The New England Patriots are faltering on offense, particularly in the passing game, and play-caller Josh McDaniels thinks a problem with star wide receiver Stefon Diggs and prolific tight end Hunter Henry is to blame.
McDaniels pointed out how “teams have been doubling Stefon Diggs and Hunter Henry,” per MassLive.com’s Mark Daniels.
This problem showed up a lot during the Pats’ collapse against the Buffalo Bills in Week 15. McDaniels lamented how “They doubled Stef (Diggs) a number of times in the game the other day,” McDaniels said. “There’s teams that haven’t done anything like that. And teams that are starting to sprinkle some things in there … there’s no shortcut to winning against man-to-man coverage. It’s a one-on-one game across the board. Sometimes you have a scheme that’s really perfect for it. Sometimes you do not,” per Daniels’ colleague Karen Guregian.
Receivers not being able to win the one-on-one matchups McDaniels referenced explains why his offense scored just seven points after halftime. Diggs, who snagged a mere three catches all game, was left to attempt to put a positive spin on a disappointing result.
Getting second-year quarterback Drake Maye’s primary pass-catchers more involved is McDaniels’ priority. The task should start with upping Diggs’ targets.
Stefon Diggs Needs More Involvement
Diggs sounds less than comfortable about adjusting to seeing fewer passers thrown in his direction. That’s understandable for a four-time Pro Bowler with six 1,000-yard seasons on his career CV.
McDaniels has attempted to downplay the diminishing target share for Diggs, but the Pats have greater potential for big plays through the air when No. 8 is more involved. Yet, making Diggs more active is not a straightforward task.
The Patriots need stronger protection in front of Maye, who has been sacked 43 times through 14 games, according to Pro Football Reference. It’s not been easy for the offensive line to hold up while rookie left tackle Will Campbell sits on injured reserve, but getting Maye more time in the pocket will give Diggs extra seconds to escape double coverage.
One more way to free Diggs is to take attention away from him. That won’t happen unless another receiver steps up.
It’s supposed to be Henry, but he’s also drawing a crowd too often.
Patriots Losing Safety Valve
Henry is a worthy safety valve for Maye, a safe pair of hands between the numbers who is at his best in the red zone. Unfortunately, Henry’s value isn’t being overlooked by defenses increasingly willing to body No. 85 at the line of scrimmage and double up in space.
The extra bodies around him limited Henry to just three targets against the Bills. He became a victim of the new blueprint teams are using to frustrate potential league MVP Maye.
What Maye needs is for another receiver to emerge as a consistent playmaker. The problem is the Patriots don’t possess a third game-breaking receiver.
It’s not Mack Hollins, whose expanded role against the Bills was the subject of criticism. Meanwhile, McDaniels hasn’t found enough ways to involve Hollins’ fellow wideouts DeMario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte, neither of whom have clocked more than 30 receptions this season.
Viable alternatives to Diggs and Henry are in short supply, so McDaniels will need to get creative. He’s been praised for the smart way he’s protected Maye, but now’s the time for the OC who’s won six Super Bowl rings with the franchise, to come up with something new to free Diggs and Henry.
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