The New England Patriots showed in Week 2 why they are sticking with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback over first-round draft pick Drake Maye.
Not because Brissett is moving the offense with his arm, or even his legs.
But because it’s not yet safe for Maye to line up behind the Patriots’ offensive line.
Brissett was sacked three times and hit a handful of others in the 23-20 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. One left the caretaker quarterback favoring his shoulder, another twisted his knee.
And the Patriots have invested too much in Maye — the No. 3 overall pick in the draft — to put the former North Carolina star at risk.
“You never want your quarterback to get hit,” coach Jerod Mayo said. “We have to do a better job with our pass (protection) up front, and we have to keep him clean. Because even when he’s not getting hit, or any quarterback, if they’re back there and they feel people around him, it always is going to affect you a little bit.”
Although the Patriots came into the season with low expectations — they were the biggest underdog in the league in Week 1 — Brissett managed the offense well enough to come away with an upset of the Cincinnati Bengals. Mayo crowed that his offensive line had been unfairly maligned.
But the problems the blockers showed in the preseason — Brissett hurt his right shoulder in the finale against Washington — reappeared against the Seahawks.
One key turning point came after Antonio Gibson broke free for a 45-yard run to the Seattle 25 with about seven minutes left and New England holding a 20-17 lead. After two runs that took almost two minutes off the clock, Brissett was sacked for a 9-yard loss, dropping the Patriots from the 21 to the 30.
The 48-yard field goal attempt was blocked, setting the Seahawks up on a short field for the tying field goal that sent the game into overtime.
What’s working
The defense — especially the run defense — has been solid. The Seahawks managed just 46 yards on 19 carries.
What needs help
The passing game has been slow to develop over the first two games, with Brissett totaling 30 completions for 270 yards and one touchdown so far this season. He has thrown only one pass downfield, according to Sportradar — the fewest attempts of 20 or more yards in the league. Only the Commanders (0-2), the Panthers (0-6) and the Bears (0-10) also have failed to complete a deep pass.
Stock up
Tight end Hunter Henry caught eight passes, matching a career high, for a personal-best 109 yards.
Stock down
After managing the season opener well enough to beat the Cincinnati Bengals, Brissett completed just 15 of 27 passes for 149 yards.
Injuries
Linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley, a defensive captain, left the game in the first quarter with a shoulder injury; the NFL Network reported that he has a torn pectoral muscle and will miss the rest of the season. Center David Andrews missed practice on Monday with a hip injury.
Key numbers
19 – Brissett completed three passes for 19 yards to wide receivers in the game. It’s the eighth time since the merger that Patriots wide receivers have picked up fewer than 20 passing yards in a game. Brissett has two of them, also connecting with wide receivers for just 16 yards in a 16-0 loss to Buffalo on Oct. 2, 2016, the final game of Tom Brady’s Deflategate suspension.
Next steps
The Patriots travel to the Meadowlands to play the Jets on Thursday night.
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