The New England Patriots are limping into Week 4 against the San Francisco 49ers. Not only has their roster been banged up but they’re also coming off back-to-back losses to the Seattle Seahawks and New York Jets.
Suddenly, the narrative surrounding the team has shifted from gleeful, new beginnings under first-year head coach Jerod Mayo to the same doom and gloom that befell them in Bill Belichick’s final season.
More: Jacoby Brissett gives honest assessment of Patriots' offensive line.
The good news is the defense has continued to fight despite being gutted with injuries, and rookie quarterback Drake Maye took his first regular-season snaps late in the fourth quarter against the Jets.