New England ranks 31st in the league in points per game.
Through the first month of the NFL season, the New England Patriots’ offense ranks 31st in the league in points per game, averaging just 13.0 points. Even in their lone win, the offense managed just 16 points — a recipe Jerod Mayo knows is not sustainable.
“When we beat Cincinnati, we understood that this is unsustainable as far as winning that way,” Mayo said Wednesday. “In this league, you have to score points to go out there and win. You have to win the time of possession. You have to – those are things that you have to do.
“There aren’t too many games you’re going to win if you score under, let’s just say, 21 points.”
As Mayo has preached that message to his players this week, Alex Van Pelt’s unit must find ways to put more points on the board moving forward. That could include getting different players more involved, with these three coming to mind.
Antonio Gibson
Rhamondre Stevenson’s fumbling problem aside, the Patriots’ offense would benefit from more Antonio Gibson moving forward. That is something Mayo is currently considered as well.
“[Starting Gibson on Sunday is] definitely under consideration,” he said. “I’ve had multiple conversations with Rhamondre. But look, we can’t preach that ball security is job security and still have him out there the majority of the time. So, I think it sends a stronger message to the players that there are certain things that we just can’t do to win, especially with the team that we have today.”
Despite playing just 29 percent of the team’s offensive snaps through four weeks, Gibson has been effective in his role as both a ball carrier and pass catcher. That was exemplified on Sunday against the 49ers, where Gibson showed his elusiveness as a ball carrier to avoid a TFL on a run before recording a long catch-and-run for 50 yards.
While it may have come in garbage time on a coverage bust, the Patriots are lacking explosive playmakers like Gibson. More touches should be in line for the back regardless of Stevenson’ status.
Kendrick Bourne
New England hasn’t had the luxury of deploying Bourne on offense, as the receiver has been on the PUP list all summer as he works his way back from the torn ACL he suffered last season.
But, Bourne was back on the practice field on Wednesday as Jerod Mayo said it’s not entirely unrealistic to expect him to suit up Sunday against the Miami Dolphins depending on how he responds throughout the week.
Bourne would be a welcomed boost to the Patriots passing attack due to his ability to separate in the short and intermediate areas of the field. While Pop Douglas and Ja’Lynn Polk have flashed the ability to get open, New England’s other pass catchers are wearing coverage far too often.
When Bourne is fully cleared to go, he should immediately cut into K.J. Osborn (top of clip above) and Tyquan Thornton’s and snaps.
Drake Maye
New England is fair to be hesitant to put their rookie behind this offensive line, but Jacoby Brissett has been a part of the problem in recent weeks. While Brissett has faced a league-high pressure rate, he is not making things better by holding the ball and failing to pull the trigger when receivers are open.
On the play below, Kayshon Boutte is open on the backside dig route to Brissett’s right — a throw Maye made both in the preseason and in his debut against New York. Brissett, however, is hesitant to make the throw in a clean pocket and rolls out to take a sack.
And while Brissett took care of the football through the first three weeks, things boiled over against the 49ers as he threw an early pick-six, in which he stared down Tyquan Thornton, before putting the ball on the ground three times — loosing one fumble.
Maye likely won’t solve all of New England’s issues with expected bumps in the road as a rookie, but his high level arm talent, aggressiveness, and mobility would boost the Patriots offense — especially on third-down where they currently rank near the bottom of the league in conversion rate.
Plus, Alex Van Pelt has made it clear through both his words and actions that the offense will be tailored to Maye’s strengths, something that could even help a beaten offensive line.