The Patriots came up short again this Sunday with a 10-7 loss to the New York Giants. The game came down to a last-second 35-yard field goal from rookie Chad Ryland which was barely shanked wide right sealing their fate. The Patriots now fall to 2-9 on the year and own a 4-game losing streak which is tied for the longest-active streak in the NFL.
The game as a whole was a drag-out boring affair between two of the worst offenses in the league. The Patriots committed 3 of the games 4 turnovers from 2 Mac Jones-interceptions and another from Bailey Zappe. A total of 503 yards were earned from both teams and only two touchdowns from Rhamondre Stevenson and Isaiah Hodgins were scored.
The Pats would once again use both Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe in this game, with Jones being benched after halftime. The two QBs would combine for 21/35 completed passes for 136 yards and 3 interceptions. Afterward Coach Bill Belichick would walk out of an interview mid-question when asked repeatedly about his Quarterbacks. Yesterdays numbers now have the quarterbacks season statlines at: (Jones) - 65.9comp%, 2120 yards, 10 TDs and 12 INTs on 635 snaps and (Zappe) - 48.7 comp%, 158 yards, 0 TDs and 2 INTs on 71 snaps. There is no doubt Jones is the better of the two but he is still far from a "franchise starter" kind of guy.
The defense played the best game of their recent stretch with only 7 points allowed and 220 yards including holding Saquon Barkley to 46 yards on the ground. They also got 6 sacks, 7 QB hits and 7 TFLs, with Anfernee Jennings emerging as a potential stud getting after Giants QB Tommy DeVito all night. Christian Barmore also had another great game from the DT spot stating his case as the most consistent Patriot this season. Another notable defender is Myles Bryant who has further cemented his CB#1 role with 2 TFLs and a pass deflection.
The Patriots still hold the #3 draft pick position with their 2-9 record with a tough part of their schedule about to start with games against the Chargers, Steelers, Chiefs, Broncos and Bills coming up before their season-ender against the Jets. At this point, even though it is impossible to believe Belichick could tank, (especially with Belichick's departure being heavily rumored after the season) it would be in the team's best interest to plan for as high of a draft pick as possible. With Caleb Williams and Drake Maye being potentially Top-2 picks, the Patriots should be aiming to make one of them a Patriot by next season.
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Stay tuned as we continue coverage of the New England Patriots and the 2023-24 NFL season.
-Z.D.
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