The New England Patriots are already facing difficulties, having dropped two consecutive games heading into Week 4 against the San Francisco 49ers. Unfortunately, their situation may worsen.
Three important players—offensive linemen Vederian Lowe and Michael Jordan, along with cornerback Alex Austin—missed Thursday’s practice, according to Doug Kyed of The Boston Herald. Given how vulnerable the Patriots’ offensive line has been in the first three weeks, losing more players in the trenches is far from ideal.
While the potential return of guard Sidy Sowe offers a glimmer of hope, it may not be enough if other linemen remain sidelined for Sunday’s game against the 49ers.
The Patriots initially sparked some optimism in Week 1 with an upset victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on the road. However, that win is starting to look less impressive. The Bengals have since fallen to 0-3, suggesting they may have been overrated. Meanwhile, New England’s performance has nosedived, with their latest loss coming in a dismal 24-3 defeat to the New York Jets.
As expected, the Patriots’ offense has struggled, especially in the passing game. While quarterback Jacoby Brissett has underperformed, it’s not entirely his fault, as he’s had limited protection from a shaky offensive line. Things could get even tougher against the 49ers’ formidable pass rush if key players are absent.
New England was widely projected to be one of the NFL’s weakest teams this season, so their current struggles aren’t shocking, but that doesn’t make them any easier to watch.
