Mike Vrabel is heading back to Tennessee as his New England Patriots look for their fourth straight win to further their lead atop the AFC East.
So before kickoff, let’s get right into this week’s #PostPulpit
Mailbag.
Who’s to blame for the running game woes? The line, the RBs, the scheme? Some combination? And how do we fix it this season? – berkelium
Is the running game ineffectiveness due to the running backs? The blockers? The coaches? All of the above? – Ricky Hot Pants
The thing with the run game is that it is just never one issue. As we discussed last week, the Patriots running backs rank near the bottom of the league is avoiding tackles which has limited their ability to break short runs into explosives. Mike Vrabel also noted that both Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson may also be prioritizing ball security over breaking tackles.
Against the Saints, however, the run game started to go backwards (eight runs for zero or negative yards) which was largely due to the offensive line as the Patriots generated just 0.7 rushing yards before contact. Issues primarily stemmed from the interior as Jared Wilson struggled at the point of attack and old friend Davon Godchaux made life difficult for Garrett Bradbury. Mike Onwenu also had some losses lead to stuffs, while Will Campbell struggled along the backside and Stefon Diggs was on scene for a pair of losses.
Short story short: the execution needs to be better all around. The two personnel changes that could be made are Ben Brown inserted along the interior and a more physical fullback (perhaps using a defensive tackle?) to generate more push up front. But, with pass pro holding up in front of Drake Maye, changing the offensive line could be a slippery slope.
Do you think teams will continue to stack the box now that the Patriots have demonstrated the deep pass the last game. – Mike337
The Patriots offense is facing one of the highest rates of single-high safeties in football which allows for defenses to play additional defenders in the box. Now, Maye and the receivers have carved those looks up lately as the QB ranks first in passing yards and second in EPA per drop back (+0.35).
If defenses adjust to more two-high shells (something Tennessee does anyway) to limit the passing attack, perhaps that leads to more room and success on the ground. The issue, however, is New England has not had success this season rushing against the light boxes they do get.
The RB room is thin and if Stevenson or Henderson gets hurt, the Pats will be hurting also. Any scoop on the Pats picking up a RB anytime soon, if so, who? – Patriotpower
If they do not think Terrell Jennings, who played zero offensive snaps against New Orleans, is capable of serving as the RB3 this season then they need to make a move. You can’t get through the season with just two running backs on the active roster.
The name we’ll continue to monitor is Cleveland’s Jerome Ford. In the last year of his deal, Ford’s role has diminished this season after the Browns’ draft selections of both Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson, while he also has kick return experience. Vrabel additionally has experience with the player from his time with the Browns last year.
Some other names buried on depth charts: Devin Singletary (NYG), Dameon Pierce (HOU), Roschon Johnson (CHI).
A better running back, I feel, would obviously help both the running and passing attack. Breece Hall and Devon Achane are considered to be tradable by the NFL Network. Do you think the Jets or Dolphins would trade one of them to the Pats? – Depotfox
Achane could be tougher to acquire being under contract through the 2026 season, but Hall being in a contract year could open the door for an in-division trade depending on the return. We did just see Cleveland trade Joe Flacco to the Bengals, so it is possible.
Given the surprising improvement of both the offense and defense, what are the two most important positions for the Patriots to target for upgrade that would take this team from a playoff team to a Super Bowl contender? – CooBear
What should be our priority, if any, at the trade deadline? Thank you. – jpd685
Continuing with the running back theme, that would be near the top of my list with just Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson on the active roster and both struggling. From there, depth along the defensive side of the football is where I would look. New England feels thin specifically along the edge and at safety.
While I would not be upset with a move for a player of Chris Olave’s talent, wide receiver doesn’t feel like a pressing need to me. This group has been getting open downfield and making plays when opportunities present themselves, while the belief remains there is more to unlock from rookie Kyle Williams as the season progresses as well. Acquiring a bonafide No. 1 pass catcher feels more like an offseason move.
Is Rashid Shaheed a real possible option for the Patriots? – mathblaster97
I like Shaheed a lot, but don’t think he’s worthy of trading for and then having to extend when a player like Kyle Williams is already on the roster with a similar skillset. See what you have in the rookie, who has shown some flashes on film in limited action.
Should a Kayshon Boutte extension start to come into consideration? – Pat in Agawam
Boutte is extension eligible after the season and signed through the 2026 season. There’s no reason to rush — especially if bigger moves are coming this offseason at receiver — but he’s definitely playing himself into a second contract.
Just hypothetically…..let’s assume that the Patriots do make the playoffs. Since it seems like the Ravens and the Bengals won’t be playoff eligible, how far do you think the Patriots could go in the postseason? – Sweat-Man-Boobs
Drake Maye is playing at a MVP level currently. They have areas to clean up (the running game), but if you’re quarterback is doing that in the playoffs anything is possible.
This will be the first matchup against a rookie quarterback for the Patriot defense this year. How do you think the Patriots will attack this not so successful rookie Cam Ward? – coolbeanz
Titans talk! Ward’s situation has some similarities to Maye last year as a QB with plenty of physical ability needing to do it all playing with a less-than-ideal supporting cast. The results have not been great as the Titans offense ranks year last in DVOA and 31st averaging 13.8 points per game leading to the firing of Brian Callahan.
Despite some bad turnovers last week against Las Vegas, Ward ranks 10th among qualified quarterbacks with a 2.0 percent turnover worthy play rate. He has, however, struggled against pressure — which is where the Raiders got to him last week — playing behind a struggling offensive line. With Tennessee also moving off their offensive line coach, I would expect some unique pressure looks from New England in order to test the rookie and the communication up front.
That’s all for this week’s #PostPulpit mailbag. If you have questions you’d liked to be answered next week, submit them online in our weekly submission post or on Twitter using #PostPulpit. Make sure to be following @iambrianhines and @PatsPulpit as well.
