Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots - 2018 Revisited: Week 2 - Locked On Patriots May 21, 2019

Episode Date: May 21, 2019

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hey there boys and girls and welcome on in to a melancholy and the infinite sadness edition of Locked On Patriots. Mark Schofield in the big chair trying to piece it all together after the New England Patriots fall in an AFC Championship game rematch to the Jacksonville Jaguars down in Jacksonville, 31-20. And some of you that are in my age demographic, so to speak, might recognize the title reference, might hopefully recognize the music there. That's right, Melancholy and the Infinite Sadness. That is the title of a 1995

two-disc, 28-track album from the Smashing Pumpkins. And the title track to that album, that's the instrumental you heard there, Melancholy and the Infinite Sadness. An album, like I said, came out in October of 1995. That is the fall of my freshman year in college. You want to talk about an album, a list, a set of tracks that were like formative for me, a freshman away from home for the real first time in his life, playing college football, finding himself as a backup quarterback when he expected to just be like a fifth string dude, trying to piece everything together with a long distance relationship. And where were we? Oh. Look, as much as I'd love to sit here and talk smash and pumpkins for the next 20 minutes,

talk 1979 for the next 20 minutes, talk tonight tonight for the next 20 minutes, unfortunately, there is some business to tend to. Now, it could be worse. We could be members of the New England Patriots and their coaching staff getting on a plane in the next couple of minutes here to fly back to New England trying to piece it all together from their perspective. Thankfully, we're just on the outside looking in. But let's face it, that was a tough one to watch. That was a tough one to swallow. And I'm sure there's going to be a lot of sleepless nights, a lot of restless flyers on that plane back to Logan. But as I said at the outset, Patriots drop one down in Jacksonville, 31-20 to the Jacksonville Jaguars. I'm Mark Schofield and welcome into the second installment of 2018 Revisited. The series, the summer series, the off-season series where we look back at the 2018 season from the New England Patriots.

Starting all the way back in week one, which was yesterday's show. Today, in episode two, we was yesterday's show, today in episode two, we're going to talk about that week two contest, an AFC championship game rematch against the Jacksonville Jaguars down in what was a hot and steamy Jacksonville in week two of the 2018 season. Now, what you heard there was the beginning of the September 17th, 2018 episode of Locked On Patriots. It was the first of what would be a couple of melancholy and the infinite sadness installments of the Locked On Patriots podcast. In the wake of New England's loss to the Jacksonville

Jaguars, a 31-20 loss, I kind of went off script at the outset because I didn't really want to talk about this game too much and who can blame me. At the end of the first quarter the Patriots trailed 14 to nothing and there were no signs that the Patriots were going to be able to claw back into this game. Now let's remember let's sort of set the stage for this contest. This was an AFC Championship game rematch. Jacksonville Jaguars had gone into Gillette Stadium in the AFC Championship game a season prior, and it seemed like they had that game locked up. But they took their foot off the gas pedal a bit,

and perhaps they let the Patriots back into the game. The Patriots did capitalize with another fourth-quarter comeback led by Tom Brady that earned them a berth in Super Bowl LI 52 where they would eventually fall to the Philadelphia Eagles. Now the Patriots got the ball first in this game and after their initial drive stalled, Stingwistowski came out on a fourth and seven of the Jacksonville 36 to attempt a 54-yard field goal. What happened next was kind of the tone setter. You cannot drop back 45 times and score consistently against this Jaguars defense. He'll try it from 54. Gostkowski's kick is going to be wide of the mark and Jacksonville will be

set up at the 44 with its first snap. Stephen Gostkowski pushed that field goal attempt wide to the right. And that set up, as you heard from Jim Nance, the Jaguars offense with incredible field position. Would they capitalize? Well, did they ever. Jacksonville goes right down the field and they end up punching it into the end zone on this red zone throw. A fade route from Blake Bortles to Dante Moncrief

working against, of all of the Patriots defenders, Stephon Gilmore. With the quarterback, your ability to hand it off, and then fake the read, handoff, and the little bootleg with a guy coming back across the field. You know, they have all this unique stuff. This one, they just want to fake a handoff or give it to him right here. Let's grant the running back. Pass to the end zone And it is pulled down

And it is caught for the touchdown Dante Moncrief The former Colts You see Moncrief on Gilmore Gilmore's inside leverage So he doesn't get a chance to see the ball Bortles with a perfect throw high above Gilmore's head Moncrief sees the ball Gilmore can't Gilmore gets beat on the play because he has inside leverage as we heard there from Tony Robo he's trying to force this throw to the outside to the boundary he's giving them the

fade route saying look I'm not going to get beat inside here. I'm going to make you make the perfect throw. And Blake Bortles does just that. He puts the ball to Moncrief to the outside. It's high. It's away from the defender. Gilmore doesn't have the leverage advantage to make a play on this throw. The defense asks the quarterback and receiver to execute the perfect play. And Jacksonville does just that on Bortles to Moncrief for a touchdown. This would not be the first. This would not be the only Jacksonville touchdown of the first half. They got two more.

First, there was a touchdown throw from Blake Bortles to Keenan Cole beating Eric Rowe on a nine round. This is absolutely, Bill Belichick told us in the meeting, we cannot get off to a bad start. If they get to play from the lead, we have to change the way that we call this football game, and we don't want to do that against this team. Bortles has found six different targets.

First down from the Patriots, 24. Going to the end zone, he's there, and it is caught by Cole! This time a much more conventional catch than the other one on this drive. Stay in the stadium this time. See you, Bo Jackson. Come on back and play. Yeah, that's right.

When Bo ran up the ramp. Unbelievable. Look at it. Tom even said it, too. You can't get off the start. He beats Eric Rowe. Slows his body. That's a catch. That's a touchdown. The trailing off voice there from Tony Romo reminded us and reminded Patriots fans that

with the decision to let Malcolm Butler go, Eric Rowe stepped in across for Stephon Gilmore and was tasked to be that cornerback too and on this snap on this throw he was not up to the challenge. Kenan Cole beats him on a vertical route. Blake Borders makes another perfect throw. Now Jacksonville is up 14 to 3 but yes they were not done because before the half the Patriots found themselves on the receiving end of what they do to so many different teams. The score right before halftime to give that home crowd something to cheer about headed into the break. Third and three. Borders. Good time. Lofts it. Wide open.

Safarian Jenkins with the Jaguar touchdown. With that touchdown pass from Blake Borders to one of the newest members of the New England Patriots, Austin Safarian Jenkins, Jacksonville found themselves on the positive end of a 21-3 halftime lead. The play in question came on a route concept sometimes known as double China or double ends, where the two outside receivers run in-breaking routes, and then number three, the inside receiver in the trips formation runs a corner route, breaking to the outside and over the top of those in-breaking routes from the outside. Austin Zafarian runs that route, gets over the top of the two slant routes that are coming to the inside and gets away, gets that outside leverage advantage against Patriots safety

Patrick Chun. Bortles makes yet another great throw and Jacksonville fans are elated at a 21-3 halftime lead. Would they stay elated with the Patriots clawed back into this game and eke out another comeback victory? Or would Jacksonville learn the lessons from the January prior and hold on, staying aggressive, and sealing the victory? We'll find out up next here at Locked on Patriots. But before we do that, a reminder, today's show is brought to you by some great sponsors,

including Hotels.com, Untuckit.com, and Grip6Belts. Our friends over at Hotels.com, they want to remind you, don't hate like your friend's vacation. Make a great memory of your own. Get to Hotels.com and get rewarded basically everywhere. Hotels.com. Be there. Do that.

Get rewarded. Mark Schofield back with you now going through the second installment of 2018 Revisited, the off-season series where we take a look back week by week at the New England Patriots and their 2018 campaign that got off to a bit of a rocky start. That's the part we're getting through right now, but obviously culminated with yet another Lombardi trophy. We are going through week two, that AFC Championship game rematch between the New England Patriots and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Jacksonville, just in the previous AFC Championship game, had a lead late in that contest against the New England Patriots on the road. But they got somewhat conservative at the end of that game and it opened the door for New England to storm their way back into the contest and secure yet another AFC championship and a berth in the Super Bowl. Now, interestingly enough, Eagles head coach Doug Peterson admitted after Super Bowl 52 that he watched the end of this game. He saw how Jacksonville got conservative at the end and vowed that if he got a chance to play against New England, he would stay aggressive. We all know how that ended, obviously, with plays like Philly Special. But back to Week 2, the New England Patriots found themselves on the wrong end of a 21-3 halftime lead by the Jacksonville Jaguars. And things got tougher for the New England Patriots.

Jacksonville got the open possession of the second half, and they pulled off their own double dip. We just heard how they closed the first half with a touchdown throw from Blake Bortles to Austin Jafarian-Jakins. Now the Patriots defense kept them out of the end zone on Jacksonville's first possession, the first possession of the second half, but Jacksonville pulled off a 15-play, 71-yard drive that melked seven minutes and 10 seconds off the clock. That culminated in a field goal that pushed the lead to 24-3. Now, New England, they could not get anything going on their first possession of the second

half. They go three plays, five yards, and they are forced to punt. Jacksonville offense takes over. They get a chance here to basically put a knockout blow on this game, but the defense, yes, the Patriots defense, they step up and give their offense a takeaway by New England. Bortles hit Jacksonville rookie wide receiver DJ Chark on a quick little slant route. Chark working against veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore,

who was giving him some cushion, giving him some off coverage, but Gilmore reacted incredibly well. Stripped the football at the catch point, forced the fumble, and Daron Harmon, the closer, picks it up, giving the Patriots some new life. Would the Patriots capitalize? Well, eventually they did. On a third and goal play, Chris Hogan found himself open in the end zone. Tom Brady took advantage of a rotation in the coverage,

away from Hogan and towards Rob Gronkowski, the Gronkowski effect as it were, and the Patriots were back in business. Gronk lined up at the bottom of your screen. Right now he has Gibson on him. Got to be double teamed, but the problem is you got your back one-on-one. Here's Brady. Rifles it. Touchdown, New England. Chris Hogan.

They take advantage of the turnover by Chark. And the rookie drops his head knowing how big that was as the Patriots have life. Three defenders over here, and you're going to see three and four go to Gronk and the back. Brady goes to the side of the field with everyone over there with their one-on-one. Look at that. Look at the space there. That's because you have Gronk and your back on one side, and those are the two defenders that they wanted to double. The touchdown strike from Brady to Hogan was, yes, an example of the Gronkowski effect.

As you heard it described there by Tony Romo, the defense rotated their coverage towards Rob Gronkowski, which opened up the middle of the field and opened up an opportunity for Brady. The yes rifle one in there showed great velocity and placement on this slant route to Hogan for the touchdown, but the Patriots were not done. They forced a three and out from Jacksonville on Jacksonville's next possession. They gained just one yard and just used one minute and five seconds. Patriots get the ball back. They go five plays, 31 yards, and Gostowski connects on a field goal. And the Patriots, early in the fourth quarter, they have a 24-13 deficit,

but they're making their way back into this game, now down by just two scores. The task would get a little easier on Jacksonville's next possession. As we indicated, they were going to stay aggressive. So with just under 14 minutes to go in the contest, Jacksonville faces a second and nine on their own 18-yard line. Rather than run the ball, they're going to put it in Blake Bortles' hands, and what happens next really opens that door for New England to continue their comeback.

Outstanding start to your career, and it looks like he's the real deal, Jim. I mean, it's going to be fun watching him grow. Second and nine, and Bortles has time, and the pass is in the air, and it's intercepted by Van Noy. Should have been caught. That wasn't on the court. Quarterback, Safarian Jenkins, got hit, didn't hold on,

and another takeaway by this Patriot defense. Going to the well one too many times. Blake's got to see. Safety 31 right there standing in front of him. Jones is right there. You can't do that. The Patriots did get another short field thanks to that Kyle Van Noy interception. Van Noy was able to make the interception because Jonathan Jones showed great coverage on the play on a crossing

route underneath route. Got to the catch point. Tipped the ball in the air. Kyle Van Noy makes the interception at the Jacksonville 25-yard line. So let's set the stage now. There's 13-23 left in this game. The Patriots trail by 11. They have the ball at the plus 25. A touchdown, even a field goal here, is ideal because that would get it to a one-score game. You're down 11. You get three. It makes it an eight-point game. You get the touchdown. Two-point conversion makes it a three-point game. Then you're really going to see how aggressive Jacksonville will remain. they stay aggressive they just threw an interception you could really change the complexion of this game now the Patriots on the ensuing possession what do they do Tom Brady first down pass from

James White falls incomplete on second down James White up the middle for one yard set on the stage for a third and out of the Jacksonville 24 and perhaps the pivotal play of the game. Paul better get up in the air or do something. Brady. Ball is out. Bumbled. Jacksonville with the recovery. Dante Fowler, who got to Brady a couple of times back in January he got to him again this time well I'm shocked one mistake finally is that at this situation you cannot let this D-line defeat you they are this is way too good Dante Fowler comes in off the edge look at the bottom

of your screen he's gonna run right around Waddle's speed off the edge. Dante Fowler is able to beat backup tackle Adrian Waddle off the edge. Marcus Cannon sidelined at that moment. And it is the Jacksonville defense instead, which rises to the occasion. Rather than New England getting a chance to cut this to a one-score game, Jacksonville's defense steps up. They force the strip sack of Brady. Brady tries to climb the pocket. Fowler shows the awareness and the play speed

and the athleticism to run the arc against Waddle. Beat him with speed. Get that arm out and force the fumble. And instead, rather little one-point game. It's still 11 points with under 13 minutes now to go. Jacksonville, they don't do anything offensively.

Thankfully for the New England Patriots, the defense steps up. They force a punt. The Patriots offense gets the ball back with 9-37, so you're thinking, okay, yes, they're buried. They're at their own 9-yard line, but they get a chance to perhaps again make a drive, get it to a one-score game.

Unfortunately, on 3rd and 5, Brady's pass to James White is initially ruled a first down, but Jacksonville throws the challenge flag. They challenge the spot. The play was reversed. Brady's pass to White was now ruled just a four-yard gain, so it was fourth and one of the 18.

The Patriots send the punt team out. However, Jacksonville appears to jump off sides, but rather than capitalize on that, the Patriots freeze. They don't touch the defender who jumps off sides and crosses the line of scrimmage. Brandon King gets an airfield from Bill Belichick, but instead the Patriots again have to get the punt off. And Jacksonville, they don't waste long. One play, 61 yards.

Blake Bortles to D.D. Westbrook for the game's dagger. Still throwing. Anything but conservative. Jacksonville crosses midfield. Westbrook's still in bounds. Got a blocker up ahead. It's Cole. He's racing down the sideline for the touchdown. The simple crossing route from Bortles to Westbrook, eerily reminiscent of the Juju Smith-Schuster play in that Patriots regular season game against Pittsburgh just a year prior.

A huge catch and run, given Jacksonville the knockout blow. That long touchdown gave Jacksonville a 31-13 lead. And while the Patriots would tack on a touchdown on their ensuing possession, it would be too little too late. And Jacksonville salted away a 31-20 victory in that AFC Championship game rematch. So what did we learn and what was the pivotal play? We'll break that all down next here at Locked On Patriots. Mark Schofield back with you now on installment two of 2018 Revisited.

This offseason series taking a look at the Patriots and their 2018 campaign, which started off on a little bit of a down note, but as we all know, culminated in their sixth Super Bowl championship. We're talking about week two right now. The Patriots lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars in that AFC championship game rematch from a season ago, a season prior. And let's talk about the two pivotal plays of this game as well as what we've learned about the Patriots in this contest. And first, let's talk about that strip sack of Tom Brady with 12.35 left in the fourth quarter in the game's final frame. And this was a huge opportunity for New England. 39 and plus territory. You got a chance to cut it to a one score game. You're down 11 at the time. The Patriots, they try basically

a multi-level concept on this pass and play. They have Rob Gronkowski as Y.I.S.O. He's to the left of the formation and a runner back to the left of Tom Brady. And what they're trying to do is they're trying to work James White, who's actually aligned, starts this play to the outside and a trips formation,

motions to the inside to give Brady a look at his man coverage. He's going to run a deep post route over the top of Gronkowski, who's running the dig route underneath it. Kind of a mini variation of the Mills concept, which again is a post and a dig route. And Brady tries to climb the pocket here. He will get immediate pressure to his right off the edge by Dante Fowler. Brady wants to work the dig route to Gronkowski. White's post route creates some traffic and it creates a little bit of traffic, just enough perhaps for the safety who's going to try to come down on this and

cover Gronkowski. Similar to the sort of cut call we had in yesterday's show when we were talking about week one against the Houston Texans. The safety is going to break downhill to try to take away that dig route from Gronkowski. But there is still a window where Brady can make this throw right at the sticks and perhaps move the chains. But he doesn't climb the pocket quickly enough. Fowler gets beaten around. Fowler beats Adrian Waddell around the edge. And it's just a pure speed move.

He doesn't do anything that's out of the ordinary. He just comes out of the blocks. Adrian Waddell's kick slot is a bit too slow and just a few steps upfield Fowler already has him beat to the outside. Lenny's able to sort of dip, sink the hips, use that off arm, that right arm to get under Waddell and sort of anchor and turn and he then uses that right arm after he disengages from Waddell to swipe at the football. To his credit, Waddell does a pretty good job of holding and stripping Fowler and keeping him away from the ball but the defensive end is still able to get to the football and cause the strip sack fumble recovery. Now as I mentioned, there was one more huge play and that was a play that gave us all

a little bit of concern. Crossing routes remained a problem for the New England Patriots early in the season, and on this penultimate play, in a sense, the sort of dagger play, what do the Jacksonville Jaguars do? They basically run mesh. They have D.D. Westbrook running the shallow crosser from right to left. Austin Safarian-Jenkins the tight end, he runs a shallow just over the top of it from left to right, occupies some space, picks off a defender the linebacker and Westbrook is wide open. Then you get missed tackles. Maybe this is where the sort of fatigue kicks in. You get a missed tackle in the flat by Kyle Van Nooy, can't make the tackle on the sideline.

You get a block downfield on one defender, and then it's just a simple foot race. Patriots early in the season. We're going to talk about it more in tomorrow's show, but the game against the Detroit Lions in Week 3. They struggled against crossing routes early, and it was a holdover from the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl loss to the eagles and this was just one play that kind of you know put that proverbial you know dagger knocked the new england

patriots out from the comeback here now what did we learn about the patriots one we still saw this defense yeah they gave up the huge play here but they got the opportunities for their offense you had the fumble early when stefan gmore punches it out from DJ Chark. And the recovery. You get the interception that sets up the Patriots with a short field situation. But they couldn't capitalize. Tom Brady gets strip sacked. You have a couple of punt situations.

And they missed some opportunities both early and late that would have kept them in this game. Yes, the defense put them in a hole early We heard earlier in this show Tony Romo sort of talking about how when he talked to Belichick before this game He was worried about them having a slow start. They had that slow start They go down 21 to 3 But the defense allowed them to claw back into it and that was going to be sort of a theme about This season the defense doing enough to keep them in games and then getting better as the season wore on this was a tough loss to

swallow at the time you heard it at the start of the show we're gonna have one more tough loss in the tomorrow's show when we talk about week three but then the season starts to turn around a bit so we'll have some more sadness to work through before we get to week four and that win against the Miami Dolphins But it's all part of the big story That beautiful, beautiful landscape That was the 2018 season As Bill Belichick always says

You want to be playing your best football Come January and February And the Patriots, as we saw last year And perhaps we'll even see it in the year ahead They did just that Next time, week three At Detroit, Sunday night.

The debacle it had. Many of us wondering just how good can this team really be? Or, are we seeing perhaps the end of the era? That's tomorrow on Locked on Patriots. Thank you.