I think they are going to come out and play a good (or significantly improved) game on both sides of the ball, although that may not be when we're expecting it--LOL. Either way, they'll need to get things going because we play what I see as one hell of a challenging schedule, although I've seen it that way for awhile and some will disagree.
I never expected anything better than 11-5 or 12-4 at best, no matter what--just due to the schedule.
I predicted 12-4. The Pats play a tough, respectable schedule.
But most of the toughest teams are @ Foxboro, thankfully. Good teams on the road are KC, Green Bay and San Diego.
I hope the worst is behind us; and I hope and think the O-line changes will eventually show very good benefits. Keeping things in perspective, the Pats have scored the most, and given up the fewest points, in the AFCE. At 2-1 sit tied for first, atop the AFCE.
I still recall the Pats of the '60s and '70s playing in the Miami Heat, and their Summer 2nd half wilts. Those Pats teams were never very deep with talent. Due to dings and injuries, the current Pats team had no one to replace and rotate the starters, in the second half and simply wore out, just like the Pats of old.
Do you realize that 23 of the 49 points surrendered to date, happened in that Miami second half as did 3 of the 7 sacks yielded through 3 games. The Pats Offense was shut out in that Miami second half too,after accumulating a 20-10 halftime lead..
As an exercise excluding the Miami second half:
The Pats defense is averaging 16.3 (good) points per game, but only 10.4 (spectacular) points per game for 2.5 games.
The Pats offense is averaging 22.0 (fair to good) points per game, but 26.4 (good) points per game for 2.5 games.
That Miami second half was an outlier, as Deus has counseled.
