FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) – After an impressive performance in the key third preseason game, the New England Patriots seem to be ready for the regular season.

Coach Bill Belichick, however, has a different opinion.

Tom Brady completed 17 of 21 passes for 167 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, leading the Patriots (1-2) on three scoring drives in their best offensive showing of the preseason during a 24-7 win over Carolina on Friday night.

The three-time Super Bowl-winning head coach says the good statistics and the plays still need some polishing.

“First of all, I don’t think anybody’s ready to go,” Belichick said in a conference call on Saturday afternoon. “Everybody’s getting better, everybody needs to continue to get better and everybody’s got a long way to go. Coaching staff. Players. Our whole operation.

“We made a lot of strides in three weeks, but I don’t think we’re where we eventually need to be,” he said. “I wouldn’t put anybody in that category.”

Running back Laurence Maroney, playing his first game since offseason shoulder surgery, carried the ball on New England’s first seven plays and finished with 15 attempts for 58 yards.

The Patriots host the New York Giants in their final preseason game Thursday.