Despite starting with an 8-1 record, the New England Patriots are not without their weaknesses.
The defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots are coming off a 37-20 loss at the hands of Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens’ offense was the first big test of the season for the vaunted Patriots defense. A test that this unit has failed miserably.
However, this defense had been on a historic tear in the first 8 weeks of the season. For example, allowing just 43 points over that span, which is 5.4 points a game. No team since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 had allowed less than 6 points per game over 8 weeks. We can assume that this defense will recover from the loss and continue to dominate, and they will need to, as the schedule gets much harder.
The problems have come mostly on the offensive side of the ball. As the defense has had to bail the offense out a few times when the offense couldn’t do their part.
Here are a few players that need to step in up big time if the New England Patriots want to continue their dominance.
Sony Michel
The second-year tailback out of Georgia had a very productive first season with the New England Patriots. He would go on to have 932 yards rushing and 6 touchdowns, averaging 4.4 yards per carry in 13 games.
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Sony Michel would also be very crucial during the Pats’ Super Bowl run, with 336 yards and 6 more touchdowns, including the only touchdown scored in Super Bowl LIII. This season has been a different story.
Michel has suffered a drop in his production this season. He only has 482 yards in 9 games. He is also only averaging 3.3 yards per carry. Michel was able to make so that quarterback Tom Brady wouldn’t have to carry the offensive load. This season, the running game has been suffering, with the Pats being 23rd in the run, down from 5th in 2018.
Michel playing better would be amazing for the team going forward.
The offensive line
Another one the main problems with the New England Patriots offense is that Tom Brady doesn’t have enough time to operate.
Teams know that one of the main ways to beat the Patriots is by putting pressure on Brady, therefore opposing defenses will try their hardest to do so.
The offensive line is banged up, of course, with second-year tackle Isaiah Wynn being placed on injured reserve early in the season and center David Andrews being out the entire season due to blood clots being found in his lungs. Marshall Newhouse and Ted Karras have since taken over the left tackle and center spots respectively, but the presence of Wynn and Andrews is sorely missed.
Through 9 games, Brady has been sacked 15 times, compared to only 21 all of last season.
It may not seem like much in comparison to other teams, but Tom Brady is 42 and cannot move how he once may have been able to. He also needs more time in the pocket. The main way this offense can get on track is if the offensive line can perform better, despite injuries.
Julian Edelman
I know, this one sounds a bit ridiculous.
Julian Edelman has been Tom Brady’s guy ever since about the time former New England Patriots wideout Wes Welker made his exit from the fold. The Super Bowl LIII MVP has been Mr. Reliable. Always there when a big catch is needed, fights through injury, plays with passion, and always turns his game up when the brights lights are shining.
However, this season has not been without some flaws.
Edelman is tied for second in the NFL in dropped passes with 5. He also has fumbled twice, which is tied for his career-high. One of those which was lost and returned for a touchdown by Baltimore Ravens DB Marlon Humphrey, which can be seen as what swung the momentum back in Baltimore’s favor, as the Pats were moving the ball down the field to assumedly score and cut the deficit or even take a lead.
The point is that Edelman’s mistakes can transfer over into the playoffs (that New England will most likely make). You never want to have errors like that occur in big moments, and this is something that must be cleared up for this offense to be effective.