Wrapping Up an Impressive Win Against the Carolina Panthers

I heard many people say and argue that because Carolina were quite possibly the worst team in the league, and if they were not the worst, certainly one of the worst, that the Pats shouldn't be so high on beating them. The reason that is, frankly, bollocks, is because New England are a team in rebuild, and we have a relatively young team and a squad of players that a lot of them hadn't played with each other before. Not to mention, the players that are surviving from last season, were on a team that won 4 games, and one of those games was against a Buffalo team in week 17 that downed tools owing to their secured second seed in the postseason.

It's not just the fact we are rebuilding and are coming off a horrific season last year, we are also seeing really promising moments and potential that this team could return to being one of the league's elite in the coming years. If fans of a professional football team aren't allowed get excited and vocal about those facts, what's the point following teams? It's almost as if there is a feeling among some opposition fans that you can't be happy about your team unless you are winning the Super Bowl. But that is preposterous to the point where only one set of fans will be happy every year, fans aren't coaches and players, they can be thrilled about seeing positivity and progress.

For me, it's the manner in which the players performed on Sunday. Very few mistakes, fewer penalties, no turnovers, and scoring for fun. Performance is what I regard as the most important aspect of a team, if you play well, the likelihood you lose is less and less likely. Even last week against Pitt, the performance was good, turnovers lost them the game, take away the two goal line turnovers, and they probably win. The Vegas game is more frustrating because I feel if we play them now, we win comfortably, they played us at a good time when the team was trying to figure out what we were. 

Drake Maye is making the year two leap and OC Josh McDaniels deserves great credit

This is what I was most worried about coming into the season. Can Maye make the year two leap and improve into a NFL-looking QB? The answer is, so far yes. We have seen it time and time again with rookie QBs, the defenses in the league get a year's film on them and they struggle in year two. Drake Maye is performing. He has had some shaky moments and there are still a few mistakes and turnovers that he would like back but the signs are overwhelmingly positive.

People, including myself at times, felt McDaniels offenses can be stale and rely on Tom Brady too much down through the years. That doesn't appear to be anywhere close to the truth at all. McDaniels is delivering an offense that gets the ball down the field efficiently, has multiple weapons, and poses a run threat and a pass threat. The turnovers and penalties are still a problem, but outside of the Steelers game, they have done a good job of not turning it over often. The penalties are still a problem, however, we have an offensive line that is pretty much all new guys and young guys too.

Offensive live is continuing to improve

The OL was the most talked about unit on the team prior to the season, with multiple commentators saying the staff didn't do enough to protect Drake. I still think that criticism is fair. However, the line has gotten better as the weeks have progressed and it now looks like a decent unit that can give Drake the time he needs to make his reads and get the ball out. It is certainly not as bad as many predicted prior to week 1. Both Will Campbell and Morgan Moses are performing well in blocking efficiency according to PFF. The unit is ranked 9th in pressure rate allowed, much higher than I would have predicted but the stats are facts at the end of the day. They rank 12th in time allowed to throw. Both stats got from Sharp Football Analysis. We definitely can improve in the area of penalties, Campbell and Moses penalised both 3 times each so far this year. The unit has a total of 9 penalties so far this season.

Special Teams is a vital unit for this football team

Marcus Jones 87-yard punt return was the play of the game. That's a punt return and a kick off return for TDs already this season, and we are only 4 games in. The kicking unit has cleaned up its act from earlier mishaps with FGs and XP, but now it looks like Borregales has banished those demons and is now hitting the ball well and consistent. Baringer still can improve but we are still above average in punts yards and Maye is extending drives longer which means we are punting less often.

Stefon Diggs has arrived in New England

Diggs recorded his first 100-yard Patriots game. The player we were expecting to receive has arrived, after a slow strart, although admittedly, not entirely Diggs' fault, the coaching staff was bedding him in slowly but surely. More of the same from him and our receiving corps is nowhere near as bad as many believed.

Rhamondre Stevenson settles after poor performance

I thought we would see more Henderson due to Mondre's fumbling a week ago, but the coaching staff stuck with the guy they are giving the majority of snaps to. He didn't play lights out but he didn't put the ball on the ground. That's a start. The coaching staff are seeing these guys daily and if they feel he is a better option than Henderson, who am I to question it. I've no issue with giving Henderson more time if the staff are seeing him struggle in practices, no point in throwing him to the wolves just yet.#

Gonzo long awaited return was an expected up and down

Christian Gonzalez's first regular season game of the season went about as expected with some good and some bad. He looked a little off the pace at times, letting up two catches for 31 yards total. He did look good in moments, however. He was pulled for the fourth when the game's conclusion was forgone. Bubble wrap this guy because the secondary needs him badly.