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

“We’ve practiced the play for a long time. I felt like we were executing it well. They happened to bring the nickel off the edge, and I think he just kind of – right by Pop, and that’s unfortunate. Just a good call on their part. I’ve got to give him a better ball to catch,” Maye told reporters.

Although the quarterback needs to make a better toss, the bigger-picture issue speaks to a nitpick of offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. Like the backward pass/fumble-six in Buffalo, AVP needs to know his personnel limitations. Currently, the Patriots don’t have the offensive personnel to execute a high-level scheme like the Bills did on their touchdown.

Ideally, the Pats could execute a play like this as a nice counter to their staple toss schemes. But, as an offense, they’re not there yet. As the play-caller, Van Pelt needs to know that and call plays that the players on the field can execute, even if that means being more vanilla.

4. Patriots Forced Into Switch at Center, But Rookie OT Caedan Wallace Doesn’t Start

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

That said, the Patriots did get a late-season look at former first-rounder Cole Strange at center. Strange had a few mental miscues playing a new position, including missing an off-ball blitzer and snapping the early when the rest of the offense wasn’t ready. He also struggled to move bodies in the run game, but the entire O-Line didn’t generate any movements vs. LA’s front. We’ll see how the film looks tomorrow.

Another coaching decision was to stick with waiver-claim Trey Jacobs over third-round cookie Ceadan Wallace at right tackle. Wallace was active for the game, but besides 14 snaps in mop-up duty, didn’t see the field on offense. They should prioritize reps for Wallace in Week 18.

Again, the Patriots offensive line is the biggest weakness on this team. Maye invited some of the pressure, but on the whole, it’s a weekly issue up front. I’m sorry, Tet McMillan truthers, but New England has to build a proper football team, and that starts in the trenches.

5. Speaking of the Trenches, the Pats Pass Rush Continues to be Ineffective

Another troubling season-long trend for the Patriots is the lack of pressure on quarterbacks. New England managed just seven total pressured drop-backs on Herbert, or 17.5%, which is a familiar theme. On the season, the Pats are 30th in team pressure rate (28.6%). Along with offensive line and wide receiver, pass-rusher is at top offseason need.

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

“If changes aren’t made, then what are we doing? Again, the NFL is a production-based business, so if we’re not doing anything to change our production, which is loss, what are we doing?” White told reporters in the Patriots locker room following the game. White then acknowledged that it starts with him improving himself as well.

The question that needs answering is, is the defensive regression all talent-based? After ranking ninth in DVOA last season, New England entered the week ranked 30th in DVOA, then allowed a season-high 40 points to the Chargers. From this perspective, it’s fair to wonder if the Pats are getting the proper coaching on the defensive side of the ball.

6. Stevenson Starts Despite Hints at Being Demoted Following Fumbling Issues

During his pre-game interview with 98.5’s Scott Zolak, Coach Mayo said Antonio Gibson would start in place of lead-back Rhamondre Stevenson on Saturday. Last week, Stevenson fumbled for a league-high seventh time, and now has as many fumbles this season as 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 rush attempt by Stevenson.

“That 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 great explanation as to why Coach Mayo changed course by starting Stevenson on Saturday.

7. Highlighting the Wide Receiver Rotation for the Patriots Offense

With the Chargers talented rookie making 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 Last Pitch for Pro Bowl

Although there weren’t many silvering linings, one was the play of special teams ace Brenden Schooler. Schooler kept adding to his Pro Bowl-caliber resume with a tackle on the opening kickoff, another forced fair catch, and a drawn penalty that wiped out a big return.