Packers, Patriots Start Slow Amid Aaron Rodgers' Injury, Tom Brady's Struggles

The New England Patriots began the 2018 NFL season as the favorites to win Super Bowl LIII, and the Green Bay Packers weren’t far behind. That’s what happens when you’re led by the league’s two best quarterbacks.

But having Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers under center hasn’t been enough for the two teams to get off to fast starts. Both New England and Green Bay have struggled in the early going, winning one game apiece after Week 3.

Neither the Patriots nor Packers have won a game since the opening weekend. New England has dropped to 1-2 since defeating the Houston Texans in Week 1, losing consecutive road games to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Detroit Lions. After coming back from a three-score deficit to top the Chicago Bears in their home opener, the Packers tied the Minnesota Vikings and lost on the road to the Washington Redskins.

New England is in a three-way tie for second place in the AFC East behind the undefeated Miami Dolphins. Green Bay sits in second place in the NFC North, trailing the 2-1 Bears.

The Patriots’ loss in Detroit was one of the most surprising on the young season. Favored by a touchdown against a 0-2 Lions’ team, New England was unable to muster much offense against the league’s worst scoring defense. Brady finished with just 133 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception in the 26-10 loss. The quarterback had a 65.1 passer rating.

Brady didn’t have much help after posting a passer rating north of 100 in each of his previous two games. With Julian Edelman still serving a suspension and Josh Gordon inactive, New England’s wide receivers weren’t able to get much separation from the Detroit defenders. The Patriots also rank 30th in total defense.

Rodgers put up decent numbers Sunday, going 27-44 for 265 yards, two touchdowns and a 93.5 passer rating in Green Bay’s 31-17 defeat. The quarterback was clearly hampered by the knee sprain he suffered in Week 1, remaining in shotgun throughout the game and moving slowly in the pocket.

Green Bay is 23rd in points allowed and 27th in opponents’ yards per play. The Packers let Adrian Peterson run for 120 yards and two touchdowns a week after he was limited to 11 carries and 20 yards on the ground.

Week 4 should be an interesting one for both teams. The Patriots host the 3-0 Dolphins in what has become one of the biggest games on the upcoming schedule. Miami can take a commanding three-game lead with a victory in New England, though the Patriots will surely be favored. Green Bay hosts the Buffalo Bills, who were thought to be the NFL’s worst team before shocking the Vikings with a 27-6 win in Minnesota.

New England’s offense should improve over the coming weeks with additions at wide receiver, though the defense remains a question mark. Rodgers could be far from 100 percent for several more weeks as he battles through his knee injury. Green Bay’s quarterback is eighth in the NFL with a 104.5 passer rating. Brady is 14th with a 93.9 rating, one year removed from winning his third MVP award.

The Patriots last started 1-2 in 2012, finishing the season with a 12-4 record. The Packers also went 12-4 when they last failed to win two of their first three games, doing so in the 2014 season.