There was once a time when the New England Patriots were renowned for the level of extra preparation for their next game they underwent during the bye week. That time seems to have long passed.
Coming off their annual week of in-season rest, the Patriots fell to the New York Giants 10-7 on Sunday afternoon in the battle for the third overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The loss punctuated what has been a brutally disappointing season for a team that used to routinely dominate the NFL, and one that had even usually reserved media members openly astounded.
THIS. SEASON.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) November 26, 2023
Here are five big takeaways from the loss.
1
The Patriots season, in a nutshell
In the first two weeks of the season, the Patriots failed to mount late-game comebacks against daunting opponents in the Philadelphia Eagles and the Miami Dolphins.
And while the play of the team – and, more specifically, the offense – has significantly gone down in quality since the start of the season, the loss on Sunday was yet another time the Patriots failed to deliver in any sort of clutch.
Down by three points with under four minutes left to play, backup quarterback Bailey Zappe was tasked with leading the Patriots downfield to get into field goal range.
And he did just that, completing a number of passes to put New England in the range to kick a 35-yard field goal to continue the game. But rookie kicker Chad Ryland pulled the kick to the left of the uprights.
Chad Ryland masterclass.pic.twitter.com/ouUDrCR9m8
— Patriots LATAM (2-9) (@patriotslatam) November 27, 2023
The game represented an overall season-long trend for the Patriots. While doing a few things well, they do so many more incredibly poorly. And all while providing the false hope of a comeback.
2
The leash for Mac Jones remains long
Mac Jones led New England in passing yards on Sunday with 89 yards on 12 completions. He also threw two interceptions, neither of which were in very close proximity to their intended receiver, and lost a fumble on a rush.
But he was given the entire first half of play to do so. Despite poor play from almost the very outset – with one of his interceptions coming on just the third play of the Patriots’ third drive – Jones was able to remain in the game and make the same mistakes again, and again and again.
And such was the case as the third-year quarterback tried to step up in the pocket and extend a play on this pass near the end of the second quarter.
CLUTCH INTERCEPTION THROWN BY MAC JONES TO BOBBY OKEREKE!!!
PATS WERE IN FIELD GOAL RANGE BUT MAC MAKES A BIG PLAY!!!!
pic.twitter.com/DiIj4JKK0l— Boston Sports Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) November 26, 2023
It took until halftime for the coaching staff to see enough to pull Jones for Zappe. And in that half, Jones averaged a measly 4.2 yards per completion and could only muster a 27.8 passer rating. And his performance mustered a fair number of jabs on social media.
.@Patriots pic.twitter.com/MNq5aosEbl
— Jon Bois (@jon_bois) November 26, 2023
Zappe did excel after halftime on his first drive of the game, leading the team on a 60-yard touchdown drive (aided in no small part by the kickoff rolling out of bounds) that ended in a seven-yard Rhamondre Stevenson touchdown run. Unfortunately, it was not as smooth sailing from then on out.
All in all, the second-year backup completed nine passes for 54 yards and an interception while mustering up a 42.0 passer rating of his own.
While Zappe’s play has not proven to be better than Jones’ in any notable way, it has produced more positive results.
But Jones’ leash with the coaching staff seems to remain very long, and barring a drastic improvement, Zappe’s play alone may not be enough to knock the former first-round pick out of the starting role.
3
The defense can only do so much
While the Patriots didn’t have a standout performer on defense on Sunday, likely the result of forcing the Giants to punt a whopping eight times, they did limit their opponent to just 10 points. No matter what NFL team you are facing, that kind of defensive effort is a fantastic feat, but ultimately one that went unrecognized on Sunday.
New England’s defense got to work early, with safety Jabrill Peppers recovering a fumble after New York’s offense marched downfield on their first drive of the game.
While Peppers did not play a significant role in forcing the turnover – the fumble occurred as the result of a botched end-around handoff between quarterback Tommy DeVito and wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson – it did set the stage early for a very solid Patriots defensive performance.
Jabrill Peppers jumps on the ball to recover the fumble 💯pic.twitter.com/HTFMjUNPPD
— Patriots Nation (@PatsNationCP) November 26, 2023
All in all, New England’s defense sacked DeVito six times and limited the Giants’ offense to just one touchdown on the day. In a game where their offense desperately needed the unit to show up for it, the defense did just that. But even that was not enough for the Patriots to pull out the victory.
4
The run game is as strong as ever
While New England’s offensive coaching staff was figuring out what to do with Jones, their running back duo was out continuing their recent stretch of dominance on the field.
Stevenson, along with fellow back Ezekiel Elliott, dominated the ground game all game long against a weak Giants defensive line.
Elliott received nine carries, and bursting with speed, he recorded 46 yards on the ground while adding six yards on two receptions through the air. Stevenson also made efficient use of his 21 carries, rumbling on the ground to the tune of 98 rushing yards as well as this touchdown right after halftime.
🎥 Touchdown Patriots
🏈 Rhamondre Stevenson #ForeverNE #NEvsNYG pic.twitter.com/VfjDRIoMS1
— Boston Strong Brasil (@BostonStrongBR) November 26, 2023
Although the team cannot seem to find a competent player for the quarterback position, its running backs have been able to maintain at least some form of offensive standard this season, and actually churn out a few explosive plays in the offense.
But against a more formidable defensive front, the run game may not be as appealing as it was on Sunday.
5
The downward spiral continues
The loss officially moved New England ahead of the Giants for the number three overall draft selection in the 2024 NFL draft.
With a plethora of quarterbacks looking to make the jump to the pro league, as well as the team’s current deficiency at the position, the Patriots will undoubtedly be scouting their quarterback options heading into the April event.
But there is still a back half of a season left to play, one that will likely bring even more suffering to the Patriots’ faithful.
It is clear at this point that Jones is not the long-term answer at quarterback. While Zappe is not much of an upgrade, he at least brings a different feeling to the position.
And with the team surely seeking out active replacements at that position, whatever competition between the two players for the starting role has now been relegated to which one will be the backup next season.
