Football is weird. Seriously. One week you think a team has finally turned the corner, and the next, you’re staring at a box score wondering if you even watched the same sport. That’s basically where we’re at with the New England Patriots week 4 situation. While the national media loves to harp on the final score or the quarterback rating, anyone actually watching these games knows that week 4 is usually when the "Belichickian" hangover finally clears—except this isn't that era anymore. It's a different beast now under Jerod Mayo.
The reality? Most fans are looking at the wrong things.
New England Week 4: The Offensive Identity Crisis
If you look at the history of this franchise, the fourth game of the year is historically where the "real" team shows up. Usually, the first three weeks are basically an extended preseason. But in 2024, the New England Patriots week 4 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers wasn't just a loss; it was a diagnostic test that the team failed in some pretty specific ways. You’ve got a patchwork offensive line trying to protect Jacoby Brissett while Drake Maye looms in the background like a shadow.
It’s messy.
The offensive line is the elephant in the room. You can't run a complex West Coast offense when your left tackle is getting beat in 1.8 seconds. Statistics from Next Gen Stats showed that Brissett was under pressure on nearly 50% of his dropbacks during that stretch. That is unsustainable. It's not just bad; it's "your quarterback is going to end up on the IR" dangerous.
People keep asking why Maye isn't starting sooner. Well, look at the tape from the New England Patriots week 4 game. If you put a rookie into that environment—behind a line that can't pick up a stunt to save their lives—you aren't "developing" him. You’re breaking him. David Carr knows a thing or two about that. It’s about survival.
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The Defensive Silver Lining Nobody Is Talking About
Despite the scoreboards not always looking pretty, the defense during the New England Patriots week 4 window showed some genuine grit. Keion White is becoming a problem for offensive coordinators. He’s essentially a heat-seeking missile at this point.
Most analysts expected the defense to crater after losing Ja'Whaun Bentley to a torn pec. Bentley was the signal-caller, the "brain" of the front seven. Losing him right before the New England Patriots week 4 clash was supposed to be the death knell. Yet, Jahlani Tavai stepped up. It wasn't perfect, but the way they managed to contain elite playmakers for at least three quarters suggests that the coaching staff hasn't lost the locker room.
- The Keion White Factor: He’s putting up pressure numbers that rival some of the league's elite edges.
- Secondary Depth: Christian Gonzalez is back to looking like a top-tier corner, even when the pass rush doesn't get home.
- The Run Fit: Even without Bentley, the gap discipline stayed surprisingly tight against a Shanahan-style zone run scheme.
Why the "September Slump" Feels Different This Time
Historically, New England fans are used to slow starts. 2014 was the "On to Cincinnati" year after a blowout loss. But this isn't 2014. Tom Brady isn't walking through that door. The frustration surrounding the New England Patriots week 4 performance stems from a lack of explosive plays.
The NFL is a big-play league now. If you can't generate plays of 20+ yards, you have to be perfect on 12-play drives. This team isn't perfect. They commit penalties. They have a bad snap. They miss a block. When you play "small ball" in the NFL, your margin for error is razor-thin.
Let's talk about the coaching. Jerod Mayo is in a tough spot. He’s trying to establish a new culture while also keeping the defensive DNA that actually worked. Alex Van Pelt’s play-calling has been criticized for being too conservative, but honestly, what else can he do? If he calls deep shots, Brissett gets sacked. If he runs into loaded boxes, Rhamondre Stevenson gets hit three yards behind the line. It's a tactical stalemate.
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The Turning Point for the Roster
The New England Patriots week 4 film showed us exactly who can play and who can't. Sometimes you need a blowout loss to realize that your "veteran depth" isn't actually deep. We saw some younger guys getting snaps because, frankly, the starters weren't getting it done.
Pop Douglas is still the most electric thing on this offense. When he gets the ball in space, things happen. But for some reason, the targets weren't there in the volume they needed to be. Why? It's the "middle-of-the-field" problem. Without a consistent threat at tight end or a vertical threat to clear out the safeties, the field shrinks.
The 49ers game was a masterclass in how to squeeze the Patriots' offense. They dared New England to throw outside the numbers. They didn't think New England could do it. And for the most part, they were right.
Looking Forward: How to Fix the New England Patriots Week 4 Fallout
Fixing this isn't about one trade or one benching. It’s about a fundamental shift in how they protect the quarterback. You might see more Max Protect looks. You might see more 12-personnel (two tight ends) just to keep the edges secure.
The New England Patriots week 4 struggles are a blueprint for every other team on the schedule. If you’re the Dolphins or the Jets, you’re looking at that week 4 tape and saying, "Okay, we just need to blitz the B-gap and they’ll fold."
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New England has to counter that.
- Move the Pocket: Brissett isn't Lamar Jackson, but he can move. They need more bootlegs to give him a clear vision of half the field.
- Feed Pop Douglas: He needs 8-10 targets a game, period. He’s the only one creating separation consistently.
- Simplify the Protections: Stop trying to be fancy. Build a wall and let the running backs find a hole.
The Realistic Outlook
Is the season over? No. That’s reactionary talk. But the New England Patriots week 4 performance was a reality check. This is a rebuilding year, even if nobody wants to use that word. The goal isn't necessarily a Super Bowl in 2024; it’s making sure that by week 18, you know exactly what you have in your young core.
The defense is good enough to keep them in games. The special teams are... well, they’re fine. It all comes back to the offense. If they can find a way to score 20 points a game, they’ll be a tough out. If they stay in the 10-13 point range, it’s going to be a long winter in Foxborough.
Practical Next Steps for Following the Team
- Watch the Injury Reports: Specifically the offensive line. Until the starting five is settled, the offense will remain stagnant.
- Track the Snap Counts: Watch how many snaps the rookies are getting compared to the veterans. This tells you who the coaches actually trust.
- Monitor the Transfer of Power: Keep an eye on the practice reports regarding Drake Maye’s reps with the ones. That’s the real story of the season.
- Focus on the Red Zone: The Patriots' ability (or inability) to convert inside the 20-yard line is the literal difference between a 6-win and a 9-win season.
The "New England Patriots week 4" narrative is one of a team caught between two eras. They have the toughness of the past but lack the explosive talent of the modern NFL. Closing that gap is the only thing that matters moving forward. Focus on the development of the young secondary players and the health of the offensive line; those are the only metrics that will accurately predict where this team ends up in January.