HOUSTON — A few weeks ago, we were still talking about the Patriots and a perfect season. And with a remaining schedule that was considered soft, nothing seemed too tough for them to overcome, even a few key injuries.
Two losses later, the plot has changed.
The outlook is so much different now. It’s like the Patriots’ orbit has flipped with perfection being replaced by trepidation and fear.
The injuries, most notably to Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman, and Dion Lewis on offense, and Dont’a Hightower on defense, have created doubts, so much so that now we are wondering whether the Patriots, at 10-2, will be able to navigate through the final games of the regular season without completely losing their playoff standing.