Why the New England Patriots Should Be Worried

Tom Brady and the Patriots offense were off their game yesterday against the New York Giants. The star quarterback threw as many interceptions as touchdowns, and had accuracy problems all game long.

Despite his struggles, Brady, as he has done time and time again, led a late fourth quarter touchdown drive to give his team the lead. Following the score, there was only one minute and 36 seconds remaining, and it looked like the Patriots had yet another late game victory.

However, it was more than enough time for Eli Manning and the Giants. Despite missing their number one receiver and running back, the Giants were able to orchestrate an 80-yard touchdown drive, handing the Patriots their first home loss in three years.

For the most part, the Patriots much scrutinized defense did a good job in yesterday’s game. They held the Giants to zero first half points, and for only the second time all year held an opposing quarterback to under 300 yards passing.

What should really worry the team is their inability to finish.  On the Giants final drive, the Pats made three critical mistakes that ultimately cost them the game.

Kyle Arrington committed a crippling pass interference penalty that cost the team 36 yards on a ball that was underthrown. Safety Patrick Chung tried to intercept a pass that ended up being a 30-yard Jake Ballard catch, instead of going for a hit to prevent the completion. Finally, Sergio Brown made an inexplicable pass interference penalty at the one-yard line, on a ball that had no chance of being caught.

In another close game yesterday, the Green Bay Packers were involved in a shootout against the San Diego Chargers. The Packers had been unable to stop the Chargers all day and were grasping on to a 45-38 lead late in the fourth quarter. Unlike the Patriots, the Packers defense that had been picked apart throughout the game were able to make two big fourth quarter stops to seal the victory.

If the Patriots want to be considered among the league’s elite, they need to come up big in clutch situations. The way things have gone as of late, it’s hard to believe this team is destined for greatness.