What Patriots said about DK Metcalf TD, and other thoughts

That play impacted the way the Patriots called the game, Seattle quarterback Geno Smith said. 

According to Smith, New England stayed out of cover zero until the final drive in overtime. Seattle took control with back-to-back touchdown drives and forced the Patriots to play from behind for the first time this season. 

“That was a great call. They went cover zero early in the game,” Smith said. “That was the big touchdown to DK, and it kind of scared them out of it. They didn’t call it for the rest of the game.”

“We knew they would get back to it,” Smith added. “That’s what they want to do in those critical situations. [Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb] was on it. Made the right call. We’re just happy that happened and allowed us to get in field goal range and [Jason Meyers] kicked it in.”

One play doesn’t determine the outcome of a game, and the Patriots tied the game before losing in overtime. Although Dugger played well overall, posting a team-high nine tackles including three tackles for loss along with a sack, the miscue did set the tone for how things went. 

Here are a few more thoughts and notes to put a bow on Sunday’s 23-20 overtime loss. 

Miscues took their toll

The Patriots looked one-dimensional on offense yet again. The ground game worked – Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson combined for 177 yards and Stevenson punched in a touchdown. 

But, the Patriots got virtually no production from their receivers and still had issues producing explosive plays. The receivers combined for three catches for 19 yards. New England did get a 35-yard catch from Hunter Henry and a 45-yard run from Gibson. 

But, it wasn’t enough to keep pace with Smith, who threw for 327 yards versus Jacoby Brissett’s 149. 

There is a much smaller margin for error when a team can’t move the ball efficiently through the air, and it magnifies other mistakes. New England fought hard, but the mental mistakes and lack of execution added up. 

The blocked kick on the Patriots’ final drive in regulation was a backbreaker. The busted coverage on the Metcalf touchdown erased an early lead almost instantly. New England caught a break when Mike Ownenu recovered a Stevenson fumble on the 3-yard line that kept them in the game. 

“It’s all about the details,” head coach Jerod Mayo said. “If we get the little things right, the big things will take care of themselves. We just didn’t take care of the little things, and we weren’t as detailed or as on top of our P’s and Q’s like we should have been. Which is my responsibility.” 

“I take 100 percent responsibility. These guys – I will say this: This is a tough football team. No matter what’s said outside this building, and I told these guys that, as well. We’re a tough football game, not only physically but also mentally. I appreciate their effort. It just wasn’t enough today.”

Hunter Henry was excellent, but Patriots need more from passing game

Henry provided the bulk of the Patriots’ production in the passing game, tallying a career-high 109 yards. It was the second 100-plus yard game of his eight-year career, and arguably his best game as a Patriot. 

Seattle kept the Patriots’ other receivers at bay, but Henry was able to leak out into open areas when Brissett was able to extend plays with his legs. New England’s offensive line struggled in comparison to last week, with Seattle generating consistent pressure and forcing Brissett to think on his feet. 

Last week, Henry impacted the game with his hustle, fighting for an under-thrown pass that should have been an interception and preventing the defensive back from getting to it. 

This week, Henry got to showcase his hands and athleticism in a variety of ways. The Patriots hit him with a tight-end screen that went for a first down after David Andrews and Michael Jordan walled off the edge for him. He had a 35-yard catch that was New England’s longest play of the season until Gibson topped it with a 45-yard run. 

It was a steady performance from the veteran tight end, but having one player get 109 of the team’s 149 passing yards isn’t enough. 

Polk gets his first TD

With that said, here’s a moment to acknowledge rookie receiver Ja’Lynn Polk’s first career touchdown, which came on a quick slant in the first quarter. 

Polk, who had two catches for 12 yards, said the moment meant a lot to him but didn’t seem to want to talk much about it. 

“It was pretty cool. It was a great experience with my teammates,” Polk said. “Of course, we didn’t come out with the win, so I feel like [there are] more important things than my touchdown.”

When asked what the receivers can do to get better looks, Polk offered just one word: Details.

Going big 

The Patriots experimented with a few different jumbo looks including offensive tackle Caedan Wallace as a jumbo tight end and offensive guard Nick Leverett at fullback. 

Leverett lined up in front of Stevenson and motioned towards the edge on Stevenson’s touchdown, a 1-yard scamper on a direct snap to the running back. 

“Man, it’s fun. I think the best part about it is being able to contribute to the team in a different way,” Leverett said. “I’m always trying to find different ways to help my team out and everything and them having the faith in me to be a fullback is not taken lightly. I take it to heart. I study the fullback role as if I’m studying left guard, center role. I take pride in it.”