Unfortunately, the Patriots version doesn’t hit with the same timing as James changes the play again. The Chargers safety sniffs out the play design, changes Douglas’ rush path and Maye’s throw never lands cleanly to Pop, and James falls on the fumble to set LA up on the NE 44.

“We practiced the piece for a long time. I felt like we executed it well. They happened to get the nickel over the edge and I think it’s just right next to Pop and that’s unfortunate. Just good.” “I have to give him a better ball to catch,” Maye told reporters.

Although the quarterback needs to make a better throw, the overall picture suggests that offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt is a dunce. Like the reverse pass/fumble six in Buffalo, AVP needs to know its personnel limitations. Currently, the Patriots don’t have the offensive personnel to execute a high-level plan like the Bills did with their touchdown.

Ideally, the Pats could execute a play like this as a nice counter to their stacked throwing plans. But they’re not there yet as an insult. As a play-caller, Van Pelt needs to know this and call plays that players can make on the field, even if it means they’re more inconspicuous.

4. Patriots are forced to make a change at center, but rookie OT Caedan Wallace doesn’t start

As previously mentioned, the Patriots allowed a 54.8% pressure rate against the Chargers, the highest pressure rate Maye has seen in a game since becoming the starter. Talk about shiny new toys all you want at wide receiver. Maye and the offense will continue to fail until the Patriots fix their offensive line. Every draft and free agency conversation should be about Cam Robinson, Will Campbell or Kelvin Banks.

However, the Patriots got a look at former first-rounder Cole Strange at center late in the season. Strange had a few mental errors while playing a new position, including missing an off-ball blitz and snapping the ball early when the rest of the offense wasn’t ready. He also had trouble moving bodies in the running game, but the entire O-line wasn’t generating any movement against LA’s front. We’ll see what the film looks like tomorrow.

Another decision the coach made was to stick with third-round rookie Ceadan Wallace at right tackle when Trey Jacobs was waived. Wallace was active during the game, but other than 14 snaps in mop-up duty, he was not used on offense. They should prioritize Wallace’s reps in Week 18.

Again, the Patriots’ offensive line is this team’s biggest weakness. Maye has taken some of the pressure on himself, but overall it’s a weekly affair to begin with. I’m sorry, Tet McMillan, but New England needs to build a real football team, and that starts in the trenches.

5. Speaking of trenches, the Pats pass rush continues to be ineffective

Another concerning trend for the Patriots throughout the season is the lack of pressure on quarterbacks. New England managed just seven total pressured dropbacks against Herbert, or 17.5%, which is a familiar theme. This season, the Pats rank 30th in team pressure rate (28.6%). Along with the offensive line and wide receiver, the pass rusher is the most important offseason player.

After making some headlines earlier this week, DE sophomore Keion White reiterated his frustration with the defense in his postgame comments. White’s role was reduced slightly to passing downs, with the 2023 second-rounder playing 38 snaps while logging two of the team’s seven pressures.

“If no changes are made, what do we do? Again, the NFL is a production-based company. “So if we don’t do something to change our production, which means a loss, what are we doing?” White told reporters in the Patriots’ locker room after the game. White then admitted that it starts with him improving himself too.

The question that needs to be answered is: Is defensive regression solely talent-based? After ranking ninth in DVOA last season, New England ranked 30th in DVOA entering the week and then allowed the Chargers a season-high 40 points. From that perspective, one can question whether the Pats are getting the proper coaching on the defensive side of the ball.

6. Stevenson starts despite indications of demotion due to fumbling issues

During his pregame interview with 98.5’s Scott Zolak, Coach Mayo said Antonio Gibson would start in place of leadback Rhamondre Stevenson on Saturday. Last week, Stevenson fumbled for a major-league seventh time, and now he has as many fumbles this season as he has in his first three seasons combined. However, when the Pats’ starting offense took the field, Stevenson was among those who took the first snap. In fact, the play call was a rushed attempt by Stevenson.

“It was just a coach’s decision,” Coach Mayo said. “I understand your question. Look, it’s a coach’s decision. So I’ll leave it at that.”

Despite our best efforts, we didn’t get a good explanation as to why Coach Mayo changed course by using Stevenson on Saturday.

7. Highlighting the wide receiver rotation for the Patriots offense

While the Chargers’ talented rookies made plays, the Patriots’ rookie wideouts didn’t play much on Saturday. Douglas led the way in both snaps (45) and receiving yards (46). Here were the snap counts for the Pats wideouts: Douglas (45), Boutte (36), Bourne (34), Polk (12), Baker (11).

8. Special teams ace Brenden Schooler makes one final pitch for the Pro Bowl

Although there weren’t many highlights, one of them was the play of special teams star Brenden Schooler. Schooler continued to build his Pro Bowl-level resume with a tackle on the first kickoff, another forced fair catch and a drawn penalty that negated a big return.