Belichick: Colts, Jets recognized our offensive play calls

The New England Patriots' offensive play calls may have become too predictable.

Several members of New England's offense said that Indianapolis Colts linebacker Shaquille Leonard was calling out plays before the snap in Sunday's 26-3 win.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick agreed Tuesday when asked whether his team appeared to be tipping plays.

"I thought that there were two or three plays for sure that Leonard really got a big jump on and stopped us," Belichick said, according to Andrew Callahan of The Boston Herald.

Belichick noted that New York Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley also anticipated some plays the previous week.

"(Mosley) got a couple of those plays a couple of weeks ago in the Jets game. ... It almost looked like he heard the play in the huddle," he said. "He was on it so fast, and Leonard had a couple like that too.

"So whether that was something we were giving away or just something that he anticipated based on whatever the keys were that he might've picked up, we certainly want to try to prevent that."

Belichick added, "That's what good defensive players do. They anticipate things."

Mosley piled up 13 tackles, including one tackle for loss, when the teams met in Week 8, with the Pats averaging 3.7 yards per carry against the Jets. In Week 9, the Colts held New England's offense to 203 total yards. Indianapolis was able to limit the Patriots' rushing attack to 70 yards, with Leonard recording five tackles.

However, the Patriots' defense racked up nine sacks, eight tackles for loss, and a pick-6 against the Colts to secure New England's fifth win of the season.

Belichick also pointed out that in some situations, his team has been able to take advantage of players who assume they know the play before the snap.

The Patriots' offense has struggled through the first nine weeks of the season, averaging 319.9 yards per game (26th in the NFL) and 22.6 points per game. Quarterback Mac Jones has been unable to find time in the pocket, with the Patriots surrendering 22 sacks.

Jones is optimistic that the Patriots can become more consistent following their bye week. "We're playing good at spots, but we need to continue to go up here and stop riding the wave," he said Sunday, per ESPN's Mike Reiss.