The Patriots beat the Jets 26-19. Divisional wins matter. But let's be honest: A.J. Brown looked like a player who'd missed four weeks, and against a Jets secondary that's been leaky all season, that's a problem. The offense couldn't establish rhythm when it mattered most, and you have to wonder if Brown's timing issues with Tommy DeVito are masking what should be an easy matchup on paper.
Here's what concerns us: Brown had opportunities Sunday. The Jets' coverage wasn't exactly exotic, and yet there were moments where the timing felt off, routes felt sloppy, the chemistry just wasn't there. When you're returning from injury, especially in October, you don't have the luxury of looking sluggish against a division rival. The window to build consistency is small. One ugly game becomes two, and suddenly you're looking at the backend of November wondering why your star receiver is still operating at 85 percent.
Mike Vrabel's scheme demands precision from his pass catchers. There's no room for rust in this system. Brown needs to get right fast — not next week, not in two weeks. Now. The good news is the film work should be straightforward. Fewer reps, sure, but cleaner execution, better preparation, sharper detail. He's too talented to stay in this funk, and the Patriots have enough weapons around him — Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas — that defenses can't just load up. But that also means Brown's underperformance is more noticeable, not less.
At 4-2, the Pats are positioned well in the AFC East. But they're not so far ahead that they can afford to have their top receiving threat playing tentative football. Brown needs to shake it off in practice this week and show up Sunday ready to make plays. The margin for error in this division is too thin for anything less.