FOXBORO, Mass. — A troubling trend of the New England Patriots stood out to DeForest Buckner.
“They shuffle around a lot,” Buckner told NESN.com on Sunday when asked what he saw from New England’s offensive line. “I just felt like there was not a whole lot of continuity inside.”
I just felt like there was not a whole lot of continuity inside.
Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner
The Patriots started their ninth different offensive line of the season against Buckner and the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.
Fourth-round rookie Layden Robinson was re-inserted into the starting lineup and replaced Michael Jordan at left guard. It was Robinson’s first start since he was benched after getting torched against the Tennessee Titans’ Jeffery Simmons in Week 9.
New England started 11 different offensive linemen in 13 games, per NESN’s Keagan Stiefel. The Patriots also have rostered 16 offensive linemen in that span. Both are league highs.
With that, it’s easy to understand why Buckner entered Indy’s eventual 25-24 victory with confidence.
“It’s hard, especially with the O-line, you need that continuity, that chemistry together to really thrive as an O-line,” Buckner said. “They just kept shuffling around guys too much.
“It’s definitely an advantage communication-wise, the protections and stuff like that. Some guys don’t have a whole lot of experience. They did a pretty good job with trying to help protect certain guys, sliding protections towards them to give them a little extra help and little things like that.”
Buckner, a three-time Pro Bowler, had his typical day at the office. He finished with seven tackles, one sack and pressured quarterback Drake Maye three times, per Pro Football Focus. The 2016 first-round pick was responsible for Indianapolis’ highest pass-rushing grade, per PFF.
PFF ranks Buckner as the seventh-highest-graded interior defensive tackle (sixth-best pass-rush grade).
New England’s offensive line fared better in the run game, but five holding penalties and four sacks indicated there again were shortcomings in pass protection. It was an improvement, but far from perfect.
Robinson allowed a team-high four pressures while Onwenu allowed two. Buckner went against both on the interior, beating Onwenu for his third-down sack.
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo credited Robinson for his ability to move defenders in the run game. Robinson likely will continue to see snaps at left guard instead of Jordan. But the impending return of Cole Strange also could mean the Patriots make another lineup tweak in the near future.
Opposing defenses, like Buckner’s Colts, surely will keep their eye out.
