listen to the weei 6 rings patriots postgame show:
For the second week in a row, the Patriots were embarrassed in a non-competitive football game by a fellow NFL opponent. This time, it was in front of their own Gillette Stadium crowd.
Ravaged by awkward silences, boos, and seldom cheers, New England lost to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday in their largest home loss under head coach Bill Belichick.
Here are five immediate thoughts from the contest:
5 - The Patriots are in a bad place.
After falling to 1-4 on the 2023 season, it’s expected that the Patriots could start to unravel here. Friction in the locker room and plenty of hanging heads is understandable when your playoff chances are all-but gone just five weeks into the season.
But during the game? Never mind in the second quarter? Inexcusable. That's what we saw during their loss on Sunday. The second New England fell into a hole (like they’ve done for much of this season) both the offense and the defense played uninspiring football as if they knew the game was already out of reach. No celebrations on big tackles. No picking each other up. Nothing. Just going through the motions. On October 8th.
Ever heard of 28-3? Sure, you had the greatest player in the sports’ history at the helm, but anything is possible. With 14:30 left in the second quarter, you should probably act like it. Instead, the give-up begins.
4 - Not only did the players give up, but Belichick did as well.
While it’s tough to see players pack it in, it's even more deflating to see your head coach waive the white flag. It looked like Bill Belichick did just that on Sunday.
With 9:48 left in the THIRD quarter, down 24-0 the Patriots decided to punt... on the NEW ORLEANS 40-YARD LINE. ON FOURTH AND THREE!
Excuse my caps lock, but in a three possession game, with your season on the line, you absolutely have to give your offense a chance to convert and keep the drive alive. Even if the play call probably wouldn't have worked, which we'll get to.
3 - Some rookie moments for New England’s specialists.
After the Patriots drafted a kicker, Chad Ryland, and a punter, Bryce Baringer, in the fourth and sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the writing was on the wall for New England's current specialists.
Sunday likely had fans wishing Nick Folk and co. were still here.
Ryland was 0-1 on Sunday, missing an attempt from just 48 yards out, and Baringer shanked several punts with a long of just 57.
I know there are plenty of problems outside of the Patriots' special teams unit at this point in the season, but seeing the rookie struggle just adds insult to injury.
P.S. Nick Folk is 13-13 on field goals with Tennessee this season.
2 - I was incredibly wrong about Bill O’Brien’s impact on this offense.
Hand up, I thought bringing back Bill O'Brien to command this offense alongside Mac Jones was a perfect pairing. Boy, was I wrong.
Here’s a look at New England's offensive drives on Sunday:
3 plays, 8 yards, punt
3 plays, 4 yards, pick-six
7 plays, 49 yards, missed FG
3 plays, 4 yards, punt
6 plays, 14 yards, punt
5 plays, 24 yards, punt
3 plays, 4 yards, fumble lost
4 plays, 35 yards, punt
3 plays, -2 yards, punt
1 play, 0 yards, interception
3 plays, 6 yards, punt
4 plays, 9 yards, turnover on downs
3 plays, 8 yards, punt
4 plays, 5 yards, turnover on downs
No matter how you slice it, that's abysmal. They also had just eight first downs, were 1-14 on third down, and 0-2 on fourth down, The play calls don’t make sense, there’s no sense of urgency, and they haven't used their weapons properly at all.
At one point, over 12 'third and short' scenarios, O'Brien called a run to a running back just one time. That's not effective, and it's one of many reasons why the Patriots may be one-and-done at offensive coordinator again.
1 - Start scouting those college quarterbacks.
Whether you’re a Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, or Bo Nix guy - Patriots fans should start watching some college quarterbacks on Saturday’s.
Whether you want to call this rough stretch of offensive football Mac Jones’ fault or not his time as a successful quarterback for the Patriots seems to be up. After a 1-4 start to the 2023 season, New England is bottoming out and could potentially have their pick of several franchise-altering signal callers at the top of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Fall in love with one, a few, all, or none of them - but start watching, because if things don't change, the Patriots will likely have a new quarterback for the 2024 season.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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