BSJ Game Report: Patriots 24, Panthers 6 - New England win streak now at 3

Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ win over the Panthers in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

HEADLINES

Patriots post third win in a row, gain ground in AFC East: New England isn't even firing on all cylinders yet and they've won three straight, including two wins against teams that were .500 or better at the time of their meeting (both the Panthers and Chargers might be headed the wrong way, however). The better news is the Bills lost for the second time in three games, with Sunday's coming in a 9-6 defeat at the hands of the mighty Jaguars, who entered 1-6. The Bills are now 5-3, and the Patriots are just a half-game back at 5-4 with both meetings between the two teams in December. If you're the Patriots, you have to feel pretty good about the way things are shaping up.

Defense, uh, dominates?: This was one of those, "Are the Patriots playing really well, or are the Panthers — especially after losing their center and left tackle, and employing Sam Darnold — this awful on offense?" A convincing argument can be made on both sides. Let's stick with the facts ... the held the Panthers to 14 yards or less net yards on their first seven possessions and nine of 11 overall. They held Christian McCaffrey and Chubba Hubbard to a combined 55 yards on 17 carries (3.23 average), and Darnold (woof) to 48.5 percent completions and picked him off three times, including one for the easiest pick-six of JC Jackson's career. 

"Defensively, it was a good effort," said Bill Belichick. "We were able to put the quarterback under some pressure. Two of the turnovers we batted a couple of balls but both of J.C. [Jackson’s] interceptions both looked like they came with some pressure on them, just a couple of balls [Sam Darnold] had to throw away. He’s a tough guy to get down, we missed him a couple of times in the pocket, but that’s the way it’s going to be with Sam [Darnold] – he’s a big, strong kid that you’ve got to wrap up back there. But I thought our defense came to play today and played well, helped our offense out and saved some points on the two turnovers – held them to three points on both of those."

Offense puts together two drives: New England had two touchdown drives in the second quarter that averaged 9.5 plays and 77.5 yards. On the other six meaningful drives, they averaged 4.3 plays and 11 yards. Mac Jones completed 66.7 percent of his passes for 139 yards, threw a TD and an interception. The rushing offense, however, put up over 100 yards by halftime and rolled to 36 carries and 154 yards (4.3 average).

"Definitely feel like I could do better," said Jones. "I just have to look at myself in the mirror and figure out what I can do better. But, I don't think we quit and we just tried to play the full 60-minutes to the best of our ability. I think it’s just a great example of a good team win. The defense did expectational, so hats off to them. I am super happy for those guys, so hopefully we can just continue to play well."

Injuries take their toll: By the end of the game, Brandon Bolden was the only healthy running back and Jakobi Meyers was fielding punts. At various points, Gunner Olszewski (head - out), Damien Harris (head), Jonnu Smith (shoulder), Rhamondre Stevenson (head) and Matthew Slater had to be tended to. Olszewski, Harris and Stevenson could all start the week in concussion protocol.

Stephon Gilmore gets his revenge, kind of: The former Patriots cornerback got a measure of revenge against the team that traded him away by making a nice break on the ball to intercept Mac Jones. 

TURNING POINT

The Jackson pick-six. Up until then, it was actually still at a game at 14-6, which tells you how bad the Patriots were outside the second quarter. The Patriots scored 14 points without aid of a turnover.

SECOND GUESS

The Patriots had two more delay-of-game penalties. What the heck?

And, I mean, I could get on Bill Belichick for kicking a 54-yard field goal with Nick Folk (he's o-fer over 52 yards), but it mattered zero because Darnold is completely lost.

THREE UP

JC Jackson: Two gifts, I mean interceptions, are a good day at the office, including a pick-six that clinched the game. Since Jackson entered the NFL in 2018, he leads all NFL players with 22 interceptions (Xavien Howard has 20). It was his fourth game with two interceptions and second two-pick game of the 2021 season. He had two interceptions at the New York Jets on Sept. 19. He also had two interceptions at Buffalo on Sept. 29, 2019 and at Cincinnati on Dec. 15, 2019.

Christian Barmore: Had his third straight game where he made an impact rushing the passer and he also deflected two passes. His been very impressive all season, certainly as of late.

"He’s worked extremely hard," Belichick said. "I’ve got to give that kid a lot of credit: he comes in early, he stays late; he works on his flexibility, his strength, his technique. He’s really applied himself and he’s just gotten better and better every week in the running game, in the passing game, more discipline, use of hands, recognition of plays. He’s done a good job for us and he’s a big man."

Rhamondre Stevenson: The rookie back was basically the bulk of the Patriots with 12 touches for 106 yards, including a 41-yard catch and run to set up the first score.

THREE DOWN

Isaiah Wynn: Nearly got Mac Jones decapitated on a strip-sack and he generally had a ton of trouble with the Panthers' speed — and Wynn is supposed to be one of the Patriots' quickest linemen. Has become a constant problem.

Jakobi Meyers: Had a bobble that cost the team a first down, allowed Stephon Gilmore to beat him for an interception ... struggled all day with 1 catch for 8 yards on 4 targets. OBJ worries?

Jake Bailey: Had another touchback early in the game that ruined the field position game. Has been mediocre this year.

INJURIES

See above.

TOP PLAYS

TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

I'm second-guessing (kind of) my pro-OBJ stance. In the end, I think the Patriots still take the plunge on Odell Beckham Jr. for many of the reasons I laid out, but today's victory, coupled with the Bills loss and Browns win, has me thinking more. The Patriots have won three straight so why mess with a good thing and deviate from your original offseason plan? The Bills are now in reach in the division. Does Beckham help or hurt that cause? Finally, the Browns put up a 41 spot on Sunday in their first game without Beckham, after putting up 41 total the previous three weeks with him. Addition by subtraction?

I have no idea what to make of this team, and I don't think it matters. By the end of this season, the Patriots first five victories could be against teams with losing records. This Panthers offense, right now, is completely terrible and Sunday's performance was right in line with what they've done in their previous four games. They've playing winning football and considering all that's going on around the league, a W in the next game up is the most important thing.

"One game at a time," Matthew Judon said. "I think if you ask anybody on this team, that is how we have been taking it. We had some tough games and we had some tough losses, but right now it is one game at a time. We have to continue to stack the wins and not get too far ahead of ourselves. We have good opponents in the next coming weeks and we have got a short week coming up. So, we have to make sure we stack these wins. It is one week at a time."