"Patriots fans have a very specific picture of what a Mike Vrabel team should look like. It should be smart, savvy, and disciplined. It should be protective of the football, adept at clock management, and rarely penalized. It should look, in short, exactly like Vrabel's Titans team that bounced the Patriots from the postseason and ended the Tom Brady era with a 20-13 victory in the wild-card round in January 2020."
"Still, there is plenty of frustration to be found in the sloppiness. The Patriots lost to the Steelers last Sunday, 21-14, in large part because of five turnovers, including four fumbles, two by running back Rhamondre Stevenson. The Patriots have committed 28 penalties this season, tied for fourth-most in the NFL. They are getting in their own way, and they are not yet talented enough to overcome that."
"The sloppiness has negated some positive developments. On Vrabel's watch, the Patriots have become bolder, converting 4 of 5 fourth-down chances against the Steelers, including one from the Pittsburgh 15-yard line. And even with occasional judgment and ball-protection issues, quarterback Drake Maye appears on his way to fulfilling his vast potential - he's third in the NFL in completion percentage (72.6) and fifth in passing yards (785)."
The Patriots are a work in progress under Mike Vrabel, melding a roster that includes a couple dozen new players and expecting a long build. Sloppiness has been a major issue, exemplified by five turnovers in the 21-14 loss to the Steelers — four fumbles, two by Rhamondre Stevenson — and 28 penalties through three games, tied for fourth-most in the NFL. Positive signs include bolder play-calling, converting four of five fourth-down attempts against Pittsburgh, and quarterback Drake Maye's strong start (72.6% completion, 785 passing yards). The team has a clear opportunity to gain momentum against the Panthers.
Read at Boston.com
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