need Jones to make plays in the passing game.
Getting Jones into a rhythm will be key. If the Patriots can run pass plays he is comfortable with, he will be able to getting rolling as a passer and make plays in the passing game.
Three-step, play-action, mesh and flood concepts underneath are all easy pass plays that can get a quarterback into a rhythm. Here are some pass plays the Patriots run that could help Mac get into a rhythm and throw the ball better.
Diagram 1: Play-action passes: Pass plays like this can help get Mac off to a good start throwing the ball. The Bills will play seven and eight man boxes against 21 and 22 personnel formations. Look for the Patriots to throw some play-action early. Especially on first down.
Diagrams 2&3: 3-Step Passes: Three step drop is the easiest way to get a quarterback into rhythm. Stick concepts and hitch seams concepts are a great way to get the ball out of the quarterback’s hand quick and get him comfortable. Don’t be surprised if the Patriots run empty early and throw three step out of it. Spreading out the Bills and running stick or double outs creates more space for the receivers and Jones can identify the best match up pre-snap.
Diagrams 4&5: Mesh Concepts: The Bills don’t play a ton of man coverage but when they do, the Patriots could use mesh as a way to pick the Bills secondary and free up receivers. Mesh is easy for the quarterback to throw because it is an easy read and it gets the ball out of his hands quick. It is also a great red zone concept as well.
Diagram 6: Middle floods: If the Patriots are going to throw the ball in the middle of the field, high low concepts like this are easy for Jones. He can read the alignments of the linebackers and their depth post snap. If they drop high, Jones throws the shallow. If they sink, he can hitch up and throw the dig route behind them in the middle window.
Getting Jones into rhythm is easier said than done but the Patriots have a diverse enough passing attack that allows them to throw a variety of concepts to get him into a groove. Concepts like the ones above are a part of the base offense. Jones has been throwing them all season. The Patriots might as well use these concepts to get him comfortable early.