Patriots: 3 positions Pats still must improve after win vs Jets

After falling short in a defensive slugfest against the Miami Dolphins in Week 1, the New England Patriots enjoyed a much-needed cakewalk victory over the lowly New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.

It was just what the doctor ordered for Bill Belichick, who continued his dominance against rookie quarterbacks, as No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson was picked off four times by the Patriots defense, including two on his first two passes.

If that somehow wasn’t enough to satisfy Belichick, surely Wilson getting booed off the field in his first home game did the trick, right?

We hope so. However, something tells us the Patriots head coach was up all night trying to figure out solutions to things that didn’t go well for New England.

After all, if any head coach can find flaws in a 25-6 road win against a division rival, it’s Belichick. With that in mind, let’s highlight a few positions that must improve before the schedule beefs up in Week 3 vs the Saints.

Patriots: 3 positions that need improvement after win vs Jets

3. Wide Receiver

Was anybody else expecting more from the Patriots passing game in this one? While Mac Jones held up well despite being under consistent pressure, he totaled just 186 yards through the air over 22 completions.

That amounts to just 6.2 yards per completion. The Jets’ pass defense hasn’t been the disaster many expected it to be, but those numbers are inexcusable. Does the offensive line deserve most of the blame for that? Probably, but the onus also falls on New England’s wide receivers to get open downfield.

For the game, Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne combined for five receptions for 31 yards. Jakobi Meyers chipped in with four catches for 38 yards, but it doesn’t look great that James White led the team in receiving.

The Patriots’ WR corps disappointed against the Jets in Week 2.

Hunter Henry finished second and Jonnu Smith checked in right behind Meyers. Sorry, but that shouldn’t be the case vs a burnable secondary.

What if we told you that the Patriots haven’t attempted a pass in the end zone through eight quarters of football? That stat brings up memories from last year, which is pretty concerning given the Bills just hung 35 points on the Dolphins and New England just played against one of the worst D’s in the league.

The wide receivers need to step up going forward. Plain and simple.