Boomer Esiason doesn’t have excessive hopes for Patriots’ playoff possibilities after 0-2 begin

Patriots

“I do not see the Patriots making it at this level.”

For the primary time since 2001, the Patriots have opened a brand new NFL season with an 0-2 file.

It’s an ominous begin for a roster seeking to show that an 8-9 marketing campaign in 2022 was only a slight setback. For the reason that 1990 season, simply 11.5% of groups who begin 0-2 have gone on to clinch a playoff spot.

After all, these odds are a bit extra favorable now within the NFL with extra playoff spots up for grabs. The Bengals completed the feat final yr after a sluggish begin, whereas an 0-2 staff punched a ticket to the postseason yearly from 2013 to 2018.

Nonetheless, don’t rely former NFL QB and present CBS analyst Boomer Esiason amongst those that imagine the 2023 Patriots are going to proper the ship after taking over water early.

Though the Patriots’ two losses to the Eagles and Dolphins have featured spurts of encouraging play and spirited fourth-quarter comebacks, the highway doesn’t get any simpler for New England because the calendar continues to flip ahead.

“All I do know is that the Patriots have misplaced two residence video games, which is simply crushing,” Esiason mentioned throughout his weekly look on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Present” on Monday morning. “It truly is crushing. They usually’ve already misplaced a recreation throughout the division. They need to win subsequent week down in New York and so they need to beat the Jets with Zach Wilson at quarterback. I do know that Invoice Belichick has given him matches final yr. I’d suspect that may be the identical once more this week.

“However then they gotta go to Dallas, then New Orleans is coming to city. New Orleans is an excellent staff. I imply, they’ve a really, very troublesome schedule. After which whenever you take a look at the again finish of their schedule, you’re wanting on the Chargers, the Steelers, the Chiefs, the Denver Broncos, Buffalo. I simply don’t see the Patriots making it at this level.”

The Patriots’ offense has been tormented by many points by the primary two weeks of the brand new season. A porous offensive line has stunted New England’s normally potent run recreation, whereas premature sacks have derailed just a few promising drives for Mac Jones and Co.

However New England’s lack of explosive firepower on offense has additionally made it troublesome for the Patriots to each sustain with proficient rosters and claw out of early deficits.

Throughout Sunday’s loss in opposition to Miami, the Patriots’ longest play on offense got here by the use of a Mac Jones scramble … for 18 whole yards. Though New England’s beginning QB related on 25 of his 26 passing makes an attempt on throws inside 10 yards, he didn’t join on any of his 5 heaves that went over 20 yards.

Granted, Jones is commonly at his greatest when executing short-yardage throws, versus throwing 40-yard bombs down the sideline.

Nonetheless, whether or not it’s restricted safety within the pocket or New England’s receivers being unable to separate in protection, this Patriots’ offense doesn’t precisely function loads of big-play capabilities.

For Esiason, the rationale behind that lack of dynamic playmaking is apparent.

“I’m telling you, it’s velocity,” Esiason mentioned. “As a substitute of getting 4.3 [40-yard dash] guys, you’ve got 4.5, 4.6 guys. The opposing staff, should you’re not tricking them or fooling them, can keep together with your guys. A pair instances I noticed deep throws – it wasn’t like they weren’t making an attempt to try this – however it appeared like these guys have been all lined or a ball was underthrown by Mac Jones that led to an interception. This entire total league is constructed on velocity. The dynamic velocity that guys like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle deliver to a recreation fully places the protection on their heels.

“The Patriots don’t have anyone like that. They’ve good, strong gamers, don’t get me unsuitable, however these strong gamers should not amongst the highest 10 relating to explosive performs. Like whenever you watch Bijan Robinson for the Atlanta Falcons, you see a child that’s principally on a distinct degree from everybody else relating to quickness and velocity, a la Barry Sanders again within the day. Inform me one man on the Patriots roster that may mirror that sort of expertise, that sort of explosion. They only don’t have it.”

New England may need proficient gamers on their offensive personnel like Rhamondre Stevenson, Kendrick Bourne, and Hunter Henry, however the Patriots’ true speedster on offense in Tyquan Thornton (4.28 40-yard sprint) is presently on IR as a consequence of a shoulder damage, and has but to show that he has the sturdiness to resist the punishment of an NFL season.

Benching a shifty route-runner in Demario Douglas additionally looms massive after the rookie landed in Invoice Belichick’s doghouse following a pricey fumble on the finish of the primary quarter on Sunday evening.