Let’s make one thing abundantly clear: Bill Belichick’s legacy is secure. Whenever he decides to hang up his headset, his cut-off hoodie, and stop grimacing at reporters’ basic questions like they just asked him the most offensive thing ever, he will be remembered as the greatest coach in NFL history. Bar none. He does not have to accomplish anything else. A resume with eight different Super Bowls (six with the New England Patriots) speaks for itself.
That race is over. Sorry, Vince Lombardi.
But as we watch Belichick’s modern Patriots bumble around to a 2-8 record this year, reality is really, really hard to ignore. It’s probably high time for the 71-year-old living legend to walk away from the game he so desperately loves. Because these Patriots are flat-out atrocious from top to bottom — imagine scoring six points against the Indianapolis Colts in an international showcase — and I’m not sure they will turn it around any time soon.
Seriously, as unbelievable as it might be, does this sound like a guy who has the answers? Not even close.
Bill Belichick on benching Mac Jones: "I just thought it was time for a change" pic.twitter.com/hXDZqxJMnC
— NBC Sports Boston's Patriots Coverage (@NBCSPatriots) November 12, 2023
I know the natural conclusion to Belichick continuing to coach is that he loves football more than anything. The man has partly established his legend by occasionally sharing random, enthusiastic diatribes about the nuances of special teams play. I’d go as far as to say that no one thinks about this beautiful, complicated, dangerous game as much as Belichick does. It’s why he’s so great and why he helped deliver the Patriots the greatest extended dynastic run in the sport’s history earlier this century.
But part of being great should be knowing when to walk away. I would’ve argued that the time to step down was when Tom Brady left New England — because that was the Patriots’ peak — but Belichick wanted another go at it. He wanted to make Mac Jones work (for a time, anyway) and continue winning with the running game and defense. Aside from a surprising 2021 campaign, that plan has blown up in Belichick’s face and in spectacular fashion.
The Patriots, who currently own one of the league’s worst records, will almost certainly be drafting a new quarterback (Caleb Williams? Drake Maye?) this April. An extended rebuild likely waits for one of pro football’s marquee franchises. Whoever is the architect of this product will probably have to rip out the studs and build from the ground up.
Does Belichick, in his early 70s, really want to run back this mess and try again? I have my doubts, and I’d worry about him if he did. He should be enjoying retirement, sailing around Nantucket, not worrying about seeing through the overhaul of an atrocious football team that needs a remodel everywhere.
There’s virtually zero chance the Patriots and owner Robert Kraft fire Belichick this offseason. He has done too much for the franchise to be publicly disrespected like that. The optics for an organization that has lost all of its goodwill from the Tom Brady era would be horrific in that scenario. But I would be shocked if we didn’t see a “mutual parting of ways” (a.k.a. Bill, we like you, but please go away). That is if Belichick doesn’t just retire outright.
Belichick is one of the finest minds and leaders football has ever seen. But that shouldn’t change his future. His Patriots head-coaching tenure should be referred to in the past tense soon.
Elsewhere in For The Win‘s Week 10 NFL awards, two old Ohio State pals enjoyed an awesome “sack reunion.” Meanwhile, Fox had an awesome way of reminding us a certain NFL quarterback is an astronaut.
Let’s dive in.
Worst (but appropriate!) reaction to a QB's struggles: Bill O'Brien, while ripping Mac Jones
Mac Jones was so awful on Sunday that he got benched in a 10-6 game late in the fourth quarter. In his third year as an NFL starter, it’s abundantly clear Jones isn’t part of New England’s future. Based on the way Bill O’Brien blasted the quarterback on the sideline, I’m not sure Jones throws another meaningful pass for the Patriots.
Bill O’Brien PISSED at Mac Jones pic.twitter.com/AclbRTblL7
— Michael Hurley (@michaelFhurley) November 12, 2023
Best second musical episode featuring John Denver: Frankfurt NFL fans signing his music ... again
If there’s one thing NFL fans on the Frankfurt Rhine-Main apparently love, it’s John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” For the second straight week, they sang the melody in beautiful unison as the Colts battled the Patriots:
This crowd in Germany has been so good even while watching a bad football game. pic.twitter.com/SA7juwQd2I
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) November 12, 2023
Best reaction capturing a team's sheer misery: Robert Kraft, who watched his Patriots sink into the quicksand
Robert Kraft spent the better part of two decades watching the Patriots set a gold standard for the NFL. Now that they’re one of pro football’s worst teams, the New England owner doesn’t know how to process their futility:
Third-down pass that probably should’ve been an end-zone interception from Mac Jones; owner Robert Kraft’s reaction. pic.twitter.com/chyckFw2oi
— Michael Hurley (@michaelFhurley) November 12, 2023
Worst attempt to save his team's dignity: Bailey Zappe, by throwing a pick after a fake spike
When the Patriots benched Mac Jones, they turned to Zappe to save their bacon. He wound up faking a spike (???) … and still throwing a brutal interception. A poetic summation of everywhere the woeful Patriots have fallen short in 2023:
FAKE SPIKE INTERCEPTION. #INDvsNE pic.twitter.com/wvW6l2ItDg
— NFL (@NFL) November 12, 2023
Best stop for directions: Josh Dobbs, after needing someone to tell him where the Vikings' locker room was
We’ve all been there. Sometimes you get lost and have to stop and ask for directions. (Well, in the pre-smartphone era.) This is kind of what happened to Joshua Dobbs, who literally needed someone to point out where the Minnesota Vikings’ locker room was before they took on the New Orleans Saints.
Unfortunately, locker room locations aren’t featured on supercomputers in our pockets:
Josh Dobbs didn't know where the Vikings home locker room was 😂😅 pic.twitter.com/UiC1mgC1FW
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 12, 2023
Best pick-six even the camera couldn't keep track of: Kyle Hamilton, by humbling Deshaun Watson
It was a rough one to start for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. On their second offensive snap of the game, Deshaun Watson threw a pick-six to the Baltimore Ravens’ Kyle Hamilton, who tipped the ball to himself for the score. Hamilton moved so fast that even the broadcast didn’t realize he had created an interception. Wild stuff, man:
KYLE HAMILTON WALKED IN THE PICK-6 🔥
📺: #CLEvsBAL on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/kECSNGc6Bj pic.twitter.com/TViHLRpp51— NFL (@NFL) November 12, 2023
Best reunion of college pals: Nick Bosa and Chase Young, who combined for a sack
Once upon a time, Nick Bosa and Chase Young were setting the line of scrimmage on fire together with the Ohio State Buckeyes. Years later, with Young joining the San Francisco 49ers in a trade, the duo teamed up again and collapsed the Jacksonville Jaguars’ pocket at the same exact time for a sack.
It’s wild to see a play like this and realize nothing has changed between two friends:
Chase Young & Nick Bosa meet at the QB and combine for a sack and turnover!
📺: #SFvsJAX on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/kECSNGc6Bj pic.twitter.com/tGUgdXM8t9— NFL (@NFL) November 12, 2023
Best graphic illustrating a background in space: Fox, by showing off cartoon Josh Dobbs
Hey, did you know Josh Dobbs is an astronaut who worked for NASA? Boy, do I have great news for you! As Dobbs helped the Vikings to a 27-19 win over the New Orleans Saints, Fox shared a delightfully weird graphic with a cartoon version of him riding a rocket to various cities around the United States.
I love this so much, dearest readers:
Ok, this Josh Dobbs graphic is great pic.twitter.com/Xrwb1je9Fc
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) November 12, 2023
Worst argument against a penalty: Trevor Lawrence, by trying to talk down a delay of game
It was a rough afternoon for Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars, to say the least. While getting pasted by the San Francisco 49ers, an unfortunate delay of game set the Jaguars back even further. A hot microphone would capture Lawrence’s futile defense of himself to a referee who had already made up his mind.
Better luck next time, pal:
Trevor Lawrence gets his say on a delay of game penalty called against the Jaguars.pic.twitter.com/yxMKiwNGNA
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 12, 2023
Worst news for a friend after a TD: Tyreek Hill, who had an important warning for Odell Beckham Jr.
Odell Beckham Jr. has been working through an active NFL comeback. Thus far, it hasn’t gone all that well, with the receiver having just 19 catches entering Sunday. But Beckham Jr. did score a long 40-yard touchdown against the Browns, prompting a peace sign as he crossed the goal line. Miami Dolphins star Tyreek Hill — the player most known for this celebration — caught wind of this and promptly warned Beckham Jr. about a fine coming his way.
Welp. At least Beckham Jr. scored!
Yeah they fining people for that buddy 😑 https://t.co/N9KzQWPKok
— Ty Hill (@cheetah) November 12, 2023
Worst directional awareness: Officials during Steelers-Packers, who erased a fumble for Green Bay
Charles Davis wasn’t happy. The CBS announcer thought Kenny Pickett threw an obvious backward pass that should’ve seen the Green Bay Packers capitalize with a new offensive possession, at minimum. Instead, even after a challenge, the referees let the Pittsburgh Steelers keep the ball.
While Gene Steratore meekly defended upholding the initial call, Davis had none of it. Good for him:
Charles Davis doesn't have as spirited an argument with Gene Steratore that Cris Collinsowrth had with Terry McAulay, but the CBS analyst let the former head official that he disagrees, "vehemently."
Steratore really taking a stand here: "To me, it was just not enough to… pic.twitter.com/HjfadUy9Ga
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 12, 2023
Worst drop in a clutch moment: Tyler Boyd, who literally let a Bengals' win go through his grasp
For most of the afternoon on Sunday, the Cincinnati Bengals had no answer for the rising Houston Texans. But then a furious fourth-quarter rally had Cincinnati in position for a bonkers comeback. Joe Burrow would find an open Boyd in the end zone in the final moments, only for him to bobble and drop the pass. Brutal.
When Cincinnati had to settle for a field goal — opening the door to an easy game-winning drive for C.J. Stroud — you just felt flat-out bad for Boyd:
A tough drop for Tyler Boyd and everyone with Bengals ML in their parlay 😬 pic.twitter.com/RTWwFZZQd4
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) November 12, 2023
Worst decision to keep a silly streak alive: Kyle Shanahan, by risking Christian McCaffrey's health
Christian McCaffrey had a remarkable 17-game touchdown streak going for the 49ers. That is now over, even though the 49ers destroyed the Jaguars 34-3. But while up 31 points, Kyle Shanahan gave McCaffrey not one, not two, not three, but FOUR touches from goal to go to try and extend the streak at the end of the game. It was completely unnecessary and reckless coaching by Shanahan.
Let’s just say the 49ers should count themselves lucky McCaffrey wasn’t hurt as injuries might be the only thing that holds this team back from the Super Bowl:
49ers trying to keep Christian McCaffrey's touchdown streak alive.
Going for it on 4th and goal up 31 points.
(Via: NFL, FOX)pic.twitter.com/PcQm6jYgcf
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) November 12, 2023
Worst performance in a litmus test for his team: Trevor Lawrence
Sunday’s clash with the 49ers should’ve been a coming-out party for the Jaguars. Instead, they got humiliated, with Lawrence delivering one of the worst games of his young career.
Here’s more from For The Win’s Christian D’Andrea:
Lawrence completed just three passes that traveled more than seven yards downfield, was sacked five times and averaged just 4.6 net yards per dropback while throwing a pair of interceptions.
Lawrence was pressured repeatedly and had little to offer in response. Adding Calvin Ridley to the lineup was supposed to provide support and a much-needed escape option in these situations. On Sunday, he had two catches on three targets; it marked the sixth time this season he’s had 40 receiving yards or fewer.
Best response to losing an awesome streak: Christian McCaffrey, by deferring to his 49ers teammates
Even if San Francisco needlessly risked McCaffrey’s health, it didn’t seem like he was much bothered by it. In reflection, the superstar actually appeared “upset” that seemingly every other vital 49er scored a touchdown except him.
Kudos to McCaffrey for the great sense of humor:
Christian McCaffrey on not getting the touchdown late in the fourth quarter to break the NFL record:
"Yeah, I suck. Everyone else on the team scored… Except for me."pic.twitter.com/Oa7VUvGLat
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) November 12, 2023
