Josh McDaniels said the Patriots were "out-everythinged" in their Super Bowl loss to Seattle, taking responsibility for the protection plan that left young quarterback Drake Maye under heavy pressure.
One opening drive sequence captured the problem: a chip block freed Derick Hall for a sack, Maye then fled a clean pocket and missed open targets, and Devon Witherspoon later came free on a blitz the line failed to sort out.
Seattle players had said after the game they spotted tells in New England's guard and tackle sets, though Patriots assistants have not publicly conceded that and instead said they work to keep protections looking consistent.
McDaniels said the loss produced lessons but called the coming matchup a new game, with roster changes on both sides and an offseason effort to close the openings Seattle exploited.