Point the Finger at the Coach
Josh McDaniels has spent seven months staring at the 29-13 beatdown his offense took from the Seattle Seahawks. The New England Patriots offensive coordinator did not hide behind excuses or blame the players. He told the media he failed to call the right plays. He admitted the Seahawks out-played his team in every way. This is a rare moment of total accountability from a play-caller. Most coaches blame a bad snap or a missed block. McDaniels is owning the loss. He says the blame starts with him. That is the right thing to do for a team that needs to move forward.
The numbers from that game tell a brutal story. Quarterback Drake Maye was sacked six times. His passing stats included 295 yards and two touchdowns, yet he also threw two interceptions and fumbled once. The offensive line struggled mightily. In the defeat, rookie left tackle Will Campbell allowed eight pressures and one sack. When the protection breaks down this badly, the play-caller must ask why the scheme failed. McDaniels knows the answer lies in his own decisions.
Can the Line Actually Fix It?
McDaniels is not just taking blame; he is also defending his young players. He believes Will Campbell has had a good offseason. The coach said the rookie left tackle has a “really good mindset. Locked in.” The team is betting on youth to fix the line. Will Campbell at left tackle and Jared Wilson at left guard were the two rookie offensive linemen the Patriots started with last season. Both remain in the starting lineup this season. Wilson moved to his more natural position at center. Between Campbell and Wilson, Alijah Vera-Tucker, the former New York Jets first-round pick, lines up at left guard. The right side of the line returns from last year with guard Mike Onwenu and tackle Morgan Moses. This mix of new faces and veterans gives hope for a better showing.
The Seahawks are still a tough team to crack. McDaniels noted they are physical, aggressive, and the scheme is challenging. During the regular season, Seattle recorded the fifth-lowest blitz rate across the league. They only blitzed 20.7% of the time. Against the Patriots, they dropped to a 15.1% blitz rate. They did not need to blitz to win. They created pressure with their rush concepts. McDaniels admitted they created opportunities for themselves with their pressure packages. The coach knows he must change the approach. He wants to avoid being predictable this time around. The Patriots have new players and a new year. They have to prove they can handle the heat.
A New Game on the Horizon
McDaniels insists this year will look different. He sees a fresh start with different players on both sides. The Seahawks have new guys too. They will be working with them to find a new rhythm. The coach is ready to work. He has spent months studying the film. He knows the Seahawks are physical and aggressive. He knows his team cannot make the same mistakes. The blame game is over. Now it is time to build a better offense.
