Patriots focus on offensive adjustments

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Following a promising start, the Patriots offense is trudging through its first rough patch of 2020 under quarterback Cam Newton.

The Patriots had their worst offensive performance of the season during last week’s 18-12 loss to Denver, producing a seasonlow 288 yards.

Improvements will be needed heading into a matchup this week against a 49ers defense that ranks fifth in the NFL.

The areas that need immediate attention are the passing game, which has produced just one touchdown and five interceptions in back-to-back losses, and on the offense line, which continues to make adjustments because of injuries and COVID-19.

It’s a tall order, but one that Patriots coach Bill Belichick said begins with having a normal week of practice. New England had only two real practice sessions in preparation for

Denver after having to shut down its facility for several days following multiple positive COVID-19 cases.

“The more we can get out there and practice and improve our timing, our execution, our anticipation, our awareness, our communication, the more I think those things will help us,” Belichick said. “We’re going to do everything we can to maximize that and I think that will definitely help our individual performances and it will also help our unit performances the more we can do that.

“Hopefully, we’ll get a full dose of it this week.”

After ranking as high as eighth in the NFL in Week 2 when Newton threw for 397 yards in the Patriots’ loss at Seattle, New England’s passing numbers have declined over each of the past three games.

Charles Krupa / Associated Press Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman, shown warming up before Sunday’s game against the Broncos, is among the offensive performers who haven’t been delivering consistently this season.