Convert in the red zone

Jones had no problem sustaining drives, converting 11 of 16 third-down chances against the Dolphins, which sported the NFL’s best third-down defense last year.

He authored three drives of 14 plays or more. The issue was converting those red-zone possessions into touchdowns, as the Patriots were just 1-for-4 in the money area.

Part of that was due to untimely penalties, fumbles, and poor execution.

Field goals are no longer going to cut it against most opponents. The Patriots can’t think the Jets will be the exception. Field goals will allow them to hang around in the game. Touchdowns should bury them early.

“It’s something we’ve been working at, and something we’ll continue to work at,” said wide receivers coach Troy Brown, asked this week about the red-zone woes. “We have to get better at that part of the game. We’ve all gotta fix things that we didn’t do great in the game and obviously, continue to get better.

“I think it’s just an issue across the entire unit,” he went on. “It’s just about scoring points, and putting points on the board. And, obviously, when you’re in the red area, you’d prefer to have touchdowns and not field goals. We’re 1-for-4. It’s below our expectations.”