How Josh McDaniels explains Patriots’ latest second-half struggles on offense
FOXBORO — Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels didn’t have any clear solutions on why his unit has struggled within the second halves of video games during the last two months.
McDaniels stated Thursday that he’s observed “no traits” within the second half, however when trying on the knowledge, there’s a transparent discrepancy within the general effectivity of the offense in comparison with the primary halves of video games.
The Patriots’ offense stands as one of many NFL’s prime items within the first half of video games because the starting of November, rating second in EPA (anticipated factors added) per play and success fee. They’re third in EPA per cross, third in EPA per rush, first in passing success fee and eighth in dashing success fee.
It’s unclear what occurs at halftime, however they arrive out trying like a very completely different group.
Within the second halves of video games in that span of time, they rank fifteenth with a unfavorable EPA per play, twenty second in success fee, eleventh in EPA per cross, 18th in passing success fee, twenty ninth in EPA per rush and twenty fourth in dashing success fee.
The Patriots have simply 4 touchdowns within the second halves of video games from Week 9 on, and three of these have been 50-plus-yard dashing touchdowns by rookie working again TreVeyon Henderson. The one prolonged landing drive got here towards the Jets.
“I feel it’s simply, whenever you play with the lead, you battle that human nature to calm down and wish to have accomplished sufficient,” McDaniels stated. “And I feel typically that enjoying from behind is simpler than enjoying from forward in sure conditions.
McDaniels believes the Patriots’ second half struggles towards the Payments in Week 15, once they misplaced 35-31 after getting out to a 21-0 lead, could possibly be a “present” in the event that they be taught from it.
The Patriots scored simply as soon as within the second half towards the Payments, and it was on a damaged run play during which Henderson reversed course and scored a 65-yard dashing landing.
“Actually thought that guys actually did a very good job of executing sure issues within the first half, and made numerous massive performs, after which we actually, form of, by no means actually bought into a very good rhythm within the second half,” McDaniels stated. “And that’s my job. So we’ll determine why that was. I feel there’s numerous issues you may take into consideration and speak about. However whether or not it’s executing a particular play higher or calling a distinct play, I feel you all the time look again on these issues and consider it from each lenses.
“Truthfully, I feel right now of the yr, whenever you play a group like that, and get a chance to see the kind of precision and stage of execution and element that each one of us must showcase in these sorts of video games, it may be a blessing if we be taught from it. I do know that’s what I’m onerous at work attempting to do, and I do know our guys are too.”
The Patriots ran simply 18 complete performs within the second half towards the Payments and managed 100 yards and three first downs.
Quarterback Drake Maye, who had a chance to mount his first fourth-quarter comeback, was 5-of-12 for 47 yards with an interception and no passing touchdowns.
Maye, specifically, has struggled extra within the second halves of video games since Week 9, throwing only one landing and three interceptions. He’s accomplished 73.2% of his passes within the first halves of these video games and simply 57.0% within the second halves.
In the end, up till the Patriots’ loss to the Payments, they have been nonetheless in a position to win regardless of their struggles within the second half.
They do face a tricky problem this week towards the Ravens, nevertheless, in order that they’ll must hold their foot on the gasoline pedal all through the second half, even when they’ve gotten out to a commanding lead.
The Patriots’ protection is coping with accidents to key gamers heading into Sunday’s matchup, so the offense will doubtless want to hold them to victory.
