The Patriots' Biggest Offensive Problem Isn't Moving the Ball

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The Patriots' Biggest Offensive Problem Isn't Moving the Ball

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kevin Stephan | Last updated Sep 28, 2026 1:30 PM ET

The New England Patriots‘ biggest issue from their Week 3 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars is their offense’s inability to punch the ball into the end zone, having to settle for only 6 points.

More often than not, the unit would find itself on Jacksonville’s side of the field, but was unable to create that X play that got the team into the end zone.

Over the course of the game, New England had the following big plays: A 34-yard reception by Kyle Williams (where he stepped out of bounds short of the end zone), a 38-yard reception by Demario Douglas, and multiple first-down gains from Mack Hollins.

New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins (13) hauls in a reception against Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown (1) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars defeated the Patriots 35-6. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]USA TODAY Network

The issue is that none of these plays were strung together on the same drive, leaving New England’s offense either empty-handed or forced to settle for field goal attempts. With the opposing Jaguars offense firing on all cylinders, running and passing the football, trading seven points for three points was never going to get New England back into the game.

Future Outlook

Over three weeks, New England has only scored two touchdowns on offense; Elijah Ponder scored on a fumble recovery against Pittsburgh. This ranks the Patriots tied with the Miami Dolphins for the fewest in the NFL.

As New England’s 1st-place schedule continues, the offense will have to wake up and be able to stack these chunk plays together. At some point, they are expected to get A.J. Brown back from injury, but putting too much stock in Brown’s reintroduction to the offense, leading to the offense waking up, is a dangerous game. Otherwise, they will not be able to keep up with highly productive offenses like the Bills, Lions, Chiefs, and the surprisingly undefeated Raiders.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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