Patriots Having Significant Problems With Third-Down Defense

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Kerryon Johnson runs for yardage against the Patriots Sunday. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- Tough start for the Patriots. They've lost back-to-back games by double-digits for the first time since 2002 after falling to a previously winless Lions team. That dropped New England to 0-2 on the road.

It's the club's first 1-2 start in six years, and a very uncharacteristic performance last night when you consider Bill Belichick's led his group to a 45-7 record in games following defeats.

Pats hadn't lost consecutive games since 2015. Bill, what's the problem? 

"I've said this multiple times, I'll say it again," Belichick said. "We need to do everything better--play better, coach better, and execute better, in all three phases of the game. So whatever one you want to bring up, the answer's all the same. None of it's been good enough."

Patriots Not Concerned About Losing Ground In Standings - Thumbnail Image

Patriots Not Concerned About Losing Ground In Standings

Free safety Duron Harmon knows the time's now to improve.

"I mean, every year is different, so we gotta just look at what the problems are, be better at 'em, really work as hard as we can, work like hell this week, and do everything we can to put ourselves in the best position to go out there and win a game versus the Dolphins next week," Harmon said.

One big problem--third-down defense. Pats ranks 30th. Texans, Jaguars, and Lions have combined to convert 49 percent of the time.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) reports


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