The New England Patriots go down to defeat for the second week in a row in this young season, losing 31-30 on a last second field goal by Baltimore. And, despite using nearly all their draft pics and trades to shore up their aging defense, it was the defense that failed again when it counted — although the offense certainly shares some of the blame.
It was the offense, after all, that had the ball in the final four minutes. Had Brady and his offense been able to score, the victory would have been sealed. But they had to punt and it was the defense with 2:01 left in the game that would decide things.
(Though not just the defense — in truth, the replacement refs were atrocious. It was literally the worst called football game I've ever seen — including college and high school ball. The many, many questionable and no calls were an embarrassment to the NFL. But this is no excuse for the Pats. After all, there were plenty of bad calls for each team.)
The Pats were ahead and could seal the game if they could just hold the Ravens scoreless for the final two minutes. They couldn't do it. The Ravens marched the length of the field and scored the winning field game.Easy passes and a pass interference call ended their chances.
Now the Patriots have to figure out how to get back to their winning ways. This is not a good start to a schedule that was initially described as the easiest in the league. If the Pats are starting an easy schedule at 1-2, what are they going to do against tough opponents?
It's time for this team to assert itself. It has the talent — the question is whether it has the will and dedication to put everything together.
