4 Ripple effects of New England Patriots losing in Week 4

The Patriots losing in Week 4 sent ripple effects throughout the NFL. Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots losing in Week 4 sent shockwaves throughout the AFC. Let’s take a look at four ripple effects.

Ripple effect: Bills are biggest threat in AFC East

Had the Patriots taken care of business in Week 4, they would have had a stranglehold on the division at the season’s quarter pole. They would have been 4-0, and the Miami Dolphins, New York Jets and Buffalo Bills all would have found themselves looking up at the Patriots with 1-3 records.

With Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing enough interceptions to fund the NFL’s Guild of Defensive Backs’ Christmas banquet and the Dolphins drowning in mediocrity, the Bills are pretty much the sole threat to the Patriots in the AFC East. Sure, the Dolphins and Jets will always pester the Patriots because they know them so well, but wholistically, the Patriots should really only be worried about the Bills.

Our next ripple effect addresses the “system quarterback” conversation that drives this writer nuts…

Tom Brady is not a system quarterback. Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Ripple effect: Tom Brady is not a system quarterback

First of all, can we do away with the term “system quarterback”? It holds absolutely no weight. If a quarterback is a “system quarterback”, it just means that they are succeeding in the system they are working within, which is exactly what is expected of you. Does writing well make me a “system writer”? No, it just means I’m doing my job… anyway, you get the point.

Anyway, now that the Patriots were undressed without Tom Brady at the helm for the first time, those who were labeling the 17-year veteran a “system quarterback” can take a seat. Clearly, this team needs Brady. A season with Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett sharing quarterbacking duties would probably translate into an 8-8 or 9-7 by the looks of it, so let’s welcome Brady back with open arms and put the “system quarterback” talk aside for good.

LeSean McCoy made the Patriots defense look foolish in Week 5. Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Ripple effect: The defense struggles against the AFC East

The story of the Patriots’ defense through the first quarter of the 2016 season has been one of two tales.

On the one hand, we have the unit that stifled the Arizona Cardinals in the opener and the held the Houston Texans scoreless in Week 3. On the other, we have a unit that nearly relinquished a 31-3 lead against the Dolphins and got torched by one of the league’s most underwhelming offenses in Week 4.

With that in mind, we can interject that FC East offenses familiar with the Patriots’ way of doing things are giving the defense trouble. Yesterday, the Bills came out punching (literally; see Robert Blanton pre-game) and it caught normally-composed and on-point stars such as Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins off-guard.

Last but not least, to quote Bill Belichick at this juncture about two years ago…

We’re on to Cleveland. Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Ripple effect: We’re on to Cleveland

In many ways, yesterday’s loss was reminiscent of the Patriots’ embarrassment at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4 two years ago. You remember that night; everybody and their mother was calling for Brady’s decline, and the Patriots were in shambles. And what did Bill Belichick say? You remember.

Well, the 2016 Patriots will be hearing “We’re on to not Cincinnati, but a different AFC North team: Cleveland” from their head coach this week. So as a fan base, it’s time to move on to Cleveland, the last remaining winless team in the league.

Look, these lopsided losses happen from time to time in New England. It happened in the 2003 season opener against the Bills (31-0 as some of you may remember). It only builds character… championship character. Super Bowl winning squads need a wake-up call at some point, and the Patriots just got one.