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The Patriots wrapped up the preseason with an ugly 23-6 loss to the Raiders. It was a bad night all around and Bill Belichick summed it up perfectly after. “Too many little mistakes, too many big mistakes.”
Here are five takeaways from last night’s game.
1. Mac looked lost: I have been preaching patience this summer with the Patriots offense but it was hard not to feel like this offense is a mess after last night. Mac Jones looked skittish at times. His footwork was terrible, his timing and anticipation were off and the frustration was visible. The interception he threw on the ball intended for Kendrick Bourne was the worst of his Patriots career.
Jones said all the right things after the game but with two weeks until the season opener, the Patriots do not look like a team offensively that is ready to play.
2. Offensive line struggled again: It looked like the offensive line was making progress the past two weeks but all that hope disappeared last night. At times they looked overmatched and there were protection issues with all three groups that played. The run blocking wasn’t any better as the Patriots struggled to fit into the run game and get movement.
3. Secondary has an up and down game: The secondary has looked good this summer but they struggled last night as well, especially the starters. One of the few bright spots was rookie Jack Jones who continues to make a position to start at boundary corner.
4. Coaching: Belichick and the offensive staff were once again questioned last night. Fans had started to warm up to the idea of the Patricia/Judge collaboration after last week but any good faith that was built up with the fan base last week was flushed down the toilet after last night’s abysmal performance.
5. Injuries: It is one thing to play bad but it’s another to play bad and then have players get hurt in the process. The Patriots lost Ty Montgomery with an ankle injury last night. His status is unclear. Jakobi Meyers also left the game at one point as well. It was a tough night all around.
The Patriots have two weeks to fix what ails them offensively but it will be tough. The offense has struggled all of training camp. Fixing that in two weeks will be tough to do.