Tom Brady is not a happy camper.
A player familiar with everything from 4-12 seasons to Super Bowl losses would rather show some credit for this Patriots season.
They have two weeks to solidify their status as the AFC’s best team.
Brady said he is not at his best when the Patriots are playing the lowly Titans, Jaguars and Buccaneers. After a 15-point loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday, Brady sounded ready to end the losing streak with a victory on Sunday.
“It’s just one game. It’s Week 9, and we have to respond,” Brady said Tuesday. “There are a lot of things that we’ve got to get better at. We’ve got to execute and do things better. But it’s really important for us to come together as a team. You can never question your team until you get on the other side of it, so that’s what it is.
“We’re disappointed in that loss. But it’s really important for us to continue to improve. Our next opponent is tough and very talented. We have to go and find a way to be ready to play.”
The Patriots are off to a 5-1 start for the 17th time in 18 seasons, the only exception being 2003. New England has won 14 straight at home since beating the Bills 21-17 on Oct. 10, 2011.
The 45-7 blowout of the Jaguars at home last week marked a four-game home win streak against the AFC South, tying the franchise mark set from 1988-89.
They’ve won the division nine times in 16 seasons, most since they joined the NFL in 1960. The Patriots are 14-2 against the division in the Tom Brady era.
So they’re not about to take anything for granted.
“We’re out there to win every game,” Brady said. “If we go into every game and take it one week at a time, at the end of the year, that’s the best way to approach it. You just can’t focus too much on any of these games or anything you’re doing is going to help you. If you’re doing your job, all it does is take you one step closer to making the playoffs.
“In a two-point loss, if you keep being yourself and you don’t change, you’re going to find a way to win. In a 30-point loss, you’re probably going to make the playoffs if you’re doing what you’re supposed to do, but if you’re not, you’re probably not.”
With injuries plaguing his offensive line — left tackle Nate Solder (shoulder), center David Andrews (foot) and guard Joe Thuney (knee) are still recovering from injuries, Brady has little time to pass the eye test.
So, Brady tries to push past any issues in the pocket.
“I have the luxury of spending a lot of time with the coaching staff before we go out on the field and during the game and getting a lot of breakdowns with the guys about how they’re using their leverage, when their tackling is OK, when it’s not OK, where they’re leaving their guards.
“There’s all these things that we need to get better at. It’s a team game. We all are doing our part to make it better.”