New England Patriots: Jets trounced, it’s now time to buy for a playoff run

The New England Patriots should be buyers before the trade deadline after trouncing the New York Jets 54-13 for their first home win of the season.

It was not so much the extent, but the fact that the team won, which leads to this conclusion that was raised as an issue prior to the trouncing of the rival Jets Sunday.

Why should the New England Patriots be buyers before the trade deadline? Let’s take a good look at why.

The New England Patriots should be buyers before the trade deadline

Beating the Jets after the heartbreaking (and completely unnecessary) loss to the high-flying Dallas Cowboys last Sunday has re-energized a floundering franchise.

Having spent a ton of owner Robert Kraft’s money in the offseason, a 2-4 record was not exactly what the owner, the coach, the team, or the fans were looking for. Not hardly.

Yet, absent some truly abysmal coaching decisions on the offensive line that caused several likely unnecessary defeats, the team is still alive at 3-4.

Clobbering (and running up the score against to boot) the Jets, his “favorite ex-team”, should be enervating enough for coach Bill Belichick to revive his spirits and get him ready to truly compete.

Why not? This team has a young quarterback who becomes more of a leader and again, a field general with each and every game. Mac Jones is the real deal.

What the New England Patriots need to add before the trade deadline

This is neither new nor rocket science, but here goes on what the Patriots need to add to be a contender for a Wild Card spot and a post-season game(s).

Look, the Patriots defense, even with all the offseason additions, (and subtractions, like the foolish trade of Stephon Gilmore) is really not good enough for a deep playoff run.

After acquiring wide receivers Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne in the offseason, the team is still lacking an explosive deep threat who can put up six points on a single play.

Rumors are out there that Andy Isabella, the former UMass star who is an afterthought on the Arizona Cardinals, may be on the trade block. Why not for a low-round pick.

But that’s not the deal that needs to be made. That deal is for a bonafide No. 1 wide receiver. As things stand right now, the team will be battling it out with a number of AFC rivals.

The Patriots should approach the NFL teams that are out of serious contention after the final games in Week 7 on a possible deal for a top receiver.

Many teams are still in contention and still will be by next week. It’s not going to be easy. Yet, they should still target teams that after this weekend are likely out.

Then, try to pry their best receiver out of one of them. It’s hard at this point to say which one because so many teams are still in the playoff picture.

But, if it’s a star who has additional years on his contract, just make the trade. If it’s a rental, e.g. Allen Robinson from Chicago, pay less.

New England Patriots offensive line needs bolstering

The offensive line was a much better participant in the second half against Dallas and Sunday against the Jets. Unsurprisingly, that line had Michael Onwenu at right tackle and Ted Karras at left guard. Finally.

Yet, if the injury prognosis for Trent Brown and now Shaq Mason is not positive, a move on the offensive line is critical.

This team was light from the outset at offensive tackle. It still is. It’s an injury away from having to use a sub-standard player at tackle. They need to make a move for a proven NFL tackle.

A team out of the running should be happy to oblige for a middle-round pick and it would be a true asset to the New England Patriots going forward.

So there they are, two suggestions for the New England Patriots after they beat the Jets and are still in the hunt for a Wild Card spot in the AFC.

Who do you think the Patriots should get before the trade deadline? We’d like to hear your views.