The beginning of the end?

Come on now, the sky is NOT falling. This is NOT the beginning of the end of the Pats Dynasty. They had a stinker. It happens. YES it is frustrating as all hell to watch. Don't feel bad for the Pats, feel bad for their next opponenet, the Steelers. They will feel the wrath of the Patriots embarrasing loss.

Here is how one paper described Sunday's game:
"They were flagged six times for false starts. They committed three turnovers. They got gashed on special teams and were humiliated in the running game. Tom Brady wasn't good. The coaching staff was surprisingly hesitant with its replay challenges and tentative with its play-calling."

That pretty much sums it up, though I don't think the Defense has any blame to bear. Delhomme was under 50% passing, the Panthers averaged under 3 yards per carry and their only receiver had no scores. Brady was awful and Dillon looked like Antwan Smith. Even Branch, who didn't drop a ball all season last year, had 2 drops. Graham and Watson failed to get open where Conwell did a week ago, and whenthey did, Brady made inaccurate throws.

Some frightning stats for the season so far:

* The Patriots’ kickoff coverage ranks 22nd in the NFL, allowing opponents an average drive start of the 29 yard line (actual average 28.9).
* The Patriots rank last in the NFL in average yards per rushing attempt –- 2.38 yards per carry. The team is 29th in rushing yards per game –- 56 per outing.
* The Patriots rank 25th in the NFL in third-down efficiency on offense –- 10 for 30.