Patriots have a lot of work to do after blowout loss to Packers

Earlier this week, Kevin Byard described this week's matchup against the Green Bay Packers as a "measuring-stick game."

Unfortunately for the Patriots, they failed to measure up, suffering a lopsided 45-27 loss that left Gillette Stadium ringing with "Go Pack Go!" chants in the fourth quarter.

It was a game the Patriots were never really in, as they were outplayed and dominated in every phase.

Just four plays into the game, New England, which started with the football, was already trailing.

After an interception on the second play of the game (following a one-yard run and a declined illegal shift penalty), the Packers needed just two plays to find the end zone.

Then, after a three-and-out on a drive that ended with a nine-yard sack of Drake Maye, Green Bay found the end zone again just seven plays later. The drive was aided by a miscommunication between Christian Gonzalez and Kevin Byard that led to a 49-yard catch-and-run from Matthew Golden, a defensive pass interference penalty on Gonzalez that negated an interception, and another blown coverage on third-and-goal from the five-yard line that resulted in an easy touchdown for Golden.

In a little over seven minutes, it already felt like the game had been decided. The Packers' lead never dipped below double digits.

Of course, there was plenty of blame to go around in a game in which the Patriots allowed 45 points, the most by a New England defense since surrendering 47 in its 2022 Wild Card loss to the Bills. But it starts with the team's best players.

Defensively, Christian Gonzalez, who signed a four-year, $135 million contract extension in September to become the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history, had the worst game of his professional career. According to PFF's initial charting, Jordan Love and the Packers completed 10 of 11 targets for 187 yards and a touchdown with Gonzalez in coverage.

Packers wide receivers Christian Watson (seven receptions for 171 yards and a touchdown) and Matthew Golden (10 receptions for 164 yards and a touchdown) combined for 335 receiving yards. The Patriots, as a team, had totaled just 313 yards of offense before pulling their starters late in the fourth quarter.

Offensively, Drake Maye threw three interceptions in the first half. It marked the second time this season, along with Week 1 in Seattle, that Maye had committed three turnovers in a game. The only Patriot who caught more passes from Maye than the Packers' defense was DeMario Douglas, who finished with five receptions for 102 yards.

And that's part of the problem. Look at what the Packers' wide receivers were able to do. Then look at the players Maye is throwing to. The plan was obviously to have A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs serve as his top two receivers. But until they return, it's a lot to ask Maye to carry this team with the weapons currently available to him.

There's no ignoring the impact of the injuries, but Sunday's loss was a reality check for a Patriots team that still has a long way to go on both sides of the ball.

The Packers entered Sunday with the same 5-3 record as New England, despite sitting in last place in the highly competitive NFC North. They're by no means world-beaters, which makes the Patriots' performance even more concerning.

The numbers paint an equally troubling picture. The defense has allowed more 30-point games this season (three) than it did in all 21 games last season. It's also allowed 400-yard performances twice this season after not allowing a single one in those 21 games.

Meanwhile, the offense has turned the ball over 19 times, tied with the Chargers for the most in the NFL. New England and Los Angeles are the only teams yet to play a turnover-free game. The Patriots have already surpassed their turnover total from last year's regular season, and they're only halfway through this one.

The Patriots have a lot of work to do.