Dreadful Patriots passing stats could sink hopes of improved 2024 season

The New England Patriots lost a heartbreaking game in overtime to the Seattle Seahawks in a very winnable game. It was an unfortunate loss in what could have been an utterly unexpected and sterling start of 2-0 to the 2024 season.

Emphasizing the run, the Patriots have been solid on the ground with star back, Rhamondre Stevenson gaining 201 yards in two games with two TDs, and Antonio Gibson chiming in with 114 yards of his own.

The run game certainly can't be faulted for any shortcomings in point production. Conversely, the Patriots' passing game has faltered and failed to deliver the goods. Lots of factors have helped fashion this lackluster performance through the air.

Let’s examine the Patriots' passing game’s two-game output and try to ascertain why this critical component of the team's performance is sorely lacking. We'll also suggest how to improve that passing offense. There may certainly be a way to do so.

The Patriots' passing game has sputtered to start the 2024 season

The Patriots' passing game failed to deliver when needed to complement the team's excellent run game and solid defense. Veteran Jacoby Brissett has been given the keys to the offense. He’s performed as expected. He has a 58.8 percent completion percentage for a paltry 270 yards and one TD.

As a journeyman backup, not too much should have been anticipated and the results have been accordingly tepid. His offensive line has also been spotty in pass-protection, allowing four sacks in two games and many more hurries. The absence of any left tackles is a major factor here and was as egregious an offseason omission and gaffe as is possible when you have a quarterback.

Then, there is the wide receiving corps. Lots of expectations were heaped on two rookies, a second-round pick, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Javon Baker, a fourth-rounder. Polk has three catches for 18 yards in two games and a TD, while Baker didn’t break into the scoresheet in his one game.

More surprising and disconcerting is that the team’s best receiver, Demario Douglas, has a mere two catches for 12 yards to his credit. With those stats, it’s less of a surprise that the team lost to Seattle than it won their first game against Cincinnati.

How the Patriots may be able to transform the passing game

Foundational issues such as the lack of any left tackles and a top, go-to wide receiver will limit the Patriots’ passing offense this season, no matter who is under center. Nevertheless, there is a move available that may just help get the team over the top in close games like that against Seattle.

That action is to install rookie quarterback Drake Maye into the starting lineup now. Maye is already getting about a third of the first-team snaps in practice, surprising at least one NFL analyst. That should tell everyone that he’s looked upon as a starter by his coaches.

There are more concrete reasons why Maye deserves the chance. In addition to winning the job in the pre-season, Maye has great mobility in the pocket, far greater than Brissett. He’s also a threat to run himself. With a porous offensive line, those attributes, along with the team’s strong running game, are one way, maybe the only way at this point, to try to make up for the other shortcomings.

The Patriots also cannot get the ball downfield through the air. Is that on the receivers ... most certainly, they're a component of it. Yet, Maye’s pocket-escapability in evading oncoming rushers will certainly afford additional time for the barely average receiving corps to separate.

Finally, the crowning feature of Maye’s ability is his cannon arm. He can make any throw from any arm angle and can throw long downfield to make the unexpected and unlikely happen. That's the situation with the Patriots’ pass offense after observing the first two games. The passing game needs an immediate upgrade as the team approaches the iron part of their tough schedule.

With their outstanding defense along with a top running game, even a decent passing offense may make competing for a playoff berth possible. The rest of the team deserves that opportunity. To get there, the only move that makes sense is to start Drake Maye now and see what happens.

Is it a lock he’ll thrive? No, nothing in football is short of having a Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes at quarterback. Yet, it's the only serious option available to the Patriots now if they are seriously seeking to win. Why not just give it a try? If it fails, the team can just continue to tank, maybe the plan all along.

More Patriots news and analysis: