Flynn: Patriots Offensive Line, Lack Of Pass Rush Concerning
BOSTON (CBS) - 98.5 The Sports Hub's Fred Toucher & Rich Shertenlieb were out on Monday, so Jon Wallach and Trenni Kusnierek were joined in studio by Mike Flynn to break down the Patriots 17-16 win over the Jets.
Flynn outlined some concerns he has for New England going forward, starting with the porous offensive line. Quarterback Tom Brady was sacked four times, all in the first half, and he was hit 11 times Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
Offensive Line:
"There are some things with the Patriots that concern me, offensive line play is no. 1. For probably two-and-a-half, three quarters of that game, the Patriots offensive line got absolutely steamrolled. Not just getting physically beat, but I'm talking steamrolled; guys on their back, getting thrown around. It wasn't a good performance. There have been struggles across that line, and they've made average defenses look good the last few weeks. Listen, the Jets front-seven is pretty good, but the coverage in that back end is horrible. [Patriots] should have played better against that defense. I know they usually give them trouble, but that's a Jets defense that's given up a lot of points this season. That offensive line did not play well yesterday."
With the Jets threatening late in the fourth quarter, quarterback Geno Smith dropped back to pass on third down from the New England 24-yard line, and was sacked for a 10-yard loss by Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower to put New York in a long-range field goal distance. Nick Folk had his field goal attempt blocked, and New England bled the clock for another photo finish against their Empire State rivals.
Aside from that key sack by Hightower, the pass rush for the Patriots was really lacking on Sunday -- and in previous weeks as well.
Lack Of Pass Rush:
"They can't get pass rush with four guys, maybe if Chandler Jones gets healthy [it can improve]. They tried to pressure Geno Smith and get to him on those second rushes but couldn't. Aaron Rodgers now, Ryan Tannehill last week -- at some point you've got to get in there and pressure these quarterbacks. The front four hasn't really been getting a pass rush, and we've seen this week in and week out and it could come back to haunt them."
Listen below for the full conversation:
MORE PATRIOTS COVERAGE FROM CBS BOSTON