New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels answered criticism of an overly static offense by making pre-snap motion central to Sunday’s 29-26 win over the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots used motion on 75.3% of their offensive plays, their highest single-game rate since Week 15 of 2023, while also posting season highs in play-action rate and rushing success rate.
Locked On Patriots host Nick Cattles called it McDaniels’ most versatile plan through four games, pointing to the larger menu of formations, personnel groupings, motion and play-action concepts. McDaniels used heavier looks, including packages with six offensive linemen, then built play-action throws off the appearance of a downhill run game.
The shift produced tangible results. The offense used play action on 35.7% of its snaps and finished with a 44.8% rushing success rate, a major improvement from its first three games. Cattles highlighted an unbalanced third-and-1 look in the third quarter when Morgan Moses flipped sides and the Patriots used extra blockers to create a 6-yard conversion.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye benefited from the added disguise and run-action opportunities, completing 22 of 37 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns. Cattles said Maye’s film was stronger than his live showing because of his improved pocket movement, decision-making and willingness to fit throws into tight windows.
McDaniels now has a clearer template for an offense that had struggled with predictability: Use motion to force defensive declarations, create favorable blocking angles in the run game, and let Maye attack after the defense reacts. The Patriots, now 2-2, host the 3-1 Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 11.
Patriots News and Notes
– Cattles said defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr’s zone-heavy approach helped limit Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen despite the absence of Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (shoulder) and defensive tackle Christian Barmore (shoulder). The defense used zone coverage on more than 70% of its snaps, according to the host’s film review.
– Cattles also identified tackle Will Campbell as a concern after a difficult pass-protection outing. He said Campbell allowed several pressures and needed fullback Reggie Gilliam’s late help on Rhamondre Stevenson’s touchdown run.
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