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NFL: Poor Patriots, 5 takeaways from Week 4

By Bryan Gibberman

Sep 29, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and wide receiver Matthew Slater (18) watch the game on the sidelines during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and wide receiver Matthew Slater (18) watch the game on the sidelines during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick wipes his face against the New York Giants during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick wipes his face against the New York Giants during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Is the New England Patriots empire finally crumbling down?

The Patriots have won at least 10 games every season from 2003 on. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick have made the playoffs in 11 of 12 seasons Brady’s played the majority of the team’s games.

After getting shellacked by the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football, 41-14, questions are surrounding New England at a degree we’re not used to. Someone at the Belichick postgame presser even had the balls to ask him about Brady’s status as signal caller.

On the surface it doesn’t seem bad, New England is 2-2, tied with the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills for first place in a weak AFC East. Going into MNF footballoutsiders.com had the Pats ranked 1st in DVOA defense and 4th on offense.

At this point in the season the DVOA system hasn’t been adjusted yet for opponents. New England had played the 26th, 30th and 24th ranked teams.

Through four games Tom Brady has completed 81-137 passes (59%) with four touchdowns and two interceptions, plus averaging only 6.195 yards per pass. Those yards per attempt would be the lowest of his career as a starter. Some of it is Brady struggling as a 37 year old — it’s not unreasonably to rule out he’s in decline — he also has a poor supporting cast in the wide receiver core and the offensive line is porous.

Defensively, New England hasn’t proven it can stop the run. Dolphins running backs Knowshown Moreno and Lamar Miller ran for 193 yards on 35 carries (5.5 YPC), while Chiefs RBs Knile Davis and Jamaal Charles racked up 34 carries and 199 yards (5.85 YPC).

In the Minnesota game Week 2 the Pats slowed down their running game, but that was in the midst of the Adrian Peterson situation unfolding. Peterson didn’t play even though he was expected to. It wasn’t optimal conditions for the Vikings to have success.

The Raiders rushed for three yards per carry, but they’re also a horrible rushing team. For the season they’re only putting up 3.4 YPC. Oakland’s not very good.

When New England faced two reasonably decent rushing teams they got thrashed.

I fall into the same trap as everyone else. It’s the New England Patriots and I don’t know of an NFL without the Pats being good. There will come a time when this team isn’t good and there are signs it has finally arrived.

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