The New England Patriots offense was on full display on Sunday as the offense put up 29 points in a 29-26 victory over the division-rival Buffalo Bills.
Quarterback Drake Maye turned back into the MVP runner-up from last season with three touchdowns and over 300 total scrimmage yards. And the running game got going as well, with 143 yards and a Rhamondre Stevenson touchdown.
Despite the offense’s production, one glaring issue that needs to be addressed is the team’s right guard position.
With both Mike Onwenu (ankle) and backup Greg Van Roten (thigh) on Injured Reserve, New England turned to backup center Ben Brown to fill in at right guard.
In his first career start at the position, Brown struggled mightily against the Bills’ defensive line, allowing three pressures in pass protection. One of these pressures led to Drake Maye’s first-half fumble.
Maye was able to overcome a glaring offensive line issue and put together his best game of the year. But with no additional positional depth on the roster, New England will have to acquire someone from outside the organization to at least compete with Brown for the starting role.
Future Outlook
Opposing defensive coordinators now have an entire game’s worth of film on New England’s altered offensive line and will continuously test it by attacking the A-gap with bull rushes and delayed blitzes.
New England’s offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and offensive line coach Doug Marrone will have to get creative with chips from the tight ends or bootlegs to get Drake Maye rolling to his right to counteract this position of weakness.
As things stand, one interior collapse would be devastating for the Patriots’ right guard position and may cost them a game. Drake Maye was able to conquer the Bills’ pass rush on Sunday, but until the right guard position stabilizes, the Patriots’ interior offensive line is playing with fire.
