originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Defense was expected to be the New England Patriots' strength heading into the 2024 season, but the group hasn't held up its end of the bargain over the last two weeks.
The New York Jets totaled 400 yards in their 24-3 rout of the Patriots in Week 3, and the San Francisco 49ers racked up 431 yards in their 30-13 win on Sunday. In both games, New England's pass rushers failed to put pressure on the quarterback.
If you ask former Pats linebacker Ted Johnson, the defense was exposed during the team's Week 2 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks.