New England Patriots - NESN.com
When the New England Patriots host the Carolina Panthers in Week 4, they’ll be trying for the third time to get head coach Mike Vrabel his first home win since taking over the team.
The Patriots are one of just four NFL teams this season to start 0-2 at home, but their lack of success at Gillette Stadium goes back significantly further.
The Panthers, meanwhile, will be looking to avoid an 0-3 start on the road under second-year head coach Dave Canales.
Like New England’s struggles at home, Carolina’s brutal run on the road dates back multiple seasons under third-year quarterback Bryce Young as well, as noted by ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
“Worst vs. worst: Patriots 3-16 at home since 2023, as Panthers 2-17 on road in that span,” Reiss wrote on Bluesky.
The Patriots were an NFL-worst 1-8 at home during the 2023 campaign, which was Bill Belichick’s final season at the helm. Then they tied for the second-worst home mark in the AFC in 2024 (quarterback Drake Maye’s rookie campaign), finishing 2-6 that year.
The Panthers were an NFL-worst 0-9 on the road in 2023 during Young’s rookie season before finishing slightly better at 2-6 in 2024.
Something will have to give on Sunday.
