After spending a decade diagnosing NFL offenses, former Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson saw something for the first time in New England’s victory over the New York Jets.
“I’ve never seen this before,” Johnson told co-host Phil Perry during The Breakdown on Monday night.
Johnson and Perry highlighted TreVeyon Henderson’s third touchdown in New England’s 27-14 victory at Gillette Stadium. The six-yard passing touchdown from Drake Maye to Henderson gave the Patriots a 21-7 lead midway through the third quarter after a highlight-filled drive by the second-year QB.
Johnson explained how the creativity from Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels created confusion for the Jets.
New England broke the huddle quickly similar to trickery like Andy Reid’s Chiefs. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs was in the backfield opposite Henderson. As the Jets scrambled to a different play-call, the Patriots snapped it, resulting in half of New York’s defense playing man-to-man and the other half playing zone.
Such confusion caused a pair of Jets to follow Diggs across the field while Henderson ran a corner route to the back of the end zone. Maye found the wide-open rookie running back on a perfectly layered throw to the end line.
“I’ve never seen a corner route run from the backfield by a running back,” Johnson said. “It was a great play design. It had them all confused. Half the defense was playing man, half the defense was playing zone. And you’re able to sneak TreVeyon Henderson back there, a little sneak attack. Another really good play design in the red zone to exploit what teams are doing down there.”
Johnson added: “Back-to-back weeks where Josh McDaniels comes up with some creative stuff.”
The Patriots rank seventh in the league in points scored and own a 58 percent hit rate (23-for-40) in the red zone. Creative calls like the one McDaniels made against the Jets could go a long way as the Patriots try to elevate from 17th in red zone efficiency.
Phil Perry and Ted Johnson break down both TreVeyon Henderson’s TD reception and Justin Fields’ TD run in this week’s edition of “Board Games”.
