Patriots Dominated By 49ers, Fall 33-6

The Patriots fell flat on their face for the second time in two weeks, dropping a stinkbomb to the 49ers 33-6. The loss dropped the Pats to 2-4, a full 2.5 games behind the 5-2 Bills in the AFC East. Next up is a trip to Buffalo on Sunday at 1:00 to try to stay in the race for the division.

There isn’t much to say at this point. It feels more and more like the pre-Belichick days around here. In fact, it’s starting to seem like the pre-Parcells days — and that ain’t good.

Biggest problems in Sunday’s game:

1. Cam Newton is too loose with the ball. Three INTs, all three of them on him, IMO.
2. Terrible situational football; giving up big plays on 3rd-and-1 over and over; unacceptable.
3. They have insufficient talent at linebacker. Losing their top four LBs in the off-season might well have destroyed their 2020 season. Ja’Whaun Bentley was awful unless he rushed the passer — couldn’t cover the pass and struggled against the run.
4. Their secondary isn’t playing up to its potential, not even close. I have more faith that they’d stuff a run on 3rd-and-3 than stop a pass on 3rd-and-10.
5. The offensive game planning was poor to start the game and didn’t adjust quickly enough (waiting until the half to come up with something that worked).
6. For some reason they continue to return kickoffs when they should just kneel and take the ball at the 25 yard line. Gunner Olszewski fumbled one that could have ended the game before the second half even got started.