■ It’s officially time to be worried about the Patriots’ defense, which has been bad for four games and was downright atrocious on Sunday. This is a defense that brought back most of its key players from last year’s team, and added Stephon Gilmore on a massive contract. But blown assignments, poor tackling, and untimely penalties have been this unit’s hallmark. And they couldn’t stop the Panthers on the final drive, letting them march into position for a game-winning 48-yard field goal. It’s positively baffling.


■ Speaking of Gilmore, he’s going to want to burn the game tape. Once again, whenever there is a big communication breakdown, Gilmore seems to be involved. He had a big mix-up with Devin McCourty on Fozzy Whitaker’s 36-yard screen-pass touchdown, and had bad communication with Eric Rowe on a 43-yard catch by Kelvin Benjamin in which no defender was within 15 yards of the receiver. Gilmore also had two illegal hands to the face penalties on third down to keep Carolina drives alive. It looked like the Patriots demoted Gilmore in favor of Rowe to start the second half, but Rowe got hurt on the first play. Either way, the Patriots’ decision to let Logan Ryan walk and give Gilmore a four-year, $65 million contract looks more and more curious each week.

■ Meanwhile, the defense turned another struggling quarterback into Joe Montana. Cam Newton was 22 of 29 for 216 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception, picking apart the Patriots’ secondary with his tall receivers and well-designed screen passes. The Patriots have no pass rush, and are letting quarterbacks just pick them apart. All four of their opponents have thrown for more than 300 yards this season.


■ The Patriots’ offense scored 30 points, but Carolina made them earn every inch with its stout front four and speedy linebackers. Even though Brady threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns, he only averaged 6.8 yards per attempt and didn’t look comfortable in the pocket for most of the day. He didn’t have time to scan the field, and his receivers weren’t creating separation. James White was the leading receiver with 10 catches, but for only 47 yards.

■ The Patriots’ short-yardage running game is atrocious, and is affecting their play-calling. They entered the game 1 for 5 in converting rushes of third-and-1 and fourth-and-1 this year, and resorted to having to throw the ball on the goal line. It resulted in a 2-yard touchdown for Chris Hogan and a 1-yarder for Danny Amendola, but the Patriots’ offensive line can’t get any push this year. Marcus Cannon also had a rough day, allowing two sacks against Julius Peppers.

Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly talks about facing Tom Brady and the Patriots and about the Panthers’ defensive game plan. Share Email to a Friend Embed Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly talks about facing Tom Brady and the Patriots and about the Panthers' defensive game plan.

Ben Volin can be reached at ben.volin@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @BenVolin