The Patriots have long been touted as a team that knows its assignments, does its job, and forces others to make mistakes without beating themselves in the process.
So far, the 2021 Patriots haven’t lived up to that billing.
Though Bill Belichick’s squad wasn’t necessarily expected to be 5-0 to start the season, the 2-3 start feels somewhat more disappointing than last year’s because of how it’s happened.
The Patriots’ Week 1 loss was sealed by a red-zone fumble from running back Damien Harris. In Week 3, the Patriots looked unprepared and sloppy. Turnovers played a role in the team’s big Week 4 loss to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.