FOXBORO, Mass. — It’s easy to pick on New England Patriots receivers, but they aren’t this bad.
Through two games, New England’s receivers have combined for just 85 yards and one touchdown on 11 catches. It was particularly ugly in Sunday’s overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks, with Ja’Lynn Polk and K.J. Osborn (three catches for 19 yards) accounting for all the production from Patriots receivers.
New England must find a way to get more from its receivers, especially DeMario Douglas.
Head coach Jerod Mayo admitted as much after Sunday’s heartbreaking loss.
What Are DeMario Douglas’ Stats Through 2 Weeks?
Douglas is the Patriots’ best and most explosive receiver. He was dynamite throughout training camp and appeared ready for a breakout season.
Big games still could be on the horizon. However, Douglas was a total non-factor in the first two games.
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The second-year slot was targeted just three times in the season opener, finishing with two catches for 13 yards. Week 2 was even worse, with Douglas posting zero catches on just one target.
Of course, it’s not all Douglas’ fault. The Bengals and Seahawks both keyed in on him, and Jacoby Brissett had little time to operate in both games.
Regardless, four targets through two games isn’t nearly enough for the Patriots’ most talented pass catcher.
For what it’s worth, Douglas declined to speak to reporters after Sunday’s game.
Jerod Mayo Opens Up on Struggles of Patriots Receivers
During his postgame news conference, Mayo was asked about the lack of production from receivers and whether the Seahawks exposed the “limitations” of the Patriots’ offense.
“I’m not sure,” Mayo said. “Each team is going to try to attack us in different ways. We definitely have to start to get the ball down the field. We’ve got to start pushing the ball down the field to get that shell defense, and we’ve got to be able to run. We’ve got to be able to pass. We’ve got to be able to ping-pong between the two.
“It’s something that we need to work on. That’s what I would say.”
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Mayo also was asked for insight into how the Patriots can get Douglas more involved.
“Yeah, we have to get him going,” Mayo said. “We have to scheme up some things for him. He’s one of our most explosive players, and that’s on us as coaches to put it together.”
Patriots Players React to Another Bad Game for Receivers
The lack of wideout production was a popular topic inside the locker room after Sunday’s loss. Publicly, Patriots players insist they still believe in the receiving corps.
“They need to hold their heads up high,” said tight end Hunter Henry, who finished with eight catches for a career-high 109 yards. “That’s a good group, and we’re going to need those guys.”
Antonio Gibson believes it’s only a matter of time until Patriots receivers break through.
“I feel like we just gotta click,” said Gibson, who ran 11 times for 96 yards. “We got the receivers to do it. We got the quarterback to do it. It’s just gotta click for us, and we gotta start making those plays.”
Again, New England’s receiving corps isn’t this bad. The group is more talented than last season’s unit, and Kendrick Bourne should provide a needed boost when he returns from his ACL rehab.
However, the production in the first two games was putrid. Unfortunately for the Patriots, Thursday night’s game against the New York Jets will be another tough matchup.