FOXBORO — Patriots defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington didn’t have a clear answer when asked what issues have led to a historically top-10 unit struggling this season.

The Patriots’ defense ranked first in EPA (expected points added) per play during Steve Belichick’s tenure as play-caller from 2019 to 2023. They’re currently 30th this season.

“Yeah, I would say every year is different. Every defense is different. So that’s kind of how I look at it. Like I wouldn’t read too much into it,” Covington said. “So for us, we’re just trying to do the best we can every week, us as a coaching staff, us as the players, and I think those guys are working hard and trying to do what we ask them to do. So, I look at each year being different. So, like what you did last year, what we did previous years, every year is different. So that’s kind of how I look at it.”

When asked to clarify what he meant by “I wouldn’t read too much into it,” Covington said he just looks at what his defense does “week-to-week.”

“So, trying to get a W. That’s how I look at it, I’m trying to get a W,” Covington said. “That’s the most important thing to me, is winning.”

The Patriots are expected to struggle to get a win this week against the Bills in Buffalo, where they’re 14-point underdogs.