Jonnu Smith says the Patriots’ record isn’t reflective of them, and that’s exactly the problem

The New England Patriots are 2-4, but they shouldn’t be. They’re 2-4, but their record isn’t reflective of just how good they are. That’s what Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady said after Week 4, that’s what Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott said after Week 6 and that’s what tight end Jonnu Smith said on Wednesday.

It’s a common refrain outside and inside the building for New England. But it’s starting to feel like a bunch of — pardon my French — hooey. The Patriots are, indeed, talented. They wouldn’t have spent a record-setting number in free agency this offseason, if not to acquire big talents like EDGE Matthew Judon, tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith and defensive tackle Davon Godchaux. That’s why they should be better than this.

If there’s one game the team should have won, it was actually the season-opener against the Miami Dolphins, who are now 1-5. The Patriots fumbled away the ball in the red zone at a moment where they seemed on the verge of locking up the victory.

*narrator’s voice*: And then they lost.

It was a similar story against the Cowboys when a misfire from Mac Jones led to a pick-six. And though Jones mustered heroics with a touchdown and 2-point conversion on the ensuing drive, the quarterback would not have needed to be the hero if he’d just gotten a first down, rather than a pick-six. The Patriots would have won in regulation, rather than squeezing into overtime.

*narrator’s voice*: And then they lost.

Nick Folk had the chance to help the Patriots take the lead with a minute left in the game against the Buccaneers. He was on an insane run: 36 consecutive field goals, a franchise record. But he missed from 56 yards, his career-long, by doinking it off the left upright.

*narrator’s voice*: And then they lost.

It’s a pattern. This team, while impressive and showing promise, comes up just short. The truth is that they look like a team that should be in the mix for the playoffs. But looking at their chances (now just 21%), it seems like they’re basically out of the hunt.

The only good news is that the Patriots have the New York Jets at home in Week 7. That should be a blowout win for New England — if they are, indeed, as good as everyone says they are. If the Patriots are for real, then they have no choice but to start playing like it — and that extends from Smith, a major disappointment this season, to Bill Belichick, whose decision-making has been overly conservative.

The Patriots need a win over the Jets this week and it wouldn’t hurt for them to take down the impressive Chargers in L.A. in Week 8, too. It’s past the point where New England can take losses to some of the best teams. If the Patriots want to make the playoffs, they have to establish themselves as one of the best teams.

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What went wrong for the Patriots in their loss to the Cowboys in Week 6