FOXBOROUGH, Mass. _ The Patriots' bye week is coming at a great time. Even if that means the players have to stew in the team's first loss of 2019.
As players headed home on Wednesday afternoon, they did so with a positive attitude and with a good idea of what needs to improve come Week 11. If anything, the team's four-day weekend will help players recuperate and return fresh in preparation for the second half of the season.
As they say in Foxborough, November is where the real football begins.
"I mean, we're 8-1. I mean, of course we want to be 9-0 so it's always tough but facts are facts _ we're 8-1, so that deserves a smile, right?" Kyle Van Noy said. "I mean feel like it's much needed and you know guys will be able to get healthy and I will get to look at their film and focus on the Eagles."
After their 37-20 loss in Baltimore, the Patriots will likely return to Foxborough next week with the No. 1-ranked defense in the NFL. Currently, the defensive unit is allowing an average of 10.9 points per game, which is the best mark in the NFL.
Of course, Baltimore exposed some weak links in that game _ namely 210 total rushing yards allowed _ so the Pats will return with the focus of being better against the run.
Offensively, the Patriots have averaged 30.0 points per game in 2019. That's currently the second best mark in the NFL. Of course, the offense has had some help from special teams and defense in the touchdown department. In terms of total offense, the Pats are ranked 15th.
Things haven't been perfect, but Tom Brady is currently No. 2 in the NFL in passing yards (2,536) and No. 1 in pass completions (230). Julian Edelman is third in the NFL in receptions (63) and Sony Michel is tied for fifth in the NFL in rushing touchdowns (six). The hope is that the return of left tackle Isaiah Wynn (potentially in Week 12), will help both the pass protection and run game.
In the end, the Patriots will take a break this weekend and return next week in hopes of correcting some mistakes. And when you're 8-1, it's hard to get too down.
"(We're in) a good mood," Matthew Slater said. "We've got a lot to be thankful for. We've been pretty decent _ above average, I think _ over the course of the season thus far, so there's no reason for anyone in here to be in the tank. Let's just take advantage of the opportunity we have to improve this week, try to get healthy, and then hopefully come back against Philly and play a little bit better than we did on Sunday night."
"I think we regroup, get healthy and try to continue to work toward improving," Slater added. "Obviously, what happened last week is last week, so you've got to be able to turn the page. You've got to try to learn from your mistakes and realize that we're still in good position to be competitive down the stretch."
