Four games into the season, the New England Patriots look unlike the team that was considered one of the Super Bowl favourites and more like one that needs to go back to the drawing board.
New England had been able to overcome their persistent problems over the last two weeks, but those issues came to a head in an embarrassing 41-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night, leaving them 2-2 for the season.
While the defence couldn’t stop the Kansas City attack, allowing 443 total yards and 207 on the ground, the unit ranked first in the league in defensive DVOA – a measure of a team’s efficiency by comparing success on every single play to a league average based on situation and opponent – heading into Week 4.
The Chiefs also utilise their strong running back tandem of Jamaal Charles and Knile Davis creatively in their scheme, making them a handful for any opponent. Rather, it’s the Patriots’ offence that has been most concerning.
Quarterback Tom Brady completed just 14-of-23 passes for 159 yards while getting intercepted twice and strip-sacked twice, one of which resulted in a lost fumble.
“We need to make sure we never have this feeling again,” Brady said. “We’ve got to figure out what we have to do better.”
Future Hall of Famer Brady has received little time in the pocket from his offensive line, with rookies Bryan Stork and Cameron Fleming starting at centre and right guard.
Even when Brady has had protection, however, he’s been off the mark on his throws. His 25.5 off-target percentage is the second-highest among quarterback to start each game this season, and his 32 per cent completion rate on passes more than 10 yards is the worst.
New England need to make corrections soon because the schedule only gets more difficult, but while the bye weeks have started around the league, the Patriots don’t have theirs until Week 10.
They’ve typically responded well after losses under coach Bill Belichick – the last time they lost back-to-back regular season games was in Week 3 of 2012 – but they’re on a short week hosting the undefeated Cincinnati Bengals at Foxboro.
