Latest loss reveals just how deep Patriots' problems run

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The Patriots were hoping the problems that surfaced during their Week 6 loss to Denver were an aberration, a momentary setback rooted in the outbreak of coronavirus in their locker room and the lack of practice time that followed.

It turns out their issues might run much deeper than they originally thought.

The Patriots’ 27-point home loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday underlined problems on both sides of the ball, from the suddenly declining production of quarterback Cam Newton to a defense that is having trouble stopping the run and pass.

It has culminated in the Patriots’ first three-game losing streak since Bill Belichick’s first season in New England in 2000 and an increasing number of questions as they turn their attention to a road matchup with AFC East-leading Buffalo.

“You’ve got to take pride in this game, take pride in what you do, because if not, this game can be ugly to you like it was (Sunday),” Patriots center David Andrews said. “This game can humble you real fast, and it can be great to you at the same time. But just go back to work. That’s the only thing I know how to do.”

There doesn’t seem to be a quick fix, though.

While the offensive line was as healthy as it has been since the start of the season, it didn’t stop New England from committing four turnovers. The offense has 11 giveaways in the past three games.

Newton also finished with a season-worst 39.7 quarterback rating. He has five interceptions and no touchdown passes in his two games since returning from the reserve/covid-19 list.

He was pulled from the game in the fourth quarter in favor of backup Jarrett Stidham, but coach Bill Belichick said Newton is “absolutely” still the starter.

“A lot of it is mental. I’m not going to point fingers at nobody else, being the fact that I just didn’t get the job done,” Newton said. “It’s a distasteful taste and feeling, but yet here moving forward you just got to get on a roll. We just got to get one.”