FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The Patriots did one thing they haven’t completed for the reason that Tom Brady period throughout Sunday’s 21-14 loss to the Steelers.
It’s one thing they hope to not duplicate anytime quickly.
New England’s 5 turnovers marked the primary time since 2008 that they’ve had that many giveaways in a game. Working again Rhamondre Stevenson fumbled twice, quarterback Drake Maye had a fumble and an interception, and operating again Antonio Gibson additionally misplaced a fumble.
Not serving to issues was that two of the turnovers got here on the Pittsburgh 2-yard line, denying New England factors in a recreation that wound up being determined by one rating.
After watching video of the sport, coach Mike Vrabel stated Monday that his strategy to fixing the ball-security points isn’t difficult.
“We’ve bought to proceed to apply the crap out of it,” he stated. “We’ve to do a greater job of defending stated particular person with the ball. Whether or not that’s the quarterback, whether or not that’s the operating again or the receiver. We’re all chargeable for the safety of the soccer.”
New England can anticipate to be examined once more this week when it hosts the Carolina Panthers (1-2), whose 5 takeaways by means of three video games are the fourth-most within the NFL.
Gibson stated the important thing this week might be to have a optimistic mindset throughout apply.
“Decide one another up,” Gibson stated. “It’s powerful. I’m fairly certain we’re going to get criticized, nevertheless it comes with the sport. … We’ve been in it for some time, and we simply hold pushing. We all know what we’re all able to. All our operating backs are succesful.”
What’s working
Though they struggled to complete drives with factors, the Patriots had little bother shifting the ball, stepping into the purple zone 4 occasions.
What wants assist
Along with the turnover problem, penalties had been an issue once more. The Patriots have been penalized 27 occasions this season, fourth most within the league.
Top off
Tight finish Hunter Henry had eight catches for 90 yards and two touchdowns, and for the second straight season is proving to probably the most reliable go catcher for Maye. Henry’s 13 catches are tied with Stefon Diggs for the workforce lead, and his 165 receiving yards lead the workforce.
Inventory down
Stevenson. Turnovers have been a recurring downside for the fifth-year operating again. Final season, he briefly misplaced his beginning job after fumbling in every of New England’s first 4 video games. He completed with seven fumbles for the season, probably the most within the NFL by a non-quarterback. Now, he might be one other benching with rookie TreVeyon Henderson ready within the wings. Henderson has been strong as a runner and receiver in restricted motion and is the one Patriots operating again who hasn’t fumbled.
Accidents
Henry was injured on a catch within the third quarter however returned. Cornerback Christian Gonzalez missed his third consecutive recreation as he continues to work again from a preseason hamstring damage.
Key quantity
5 — The variety of seasons for the reason that Patriots began 2-1.
Up subsequent
The Patriots host the Panthers on Sunday.
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