FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The Patriots expected to have rust coming off a long layoff and with a minimal amount of practice time after becoming the latest NFL team to deal with a coronavirus outbreak.
They didn't count on the myriad of mistakes they had in Sunday's 18-12 loss to Denver that has now left them with a losing record through five games for the first time since 2001.
New England had a 13-day layoff between games after seven players went on the reserve/COVID-19 list, including quarterback Cam Newton and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore.