Patriots Blog: What We Learned In Detroit
BOSTON (CBS) - Here are some of the things we learned about the Patriots after Saturday nights blowout loss to the Lions.
- For starters, you can't win the Superbowl after two preseason games. The Pats were being heralded as the team to beat in the NFL after beating the Jaguars and the Buccaneers. This loss will bring them down to earth. They are a good team, but they do have a long way to go.
- The defense isn't perfect. The Pats pass rush was something that everybody talked about in the last couple of weeks. Against the Lions they got zero pressure on the quarterback. There will be a need for Albert Haynesworth and Shaun Ellis. Andre Carter and Mark Anderson are good players and there will be weeks that they will shine, but the additions of Haynesworth and Ellis will make them more consistent. Also, the Pats corners were terrible against the Lions. They too have a long way to go.
- The Pats offensive line has to protect Tom Brady better. This game looked as if Lions head coach Jim Swartz called Rex Ryan and got the blueprint on how to beat the Pats offensive line and get to Brady. This is a copy-cat league and teams are going to start trying to do the same thing to the Pats. The offensive line and Brady must find a solution.
- Tight end Aaron Hernandez continued to have a good preseason. His five catches for 46 yards, were the best stat of the night. He has shined with his play this preseason and he was good again last night.
