Media has ‘overblown’ talk of Patriots’ O-line struggles

The Patriots surprised many across football on Sunday by walking out of Paycor Stadium with a win against the Bengals.

But it was how New England took care of business on the road that might have been the most jarring sight for those who predicted an ugly performance in Cincinnati. 

After over a month of lackluster play on the offensive line during training camp and preseason action, New England’s O-line played a major role in the Patriots’ ground-and-pound approach on Sunday. 

With New England’s big bodies on the line clearing a path up front, Rhamondre Stevenson led the way for the Patriots offense with 120 total rushing yards and the team’s lone touchdown of the afternoon. 

It was a refreshing sight from a unit up front that has long been projected to be New England’s Achilles heel in 2024 — just as it was during a 4-13 season in 2023. 

But on Monday, Jerod Mayo pushed back against the continuing narrative that New England’s offense will have to function in spite of a porous O-line. 

“I’ve told you guys the entire time, and I’ve told the media. We’ve overblown the deficiencies that we have at offensive line,” Mayo said on WEEI’s “Greg Hill Show” Monday morning. “Every single preseason game, turn on the tape. This what I’d say – turn on the tape, every single preseason game, I’d say we dominated the line of scrimmage offensively and defensively.”

Of course, optimism wasn’t exactly high for the Patriots entering the season — especially after disastrous O-line performances during New England’s joint practice with the Eagles on Aug. 13 and the team’s preseason finale against the Commanders on Aug. 25.   

But Sunday’s performance against the Bengals was a night-and-day showing from New England’s previous play along the line of scrimmage. 

“Now there were some things – there was the one practice versus Philly where everyone kind of blew it out of proportion,” Mayo added. “But I have nothing but total faith in [offensive line coach] Scott Peters, [offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt], [assistant O-line coach Robert] Kugler, … all those guys, to get those guys ready to go, and we don’t hear [the criticism]. We don’t hear it.”

Even with New England missing two projected starters at guard in Sidy Sow and Cole Strange, the Patriots still managed to create gaps for Stevenson and fellow running back Antonio Gibson to exploit. 

While it was to be expected for stalwarts on the O-line like center David Andrews and tackle Mike Onwenu to win their matchups, rookie guard Layden Robinson more than held his own in the run game — clearing a path for Stevenson’s touchdown in the second quarter. 

“Yeah, there was a point in time during training camp where, not only myself, but I think the other coaches saw it,” Jerod Mayo told reporters on Monday. “We said, ‘Layden Robinson has an opportunity to be a special player in this league.’ He’s tough. He’ll move guys off the line of scrimmage. He can do it all.”

While New England did hold its own against the Bengals, left tackle does remain a concern moving forward. Starter Chuks Okorafor only played 12 snaps at LT before getting replaced by Vederian Lowe after losing several one-on-one battles against Cincy star defensive end Trey Hendrickson. 

That critical area up front will need to be shored up if New England wants to build off of Sunday’s win, especially when it comes to the passing game.

But for now, Mayo has been encouraged with what he’s seen from a grouping that entered the year with low expectations. 

“Every game, every preseason game, those guys have done a good job – moving bodies and establishing toughness on line of scrimmage,” Mayo said. “They did that yesterday. So, I’m not really too concerned with the offensive line. those guys are going to get better every week.”