The New England Patriots are 0-2 to begin the season for the first time since 2001 and have scored just 37 total points in their two losses.
For the past two decades, most stories about the Patriots have revolved around how strong their offense is and how New England looks like one of the favorites in the AFC if not the NFL in general.
What’s gone wrong for New England so far this year? Part of it likely has to do with a tough schedule leading to them opening the year with the Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins back-to-back. And another part of it has to do with the fact that Mac Jones isn’t Tom Brady and they are simply lacking execution.
New England is 14th in the NFL in total yardage, but costly turnovers in key moments have knocked the Pats down to 22nd in points. Jones has two interceptions this year, but one against the Eagles was returned for a touchdown and the other one against the Dolphins was right outside the red zone.
Offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien said the inconsistency has cost the team, “I think there’s been glimpses of what the offense can be and we have to be more consistent. There’s no excuse in the world that really matters to anybody out there. Nobody wants to win more than we do in this building. And I think it’s just coming down to consistency, and like I said before, finishing drives.”
Despite the issues, O’Brien didn’t point fingers at any player in particular, instead saying the entire offense needed to improve. “I don’t know if you can point to one thing. It’s more about, we have to be consistent in what we’re doing. And the name of the game is points. And when you don’t score more points than the other team, it’s not good. So, we have to come away with points in those areas of the field,” O’Brien concluded.
