The New England Patriots have completed two preseason games, and their offense hasn't looked overly impressive in either matchup.
In the first game against the Carolina Panthers, the offense scored two touchdowns and set up their special teams unit for one field goal. They completed just 56.3% of their passes for 161 yards and rushed for 113 yards on 3.8 yards per attempt.
Against the Philadelphia Eagles, the group scored just one touchdown and set up Joey Slye for two field goals. They completed an abysmal 48.3% of their passes for 90 yards and an interception and rushed for 69 total yards on three yards per attempt.
With that, Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo knows that the offense needs more work before the regular season starts. And, although some coaches treat the preseason finale as an opportunity for bottom-of-the-roster players to showcase their talent, Mayo said after the game that the starters will play against the Washington Commanders next week.
"They have to get better, as a whole, as a unit," Mayo said when answering a question about the offensive line. "They just have to get better, and that comes through playing football games. We have another preseason game coming up. We're gonna play, and that's the only way you're gonna get better at football is playing football."
On Friday, Mayo clarified that he was speaking about the whole offense.
"I was talking more holistically," he said. "I think the entire offense definitely needs to play and continue to gel, and that's what we're gonna do."
This is a smart move for Mayo. The unit needs to improve before the start of the regular season and playing guys who hopefully won't see the field does little for the team right now.
They need to get the starters out there and give them opportunities to learn and improve together against another defense in a live game setting.
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