Through two weeks, the Patriots have given everyone a little bit of everything: a rough finish in Week 1, a convincing defensive showing in Week 2, and an offense that still hasn’t matched the hype attached to Drake Maye.
That’s the kind of start that invites instant conclusions. New England’s defense has looked the part so far, but the bigger temptation is to decide that the unit is already elite and that the offense is officially a problem. Both reactions are a little too quick.
The defense has been stingy through two games, holding opponents to no more than 13 points in either contest and allowing only one touchdown - a fourth-down catch-and-run by Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Beyond that, the Patriots have been strong against the run, active in coverage, and disruptive enough up front to make life uncomfortable for quarterbacks.
There have also been some encouraging signs in the pass rush. Elijah Ponder, Dre’Mont Jones and Gabe Jacas have all had their moments.
Still, the level of competition matters. Seattle lost Sam Darnold after one drive, and Pittsburgh doesn’t exactly present an offense that scares people right now.
None of that wipes away what New England has done, but it does make the early defensive dominance a little easier to squint at. The Patriots can absolutely be a top-10 defense this season.
It’s just smart to wait until they see a healthier, more dangerous opponent - with the Buffalo Bills in Week 4 standing out as the obvious test.
Maye’s start has been much harder to spin positively. On the surface, it has been rough: four interceptions, which is the most in the league, including three on consecutive drives in Week 1. He also hasn’t looked especially comfortable in the pocket, and his pick against Patrick Queen in Pittsburgh was a bad one.
But that’s not the whole picture. Maye has used his legs to extend plays, and he has also shown some touch on a few throws beyond the sticks.
It hasn’t been a clean beginning, but it hasn’t been a total collapse either. Given that he’s coming off an MVP-like season and is only 24 years old, there isn’t reason to panic yet.
The more realistic view is that he’ll get better, and the defense may give him some breathing room while he sorts things out. Even so, the Patriots are going to need more from him sooner rather than later. He has done enough to keep them in both games, even without his top wideout.
That brings everything back to A.J. Brown, the team’s marquee offseason addition.
Before Brown went down with an ankle injury in the opener, he and Maye had already connected on three passes and looked like they were building something. Then Brown went to the locker room and was placed on IR.
Without him, the Patriots leaned more on Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins and DeMario Douglas. That trio produced against the Steelers, combining for six catches and 123 receiving yards. Doubs had the biggest day of the bunch, highlighted by two chunk plays and a career-long 63-yard reception.
Even so, New England is not at full strength without Brown on the field. The Steelers were missing Joey Porter Jr. in the secondary, and the Patriots took advantage, but one solid showing from the replacements doesn’t change the larger picture. Brown makes this offense better overall, and his absence still matters.
So yes, the Patriots looked better in Week 2. But that doesn’t mean the offense is fixed, or that the defense has already been tested to its limits. After two games, there’s plenty to like - and plenty that still needs a bigger sample.
In Other News...
Gillette Stadium Just Added More Chaos To An Already Messy Tour
Ed Sheerans planned Friday and Saturday night shows at Gillette Stadium were wiped out before a note ever hit the stage, with a severe noreaster forcing the cancellation of both concerts. Stadium and tour management made the call in consultation with public safety officials, citing the high winds and rain that were forecast to move through the area and make conditions unsafe for fans and staff.
For a venue that has already been dealing with its share of live-event headaches, it was another unwelcome hit, and a reminder that even a major tour can get upended fast by New England weather. Ticket refunds were issued automatically or made available through the original purchase points, but the bigger issue was simply getting out ahead of a storm that left little room for optimism about either night going on as planned. [Read more 🡒]
Julian Edelman Just Put A Beloved Patriots Moment In Perspective
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For New England, the footage lands with even more meaning in hindsight because that win sent the Patriots to Super Bowl LIII, the final championship of the Brady-Belichick era. Edelmans reflection adds a little perspective to a moment fans already remember well, and it underscores why even a brief, unscripted clip can carry so much weight years later. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Linked To A Risky Buy-Low Swing At Star Receiver
Marvin Harrison Jr.s stock has taken a noticeable turn since his promising rookie season, and the buzz around the Cardinals has started to shift with it. Arizonas financial obligations and Harrisons on-field production have fueled speculation that the receiver could become a trade candidate, even as he remains one of the more recognizable young names at his position.
For the Patriots, the appeal is obvious: a buy-low swing on a player with top-end talent who could still benefit from a change of scenery and a more structured environment. The fit gets even more intriguing because Mike Vrabel, an Ohio State alumnus, could be viewed as the kind of coach who might help bring out the best in Harrison, though questions about his toughness are part of what makes this such a risky proposition. [Read more 🡒]