Offensive line still worst in the league: a look at the advanced stats
Although there were absolutely zero positives to take away from Monday night's game against the Chiefs (other than perhaps Jimmy Garoppolo's performance in the dire circumstances), the offensive line was one unit that continued it's massively disappointing campaign in similar fashion.
Opting to start rookies Josh Kline and Cameron Fleming this week proved to be an exercise in futility, as the Patriots ranked 24th out of the 26 teams that played this weekend, rounding out their ranking of 32nd in pass-blocking efficiency in the 2014 season. Surprisingly, the Patriots offensive line ranks 22nd in run-blocking, but the lack of balance in the offensive game-plan has meant that this counts for very little.
While the offensive line could not have done much to prevent the crushing at Arrowhead on Monday Night Football, their general standard of play throughout this season has been largely culpable for the teams' 2-2 record.
Regardless of whether Brady may or may not be over the hill, there would be very few quarterbacks (if any) capable of delivering efficient performances when under the constant pressure that this unit has allowed this season. Nate Solder continued his nightmare, allowing a sack from Tamba Hali. This in and of itself is feasible, after all, Hali is a quality rusher. However it is the 3rd sack that Solder alone has allowed in 4 games, and he is ranked 49th of 59 offensive tackles this season.
At the guard spots, the performances were no better. Cameron Fleming's big opportunity earned with a strong week 2 performance against the Vikings was blown, as he ranked dead last in efficiency among guards this week after allowing a sack and 3 QB hurries. His peer on the other side of the line Dan Connolly ranked only 3 spots higher (49 of 52), giving up a hit and 2 hurries. You read that right. Of 52 offensive guards that played this weekend, the Patriots highest ranked player landed at 49.
While the run-blocking did see a slight upturn this week, the overall pass-blocking efficiency rating against the Chiefs came in at 70.9. But perhaps the real indictment may be that in a game where the offense was only capable of putting up 14 points (7 of which came from the rookie backup in garbage time), this statistically wasn't even their worst performance this year - last week's rating was 69.9.
Photo by Danny Medley/USA Today Sports
Stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus
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