Through the first three weeks of the season, the New England Patriots are not where they hoped they would be. Despite having an easy schedule and two home games, the Patriots are 1-2, with inconsistent play on both ends of the field. Yet, wide receiver Stefon Diggs doesn't seem too bothered by this start. If anything, he seems to be seeing more positives than negatives, and that is a problem.
Diggs said that the Patriots' start "gives [them] a lot to look forward to," and that they could "easily be sitting at 3-0." Considering the fact that both Patriots' losses were by a single touchdown, this take may seem rational on its surface. In reality, however, New England is nowhere near the level of an undefeated team, and could have been 0-3 as easily as 3-0.
The Patriots played the Raiders, the Dolphins, and the Steelers in the first three weeks of the season. That is as favorable a schedule as there is in the NFL. Even if the Pats were 3-0 playing the exact same way they have so far, there would not have been too much to be optimistic about.
Stefon Diggs' Assessment of Patriots' Start Is Wrong
The statistics and metrics paint a picture contrary to what Diggs is suggesting. Per Pro Football Focus, the Patriots are a bottom-ten unit on both offense and defense, giving them a 60.4 grade that makes them the third-worst team in the league, only above the winless Saints and Dolphins. The turnovers have been a massive problem, the running game is non-existent, and the pass defense has been a disaster.
The return of Christian Gonzalez can help in coverage, getting TreVeyon Henderson more involved will improve other areas, and more continuity will produce a better overall team. However, the Patriots can't delude themselves into thinking that they are a better team than their record suggests.
Diggs himself has also been a part of the problem. After signing a massive three-year, $63.5 million contract with the Patriots in the offseason, Diggs became the center of attention because of his off-field antics. So far, he hasn't been able to produce enough to justify his salary or the unnecessary drama his off-field shenanigans bring. Through three games, the 31-year-old receiver has 13 catches for 112 yards and zero scores. He has been overshadowed by Kayshon Boutte's hot start to the season.
Fortunately for the Patriots, their schedule fortunes continue for another week as they host the Panthers on Sunday. If they don't improve to 2-2 against Carolina, then things could get really ugly when they go on a three-game road trip starting in Week 5.