Week 3 rewind

At the start of the 2011 season the Patriots hadn't lost back-to-back games in almost a decade. After Sunday's last-second loss to the Ravens it has happened two years in a row. Last year the Pats came out of their bye week and dropped games to the Steelers and Giants. They didn't lose again till the Super Bowl. This year they've dropped two consecutive close ones. They probably won't win their next 10 games like last year but they should win a lot more than they lose the rest of the way.

The wild and crazy loss to the Ravens was looking all good entering the second quarter Sunday night. After that it was about 50-50 good and bad.

GOOD

• Tom Brady. The future hall of famer added another gem to his resume. He was in total control in a hostile environment. He spread the ball around, got rid of it quickly, made very few unforced errors, and had the team in position for a huge road win against a conference rival. Sadly his defense couldn't wrap it up for him.
• Brandon Lloyd. Lost in all the "what's up with Welker?" talk has been the excellent play of the new #85. After three games he's tied for sixth in the league with 22 catches. He has shown he can run the crisp routes that Brady demands and his ability to make the sideline grab and tap his toes is amazing. He now needs to get into the end zone.
• Wes Welker and Julian Edelman. Or is it Edelman first and Welker second? Of course it's Welker first. He's still the best slot receiver in the game. His role was reduced in the first two weeks because tight end Aaron Hernandez is the second-best slot receiver in the game. There are only so many passes to go around. Welker will catch 90 balls before it's all said and done. Edelman won't catch nearly that many, but he had a nice touchdown against the Ravens D and his versatility makes him very valuable.
• Bill Belichick. OK, not the part where he tugged on the ref's jersey. The part where a week after his team stunk it up in the home opener he and his staff had them ready for the challenge against a great Baltimore team. The Pats didn't win, but it wasn't because of the coaching.
• Offensive line. It looks like Brian Waters isn't coming back. But it also looks like the line will be able to hold its own without him. The line hasn't been spectacular, but it has been solid. And barring injury it should keep getting better.

BAD

• Play calling. Sometimes Josh McDaniels is just a little too clever for his own good. On the Pats's drive after the Ravens' first score Brady had moved the offense to midfield when McDaniels called a direct snap to Woody/reverse to Edelman play. The play lost 13 yards, killed the drive, and soon the Ravens were scoring again to take the lead. Don't get tricky with the lead in Baltimore. Save that for Miami.
• Run defense. What run defense? There was very little of it after the first quarter. Big Vince and Kyle Love got pushed around and linebackers Spikes and Mayo were constantly guessing wrong. I don't think you'll see that happen again any time soon.
• Pass rush. What pass rush? Jones and Ninko were held in check all night. Flacco never had to flinch. From the replays it looked like Jones and Ninko were literally held all night thanks to the fake refs not calling offensive holding. But even if that was the case the defense has to find some way to get pressure on the QB. 
• Officiating. Well, we don't have to worry about that anymore. 

The Pats head to Buffalo. A place where they lost last year and a place where I felt before the season started they will lose again. I hope I'm wrong. It's an early must-win game.