Just keep in mind this: The Pats are favorites tomorrow, as they should be compared to the NYJetes. If they win, they'll finish 7-9 on the year. I know it hasn't looked good, there are glaring issues, this is not me dismissing the very real problems that exist with the Patriots roster. That being said:
The Saints went 7-9 in 2016. With Drew Brees starting every game.
The Packers went 6-9-1 in 2018. With Aaron Rodgers starting every game.
And these were years where there were offseasons, not in the middle of a global pandemic. Despite the pandemic, the loss of the GOAT, the opt-out of 9 starters, the new QB getting COVID, and so forth, the Pats have a chance to finish just 1 game under 500. A handful of plays go differently, and we'd be looking at wins instead of losses in the Seattle, Buffalo, and Houston games, and a team potentially finishing 10-6. That being considered, I don't think we're that far off from being competitive, no matter how much it may seem otherwise. 2 years with minimal improvements spent building towards the future, to get together a roster able to legitimately compete for Super Bowls again? It could be worse.