FOXBORO — Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt touted the versatility of New England’s offense heading into their Week 2 showdown with the Seahawks. After Rhamondre Stevens ran wild in Week 1’s win over the Bengals, Van Pelt voiced his optimism that the New England offense could also get it done through the air.
Given the team’s limitations on offense — with an unproven set of receivers and an offensive line that seems incapable of pass protection — many took those as just kind words to boost the offense’s self esteem. It could have also been Van Pelt’s way of trying to get the Seahawks defense to think a little more about the pass on Sunday.
But outside of a five-yard touchdown grab by rookie receiver Ja’Lynn Polk, Patriots receivers were invisible in Sunday’s 23-20 overtime loss to the Seahawks . Jacoby Brissett targeted his receivers just five times, and they finished with just three catches for a grand total of 19 yards. Polk had two of those catches, while K.J. Osborn accounted for the other on a seven-yard reception in overtime.