After New England’s Week 2 win over Pittsburgh, coach Mike Vrabel said some Patriots play calls are bad, but players can also fail on good ones; he argued playcalling alone does not explain the offense’s struggles.
New England has averaged 15 points per game and committed six turnovers through its first two games. Drake Maye has completed 67.3% of his passes for 386 yards, with one touchdown and four interceptions. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has faced criticism for predictable playcalling, particularly when establishing the run.
ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky said Maye looked “scared to make mistakes” and argued that unaggressive playcalling could affect his approach. He also questioned Maye’s footwork and confidence and pointed to missed opportunities with open receivers. The Patriots next face Jacksonville in Week 3.
