Following a strong and consistent offensive performance against the Chargers last week, the Patriots looked to replicate that effort against the Panthers. However, the offense got out to a slow start in this one and could have caused it to be a close game. But it was not a close game, and the defense is to thank for that.
The offense was not necessarily bad, but only touched the endzone twice and had some giveaways. After punting the ball on their first two drives, Mac Jones gave up a sack fumble that put the Panthers in good field position. After a run oriented drive to make the game 7-3, Jones threw an interception to who other than former Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore, which also gave the Panthers good field position.
The reason these turnovers did not kill the Patriots is due to the defense. Both times the Patriots were able to hold the Panthers offense from the Patriots side of the field and force field goals. This allowed the offense to find a rhythm and put points on the
board to gain confidence. The turnovers in the passing game definitely did not help the Patriots, but it did lead them to finding and sticking with an identity that worked against this Panthers team which was the running game.
Jones was sub-par in this game, and only threw the ball 18 times for 12 completions. Jones and Hunter Henry connected on yet another touchdown for the rookie Qbs only touchdown of the day as the two continued to build chemistry together. The story of the offense today was the rushing attack. Damien Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Brandon Bolden all contributed to a 151 yard day on the ground, as well as playing a role in the passing game. After the early turnovers the Patriots committed to running the ball with a purpose, and it worked out well pretty much all game.
Aside from the two first half turnovers that set up field goals for the Panthers, they were unable to construct anything on offense and really gave the Patriots no issues whatsoever. Three second half interceptions by Panthers QB Sam Darnold, including one returned for a touchdown, kept the Panthers off the scoreboard for the rest of the game. Cornerback J.C. Jackson had two, and linebacker Jamie Collins had a very athletic heads up interception for the third. This was a solid game for the Patriots pass defense, which is encouraging for those guys after losing CB Jonathon Jones for the year as well as the trade of Gilmore a couple weeks ago.
The Patriots are on the right track with this win. They did not have their best stuff on offense, but their defense played well enough to really keep the game from even
getting close. They stopped the run well, which will be huge against the elite running attack that the Browns will present in week 10. Damien Harris and Rhamondre Steveson both were dealing with injuries late in this game, so this is a concern for the team coming out of a game with a number of positives. With the running game influencing so much of what the Patriots are able to do on offense, getting at least one of those guys healthy moving forward might be the biggest factor in their success.
The Patriots exit this game trending up with their fourth straight win reaching a record of 5-4, and the AFC playoffs are definitely possible with a number of injuries and sliding teams. The Patriots look to stay consistent in a conference that lacks consistency among most playoff hopeful teams.
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