1. The Patriots have played six games this season and are 2-4. They could have a better record if a few plays here or there went their way, but the reality is they are 2-4 and need to turn things around rather quickly if they would like to remain in the playoff picture. When it comes to individual players, it’s really hard to identify many who have exceeded expectations, which is a major reason why their record is what it is. With that being said, rookie Mac Jones certainly has, as an argument could be made that he’s been the best player on offense through six games. Jones is completing 71.1% of his passes and has emerged as one of the true leaders on the team. His toughness has also stood out since he’s taken a number of big hits, but has bounced right up every time. The thought was Jones would complement some of the other pieces on offense, but he’s been the one leading the way. Defensively, it was expected Matthew Judon would be good, but not this good. The edge rusher has 6.5 sacks through six games, which is a ridiculous pace. Even when he isn’t making plays on the stat sheet, he’s getting into the backfield and being disruptive. As for other players exceeding expectations, there’s really not many others. Nick Folk is deserving of being included but other than that the list ends at three. This certainly needs to change over the next few weeks if the Patriots have any hope of turning their record around and being in the playoff mix.
2. Bill Belichick had some outstanding praise for Damien Harris on Friday. “He has a ton of respect from every player and coach in this organization, as he should because he’s earned that,” he said. “That’s not something you get from talking or some kind of false image. You get it from day after day, consistent performance and dedication, and he’s the poster boy for that. He works extremely hard and takes his job very seriously and always tries to perform at the absolute highest level and do what’s best for the team. He’s earned everybody’s respect for that. That’s not something that’s given. He’s put in the blood, the sweat, and earned it.” Given Harris’ fumbling issues thus far this season, Belichick could have gone away from him, but he hasn’t and this is a big reason why.
3. One theme from some of the Patriots players who have spoken on the 2-4 start to the year is it’s still early in the season, which isn’t exactly correct. The Patriots are approaching the midway point of the season and it’s getting too late to keep saying there’s time to turn things around. The time is now. New England likely needs to win three of its next four games — vs. Jets, at Chargers, at Panthers, vs. Browns — to remain in the mix for the postseason.
4. It was interesting the Patriots had Michael Onwenu play right tackle last week and he seems likely to play it again this week against the Jets. The team did not make this move a few weeks ago when Trent Brown was out, but now that he’s on injured reserve and may be out longer than originally thought, did this change its thinking? The timing is interesting and it’s hard not to wonder if it’s related to Brown’s timetable. To this point in the year, the Patriots have used 10 starters up front, the most in the NFL.
5. It will be interesting to see how the Patriots approach the trade deadline Nov. 2. Last year they didn’t trade any players away as that would have been an indication they didn’t expect to make the playoffs. Will that change this year? It does feel like a team in need of a veteran defensive lineman should place a call to New England. Based on what’s been reported, it’s not expected to be an active deadline league-wide with a lot of teams not having a ton of cap space to work with.
6. One roster move that could be questioned last week was signing linebacker Jahlani Tavai off the practice squad to the 53-man roster ahead of the Dallas game when the secondary was clearly banged up. The unit surely could have used someone like Myles Bryant at the end of the game when the secondary allowed 24 yards on third-and-25 and were gassed after being on the field for 90-plus plays. Linebacker was a deep position and didn’t really need much help.
7. This coming week the Patriots will play the Chargers in Los Angeles and there likely will be a lot of comparisons between Jones and Justin Herbert. Herbert has been outstanding this season and while we’re not saying Jones will end up like him, it just will be natural to compare the two given where they were drafted and their success early on in their careers.