Patriots have been deflated

Brady and Co. putting up paltry stats on offence

The Cleveland Browns have a better record than the New England Patriots three weeks into the NFL season.

The Browns are 1-1-1, while the Patriots are 1-2.

No more startling fact than that can lead off an item on the early season struggles of the twotime defending AFC champion Patriots. But other stats similarly open one’s eyes and paint the same uncommon picture.

All point to this: what the heck is wrong with New England? The defence can’t stop the run (only Detroit is worse at it) and the offence can’t pass worth a lick.

The only clubs so far with less prolific passing attacks than New England’s (202 yards per game) are those with starting quarterbacks who are either too inexperienced, too old or too banged-up: Cleveland (191), Chicago (178), Tennessee (162), Buffalo (148), Dallas (145) and Arizona (132).

“It’s no way to play football,” quarterback Tom Brady said after New England’s 26-10 thumping Sunday night at the hands of the previously winless Detroit Lions.

An anemic passing attack is a big reason behind the Patriots losing lost back-to-back games by double digits for the first time since December 2002.

But know this. The last time the Pats opened with two September losses in 2014, they went 10-2 thereafter before running the table in the playoffs to win another Super Bowl.

Even if the Pats lose Sunday at home to Miami (3-0), know the only other Bill Belichick/bradyera New England team to lose three of its first four was the first, the 2001 team. That team finished 11-5 and won the franchise its first Super Bowl title.

After the Miami game, the offence returns one proven difference maker at wide receiver in Julian Edelman (PED suspension). Newly acquired Josh Gordon could be added as soon as this week (hamstring injury). Each should provide an immediate boost.

“We’re not executing well enough on a down-by-down basis,” Brady said. “And we have to get it corrected soon.”

ALLEN’S A KEEPER

Those still clinging to their belief the Buffalo Bills would have been better off sticking with Tyrod Taylor, who is now in Cleveland, over rookie Josh Allen at quarterback might want to digest these numbers.

Each has played 2½ quarters so far this season. Here’s how their aggregate stats compare:

❚ Allen: 55.7 per cent completion rate, 515 pass yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions, 76.8 passer rating, 11 sacks taken, two rushing touchdowns, 97 rush yards, 603 total yards.

❚ Taylor: 48.8 per cent completion rate, 462 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions, 63.7 passer rating, 13 sacks taken, one rushing touchdown, 125 rush yards, 587 total yards.

What’s more, since Allen was named the Bills’ starter two weeks ago, he has thrown for more passing yards than New England’s Tom Brady (441 to 367) and personally accounted for more passing and rushing touchdowns (four to three).

Tiny sample size, granted. That said, Allen appears farther along than any of us would have thought possible nearing the end of his first month in the league. Hebrew Basic Burial will be closed for Sukkot on Monday and Tuesday. We will re-open after sundown on Tuesday evening.

WE’RE NOT EXECUTING WELL ENOUGH ON A DOWN-BY-DOWN BASIS.

PAUL SANCYA / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Through three games, the Tom Brady-led Patriots have compiled more passing yards per game than only six other NFL teams.