Decided this week was a good time to compare the Patriots to where they were last season using my grades. Nothing is ever going to be apples-to-apples in football with injuries, and the schedule has absolutely been a lot tougher (I'm pretty sure the Patriots had the 32nd-ranked schedule by DVOA wire to wire):
Team schedule by DVOA: 5th, 23rd future schedule
Offensive: 7th, 24th future
Defensive: 7th, 23rd future
But there are some concerning trends with this year's Patriots, both individually and across units, that need to be corrected during the bye week for this team to be hitting on more cylinders for the stretch drive and postseason (67.6% chance by Aaron Schatz ... can go to about 80% with a victory over the Lions).
Of course, the news isn't all bad; there have been some promising performances. Let's divide it up between The Good, The Not Great, and The Bad:
THE GOOD
The edge play: Elijah Ponder (26.5 pressures) has been better than K'Lavon Chaisson (21.5). Dre'Mont Jones (17.5) has been similar to Harold Landry (20) in 120 fewer snaps. And Gabe Jacas (17.5) has blown anything from last season out of the water (3.5 pressure from everyone else). This year's edge group is a +85.5, compared to +39.5 last year, so they've been great. Imagine if they get an effective Landry back. No wonder the Patriots didn't make a move here.
Christian Eliis: A year ago, Elliss was the worst-graded linebacker. Now, he's basically better than the entire linebacker group from last year.
2026 Elliss: 13.5 QB pressures, 10 run stuffs, and is a +30.
2025 linebackers: 7.5 QB pressures, 12 run stuffs, and a net zero.
Wow.
Rhamondre Stevenson: His Plus plays are up 16 this season, so his great is basically doubled. Yes, Stevenson is a very good back.
DeMario Douglas and Mack Hollins: At this point last year, the receivers were a +50.5 and now they are a +35.5. That's not great. But it was surprising to see that Douglas (+20.5) had done a pretty good Stefon Diggs imitation (+23), and Hollins (+14 despite IR) has replaced Kayson Boutte (+16). Imagine if they can get AJ Brown (-12) and Romeo Doubs (+5.5) going?
Will Campbell's pass blocking: His overall grade is slightly worse, but he's gone from allowing a team-high 23 pressures in nine games last year to just 15 now, even if his run blocking has been slightly worse.
Jared Wilson: He's been a slight improvement over Garrett Bradbury at center despite this being his first year at the position in the NFL, and a constant churn at the guard spots.
Matt Pryor: The sub at right guard has posted a grade (-5.6) that would have ranked fourth last year.
THE NOT GREAT
Drake Maye: