Even though the New England Patriots lead the NFL in scoring after eight weeks, averaging 31.3 points per contest, the team’s offense has had its fair share of up-and-down play over the last few weeks: the pass protection has only slowly adapted to the injuries along the offensive line, the running game failed to gain positive yardage on a consistent basis, and the pass catching carousel continued the spin that started all the way back in the offseason.
Entering Week 9, it is clear that the unit has some questions to address despite the success it did have during the Patriots’ 8-0 start — and it better find answers quickly considering that the arguably toughest challenge of the awaits: a Baltimore Ravens team that is 5-2, fielding the second most productive scoring offense in the league behind New England’s, and that is coming off both a bye week and a three-game winning streak.