NFL Predictions Week 4: Patriots Won't Correct Defensive Issues vs. Raiders

Aside from the fact that the Buffalo Bills had actually won the game, the key storyline from the New England Patriots' 34-31 loss on Sunday was the shocking reality that Tom Brady had thrown four interceptions.

Yes, I agree, it was shocking. But from where I was sitting, that wasn't the most concerning part of the Pats' first defeat of the season. If I'm a Patriots fan, the thing I'm worried about right now is the fact that the defense can't seem to stop anyone.

That much is evident in the raw statistics. Through three games, the Patriots are allowing an average of 26.3 points per game, a figure that ranks 27th in the league. They are allowing 468.7 yards per game, the highest figure in the NFL by a pretty wide margin. Of those yards, 377.0 have come via the pass, another figure that ranks last in the league.

If you want, you could make excuses. You could talk all about how the Patriots' high-scoring ways force opponents to take to the air, which explains the inflated numbers.

This is true, but it doesn't mean the Pats don't have some serious issues on the defensive side of the ball. They are just okay in terms of putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and their secondary is about as impenetrable as a wet paper bag.

These things could get better as the year goes along. Indeed, that's exactly what happened last year. But if you're expecting a huge improvement in Week 4 against the Oakland Raiders, think again.

If you've missed either of Oakland's last two games, you may not have noticed that the Raiders have a very, very dangerous offensive attack. Combined in their last two games, the Raiders have scored 69 points and racked up 837 yards.

Sunday's game against the Jets was a particularly impressive performance. Rex Ryan's defense simply had no answer for the Raiders, specifically their vaunted rushing attack, which torched the Jets for 234 rushing yards. Of those, 171 yards came via the legs of Darren McFadden.

Speaking of McFadden, I think it's safe to consider him one of the best running backs in the league at this point, maybe even the best. He's a threat to take it the distance every time he touches the ball, and the Raiders can get it to him by either handing it to him or passing it to him. If they want him in the Wildcat, he can do that too.

This is something that should concern the Patriots. They haven't yet faced a team that excels running the football, and they may not be able to make the proper adjustments.

And then there are the holes the Pats have in their pass defense. Jason Campbell may be a streaky producer, but he has been nothing if not efficient this season. He's completed 66 percent of his passes, and his only interception came on a Hail Mary against Buffalo. He is perfectly capable of exploiting any and all weaknesses.

So when you think about it, this weekend's tilt against the Raiders has the makings of a game that the Pats' offense is going to have to win. The good news for them is that this is certainly something they are capable of, especially once you realize that Tom Brady is not going to throw four interceptions again (right?).

But sooner or later, the Pats are going to have to make so improvements on the defensive side of the football, as you can only survive by bludgeoning your opponents for so long. The Pats should know that as well as anyone given the way their season ended last year.

Make no mistake, the Patriots are going to be a good team either way. They just may not be a great team.