Through three games, the Patriots sit at 1-2. They could easily be 2-1, 3-0, or even 0-3.
Yes, I’m aware those are mathematically the only outcomes, but still . . .
For what it’s worth, I like what I’m seeing from this Mike Vrabel-led Patriots team.
Last year, New England wasn’t competitive – at all. I’ve said many times that it wasn’t just the record that made it rough. Once an opponent scored two touchdowns, it felt almost impossible for the Patriots to come back.
This year, aside from the second half of Week 1, they’ve looked competitive each and every second.
I feel confident going into games. Even though I don’t expect them to win every week, I expect a good game — and I’ll take that compared to last year.
OK. Hear me out. I think Drake Maye has taken the sophomore step you want to see from a first-round draft pick. He looks more assured in the pocket and when he decides to run, he’s sliding instead of taking hits.
Those are little, but big things.
So far, this season, Maye ranks fifth in passing yards (785), seventh in passing touchdowns (5) and eighth in passing attempts (106).
Kayshon Boutte, who was considered a first-round talent before a poor season at LSU, is emerging as Maye’s favorite outside target. His ability to compete in the air and extend for catches is any quarterback’s dream.
Stefon Diggs is still working his way into the rotation, but I expect to see him more each week.
DeMario Douglas, on the other hand, is struggling — especially after Sunday, when he went backward instead of falling forward for a first down on fourth down to (essentially) end the game.
I was critical of the offense after Week 1, when the Patriots refused to run the ball in the second half and made it obvious to the Las Vegas Raiders they would throw every down. But since then, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has done a good job mixing up gameplans and making the offense less predictable.
The biggest issues for this team, so far, are penalties and turnovers. As much as I like Maye’s development, his atrocious fumble cost the Patriots Sunday’s game.
And after Rhamondre Stevenson’s strong Week 2, he followed up with two costly fumbles.
Earlier this year, Vrabel said he wants his team to capitalize on opponents playing bad football. Right now, other teams are capitalizing on New England’s mistakes.
What else?
I can excuse some false starts, especially from rookies — for now. But late-game penalties that stall drives or extend opponents’ drives can’t happen if the Patriots want to finish with a winning record.
There’s still a lot of football to play, but I like what I’m seeing. If they lose this week to the Panthers, though, some serious questions may need to be asked . . .
