The Patriots beat the Colts by a score of 26-3 in a slow, exhausting effort. However, a win is a win, and they moved to 5-4 heading into their bye week. Here are four studs and four duds from Week 9.
Studs
LB Matthew Judon
Matthew Judon continued his dominant playmaking today as the veteran racked up three sacks, six tackles, and numerous pressures. He would have had four sacks, but Daniel Ekuale committed a roughing-the-passer penalty that wiped off the flag. Number 9 now leads all NFL players in sacks with 11.5. Last season he set a personal career-high with 12.5 sacks and is one shy of tying his career best. The Patriot franchise record is 18.5 in a season, held by Andre Tippit; Judon is on pace to eclipse that record.
LB Josh Uche
Edge rusher Josh Uche had a breakout game against the Colts. The third-year linebacker had three sacks on the day and four total tackles while playing 25 snaps. Opposite of Matthew Judon, Uche contributed to the dominant pass rush against the Colts and was constantly in the backfield. After the game, he told reporters part of his job is to signal the plays on third down. Belichick confirmed during his press conference that he does indeed have that responsibility. Although Uche has been a healthy scratch in a couple of games this season, his speed will be used against mobile quarterbacks during the second half of the season.
K Nick Folk
Nick Folk is always on the good list for the Patriots; the veteran hit all four of his kicks from 49,43,43, and 28 yards. Folk has scored 29 points in the last three games, while the rest of the Patriot offense has only scored 24 points. Folk who turned 38 on Saturday is now 19/21 on field goals and 20/20 on PATs this season. With a struggling Patriots offense, it’s hard to envision where the Patriots would be without Folk.
CB Jonathan Jones
Jonathan Jones had arguably the best game of his career on Sunday and earned the player of the game. During the second quarter, when both offenses were having problems moving the ball, Jonathan Jones moved from covering the gunner on the sideline to hustling to block Matt Haccak Punt in Patriot territory. Fellow special-teamer Brendon Schooler recovered the punt to set up the Patriots for an immediate RedZone possession. New England would take advantage of Indianapolis’ costly mistake and turn it into a touchdown. Jones came up huge to shut the door on the game when he picked off Sam Enhinger and brought it back for six.
Duds
Offensive line… again
The offensive line has been a constant mess the past couple of weeks. Yodny Cajuste started the game at right tackle over Isaiah Wynn, but he struggled for most of the game, and first-round pick Cole Strange was benched part of the game for the third-straight week as Isaiah Wynn played most of the game at left guard. James Ferentz continued his role at Center as David Andrews was inactive, battling a concussion. The penalties continued on the line as Strange was penalized for illegal hands to the face, Brown was flagged for holding, and Isaiah Wynn for another holding. Wynn now leads the league in penalties with nine. The Patriots could only pick up 70 yards on 20 carries rushing, and the Colts sacked Mac Jones four times. The unit will have to improve and get healthier if New England wants to push for a playoff spot.
P Jake Bailey… again
As Nick Folk finds himself on the good list weekly, Jake Bailey finds himself on the bad list weekly. Bailey bombed a 59-yard punt to start the game and forced the Colts to start at their 19-yard line. However, his other six punts were not so great, including a 36-yarder and an awful 7-yard punt during the fourth quarter. New England was lucky as Colt’s offense had trouble moving the ball, but the highest-paid punter in the NFL will have to turn it around.
Fumbles
The Patriots coughed up the ball twice on Sunday and were lucky to recover one of them thanks to the quick moving of J.J. Taylor. On the second play of the second-half, Jakboi Meyers fumbled the ball in New England territory, which would eventually lead to Colt’s only points of the game. A rare miscue by Meyers, but ball security is job security. Furthermore, receiver Kendrick Bourne got an earful in the fourth quarter from Belichick after he carelessly lost the football. However, Taylor recovered that one. Bourne had the ball in one hand, and the Colts made the forced fumble look easy.
Playcalling
The Patriot’s offense is unproductive and rarely turns RedZone possessions into touchdowns. On Sunday, the Colts held the Patriots to 203 yards of offense, their lowest of the season. Additionally, New England went 6-for-17 on third down and had to settle for a field goal when they failed to score a touchdown on first, second, and third goal. Matt Patrica often calls first-down run plays, leading to long second and third downs, which is part of the problem. The playcalling and offensive play are going to have to get better.
Follow me on Twitter @Thepatriotsbeat
Subscribe to The patriots beat here to receive all updated information about the New England Patriots.
My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 17-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Thepatriotsbeat@gmail.com with any inquires.
