The Patriots’ 2023 season hasn’t gone the way many inside or outside of Gillette Stadium would have hoped, even it if has played out somewhat the way many objective onlookers may have feared.
New England is not a good football team, sitting at 2-6 and dead last in the entire AFC heading into Sunday afternoon’s battle with the Commanders in Foxborough.
As such, veteran leader and longtime team captain Matthew Slater admitted that the Patriots have to fight “human nature” as much as they prepare to face off against Washington, avoiding the pull of letting losing cut into their motivations.
The Patriots as a team and as individuals have to find their why, their reason to continue to put forth their best efforts in the face of nine games with no playoff payoff in sight.
But, as linebacker Jahlani Tavai noted this week, there is a simple reason for the Patriots to stay focused, motivated and fully dedicated to their craft. They are professionals. They literally get paid to do so.
Finding the why as a fan at this point may be a bit more challenging. After decades of unprecedented success that set unrealistic, unsustainable expectations, why continue to invest time and money in a team that doesn’t measure up? That’s a tougher question to answer. But we’ll try to offer up a few whys, reasons to watch, support and invest in the Patriots down this long, fruitless home stretch of the 2023 season.
--That’s what fans do!: Being real fan is kinda like being married, it’s about the good times and the bad. ‘Til death do us part.
Patriots fans have been spoiled since 2001, many not aware of the organizational struggles in the decades that preceded the dynasty. Why continue to support your New England football team? Because that’s what being a fan is all about!
--Youth movement: While some of New England’s best players are hurt – Matthew Judon, Christian Gonzalez and Kendrick Bourne to name a few – there are still plenty of intriguing young players who’ll get the chance to step up and prove their future worth in the coming weeks. Keion White just might be the next great New England edge defender. Christian Barmore is starting to look like the dominant defensive line force many thought he could be. Demario Douglas is going to get more and more opportunities to impact games with his impact athleticism. Tyquan Thornton and Kayshon Boutte pretty much have to get their shot to show their stuff now. Jack Jones can prove just how good he might be as Gonzalez’ running mate and sidekick in the coming years. Oh, and if the kicking game is your thing, Bryce Baringer and Chad Ryland have legs that are worth watching.
--Bill Belichick: For better and worse, Belichick is still the sideline boss in New England. For better or worse, watching him is still watching one of the all-time greats to ever do the job. He’s a living legend whose success will be talked about for generations to come. When you watch him, you’re watching Lombardi or Auerbach or Wooden or Bryant. It’s not going to last forever. Maybe not even past this season. So, even if the results aren’t what anyone was looking for, soak in the fact that you’re watching living history when you watch Belichick.
--It’s football!: Maybe the Patriots are indeed one of the worst teams in football. Maybe they are truly destined for a top five pick in next April’s NFL Draft. (Fingers crossed!) But it’s still football. It’s still the best sport on the planet. It’s played in your state/region. There are way worse ways to waste your time and energy.
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