Duds and duds from New England’s Week 7 loss

This was another tough game for rookie wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk, who once again dropped several passes. To make matters worse, he failed on a two-point conversion attempt that likely would have resulted in the Patriots making it a one-score game late in the fourth quarter. Polk struggles in a way that few would have expected from such a safe receiver drafted in the second round.

Tight end Hunter Henry was the most reliable safety playmaker for rookie quarterback Drake Maye in this game. He led the team with eight receptions for 92 yards against the Jaguars’ defense.

It should come as no surprise that Henry’s production has seen a significant uptick with Maye at the center. The 29-year-old tight end is still one of the best playmakers at his position.

The Patriots did not practice in Sunday’s loss to the Jaguars. Despite all the squad problems, the team continues to commit poor penalties and their tackling form is poor. The direction of the game was also questionable, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.

Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt looked good with his plays at the beginning, but everything fell apart after the first few shots on goal. The most concerning thing is that the Patriots never adjusted to what Jacksonville did.

Jerod Mayo is again being blamed for the team continuing to look sloppy on a weekly basis.

The Patriots completely blew it on special teams by allowing a 96-yard touchdown on a punt return by Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington. It was an ugly performance from the unit, with players taking poor angles and failing to stop the play, ultimately leading to the game being abandoned. Without this massive mistake, the Patriots would have had a real chance to win.

Jahlani Tavai was one of the players responsible for taking a poor angle on the punt return that ultimately led to the touchdown for the Jaguars. He was also flagged for a neutral zone violation that triggered the two-point conversion for Trevor Lawrence and Co. It was a tough day at the office for the veteran linebacker.

Drake Maye had another strong performance under center for the Patriots. The help they received wasn’t always there, and even though the offensive line was better, they still struggled in crucial moments of the game.

Maye was still trying to push the ball down with her arms and legs. He threw for 276 yards and two touchdowns while also leading the Patriots on the ground with three carries for 18 yards. It was an all-around performance for the rookie, making his second NFL start.