This is not going to be rocket science or anything profound.
If the Patriots, coming off their shellacking at the hands of the Packers, are going to be true AFC contenders — which includes hanging onto their final playoff spot and winning postseason games — there are three areas where they are going to have to improve over the course of the rest of the season:
1. Drake Maye's interceptions. He's tied with the oft-mocked Justin Herbert for the league lead with 11.
2. Unblocked pressures allowed. The Patriots are allowing the second-highest rate in the league (13.9%), behind the oft-mocked Eagles (16.5%).
3. Big pass plays. The Patriots are allowing the third-highest rate in the league at 11.1%, right behind the Colts (11.4%) and Texans (11.2%)
• As far as Maye's interceptions, this is well-worn territory in this space and doesn't really need to be belabored. I'm sure getting A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs back in the fold will help. But conventional wisdom told us that Maye didn't have good receivers or blocking last year, either — and he was in the first year of Josh McDaniels' system — and he only threw eight for the entire regular season. He's on pace to throw over 20. Geno Smith led the league last year with 17 interceptions.
Maye's pattern of play has been fairly predictable to this point. He's thrown all 11 of his interceptions against pass defenses ranked 14th or higher in DVOA, including three each against the best two he's seen (Seattle #3, Green Bay #4) and two against the #5 Jaguars.
Maye has yet to throw an interception against three of the worst passes he's faced (Jets, Dolphins, Raiders).
The good news is Maye faces four teams in the bottom half to finish out the season, including his next two outings (Lions, Chargers).
The bad news is Maye faces four pass defenses in the top half to finish the season, including two in the top six (Vikings, Broncos).
If Maye stays consistent with his pattern, he'll throw seven more interceptions in those games to finish with 18, and he'll cook against the bottom, as usual.
• The unblocked pressure thing is