The Patriots showcased multiple concerning flaws in their overtime loss to the Seahawks on Sunday afternoon at Gillette Stadium.
Nonetheless, a member of New England's first Super Bowl-winning squad still has high hopes for his former team this season.
Jermaine Wiggins isn't resigned to the idea that Jerod Mayo's group is in rebuilding mode. Between the Patriots' clear strengths and the parity around the NFL through two weeks, the ex-tight end isn't ruling out a 2024 postseason berth for New England.
"I look at this, and there's a realistic chance that if the Patriots can somehow put it together with their passing offense, they could be a legitimate team that -- dare I say -- makes the playoffs," Wiggins said Monday on WEEI's "The Greg Hill Show." "If they can put their passing game together -- because you got defense, you can run the football, your coach looks like he knows what he's doing."
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That's a major "if" when it comes to the Patriots potentially turning around their passing attack. New England doesn't have a very good pass-catching corps or offensive line, and Jacoby Brissett is far better suited to be a game-manager of a run-first offense. The Patriots' apparent blueprint is turning games into rock fights, which isn't very sustainable in today's NFL.
Oddsmakers also aren't very bullish on New England playing into January this season. The Patriots as of Monday morning had nearly 5-1 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook to reach the playoffs.
Featured image via David Butler II/Imagn Images
