FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots made a statement in their 16-9 win over the Oakland Raiders: that they need a ton of work before facing any real competition.
The Patriots are lucky that the Raiders are terrible, because they probably would have lost Sunday to any other team in the NFL. Tight end Rob Gronkowski saw it a different way, however.
“A win is a win,” Gronkowski said in the Patriots’ locker room after the game. “Every team is good in the NFL, so whenever you come out with a win, especially in the first game at home, it’s a win.”
The Patriots also are lucky that they were allowed to bottom out in a win. The Patriots have serious questions to answer before they travel to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs next Monday night.
Quarterback Tom Brady’s offensive line can’t block, some of his receivers can’t get open, the offense can’t finish in the red zone, and they still haven’t figured out their “best” offensive alignment.
“Everyone has got to improve,” wide receiver Julian Edelman said. “I’ve got to improve — blocking, dropped a ball. I’ve got to block better in the run game. We’ve got to run better routes. We’ve just got to get better.”
Edelman, who caught 10 passes for 84 yards and carried the team on his undersized shoulders, is being tough on himself. He’s been the Patriots’ best offensive player by a wide margin through three games, proving that 2013 was no fluke.
It might actually be time to question the Patriots’ potential on offense. We keep waiting for something to click, but maybe this is just what to expect out of a team with a struggling offensive line and no solid fourth target in the passing game beyond Edelman, Gronkowski and running back Shane Vereen.
If the Patriots had full confidence in wide receivers Aaron Dobson, Kenbrell Thompkins, Danny Amendola or Brandon LaFell, or in tight ends Michael Hoomanawanui and Tim Wright, those players would be on the field for more than a handful of snaps each.
Brady alone gives the Patriots potential, but without a top-tier offensive line and consistent targets, the Patriots QB might be in for a long season.
The Patriots’ defense didn’t play up to its potential, either, but they still allowed just nine points, as head coach Bill Belichick was quick to point out after the game.
“That’s really what it’s about,” Belichick said about the final score. “I think that’s the most important stat. The rest of those stats, really, you can do whatever you want with them, they don’t really mean much. Points is what this game is about — on both sides of the ball.”
There was something off about the unit, however, though it allowed just 241 total yards and 174 through the air. The Patriots’ pass defense still will rank top five in the NFL, but they generated little pressure and forced just one turnover — a last-minute interception by defensive tackle Vince Wilfork.
The Patriots might be able to get by this season with a great defense and so-so offense and still win their division, but they can’t keep playing like they did against the Raiders. A 16-9 win over Oakland easily could be a 60-9 loss against the Denver Broncos later in the season.
