TWO LONG-TERM THINGS TO WATCH FOR DURING PATRIOTS 2ND GAME

There are two negative trends which appear to be developing for the Patriots.  

Red Zone- First up is the Patriots' lack of offensive production in the red zone.  While in years' past they were money in the red zone, that's gotten away from them in recent years and was a major issue in game 1.  

2021- Ranked 27th (success rate 25%)
2020- Ranked 24th (success rate 54.17%)
2019- Ranked 26th (success rate 49.21%)

Sideline Passes- JC Jackson was the guilty party last week.  He went up for an interception and came up about a foot short.  The receiver then easily came up with the ball with both feet in bounds.  JC tried to plead his case that he was out of bounds.  This seems to be a recurring theme with the Patriots defense.  I don't know if it's because we haven't had an offensive player who can actually make a sideline catch more than 10 yards down the field, or what, but defensively we aren't using the sideline to aid in incompletions.  I have no problem with JC or any other defensive player trying to go up for the interception, but they need to be able to force guys out instead of just turning around and signaling no catch all the damn time.