Patriots 2022 Season

[MarcusSmartFanClub]

I went from feeling pretty good about the Pats to feeling pretty bad about the Pats.  Mac Jones has not been good all season.  That is a problem.  Probably not the only problem, but a problem.  Zappe is probably not the answer or the solution.

Mac Jones was much better last season, that is obvious.  I would not give up on Mac Jones, but there is plenty of reason to be concerned based on what he has done this season.

As far as the team overall, it is still hard to know.  Is this just one bad game or is this the real Pats.  How can they give up 33 points to the Bears? The defense was supposed to be the strength, it had been a strength for most of the season.  We do have trouble with running QBs, that is for sure.  But if we can't stop the Bears on 3rd down, how can we expect to stop anyone?

because the Pats offense is terrible.  So after the Pats scored the 2nd TD, they had the following drives

3 plays, 10 yards - fumble - 22 seconds
3 plays, -4 yards - punt - 1 minute, 30 seconds
3 plays, 8 yards - punt - 1 minute, 49 seconds
8 plays, 28 yards - interception - 4 minutes, 23 seconds
7 plays, 36 yards - interception - 1 minute, 53 seconds
 
In total for the game, the Patriots had the ball for 22 minutes, 46 seconds with just 260 total yards. 

The Patriots defense just got worn down, which is why the Bears could run the ball so well in the second half.  The Bears only had 2 drives of more than 46 yards.  It wasn't like they were going up and down the field, they weren't.  The Patriots held firm defensively pretty well, the Bears just had short fields and dominated the time of possession, because the Patriots offense is so bad.  The offense is so bad for both roster and coaching.  It is a poor roster with bad coaching.  Not a recipe for success, but it is also why I've been saying the last several weeks that the Patriots are a 6 win team.  They just don't have the offensive firepower needed to keep up with the teams on the back half of their schedule.  They are going to get blown out, a lot, and it has very little to do with the defense.  The offense is just bad.

You said 6 wins at best. Meaning their potential. Let’s be accurate- it was and is a bad take, which is OK. Doubling down on bad takes doesn’t make them good takes.

[Moranis]

I went from feeling pretty good about the Pats to feeling pretty bad about the Pats.  Mac Jones has not been good all season.  That is a problem.  Probably not the only problem, but a problem.  Zappe is probably not the answer or the solution.

Mac Jones was much better last season, that is obvious.  I would not give up on Mac Jones, but there is plenty of reason to be concerned based on what he has done this season.

As far as the team overall, it is still hard to know.  Is this just one bad game or is this the real Pats.  How can they give up 33 points to the Bears? The defense was supposed to be the strength, it had been a strength for most of the season.  We do have trouble with running QBs, that is for sure.  But if we can't stop the Bears on 3rd down, how can we expect to stop anyone?

because the Pats offense is terrible.  So after the Pats scored the 2nd TD, they had the following drives

3 plays, 10 yards - fumble - 22 seconds
3 plays, -4 yards - punt - 1 minute, 30 seconds
3 plays, 8 yards - punt - 1 minute, 49 seconds
8 plays, 28 yards - interception - 4 minutes, 23 seconds
7 plays, 36 yards - interception - 1 minute, 53 seconds
 
In total for the game, the Patriots had the ball for 22 minutes, 46 seconds with just 260 total yards. 

The Patriots defense just got worn down, which is why the Bears could run the ball so well in the second half.  The Bears only had 2 drives of more than 46 yards.  It wasn't like they were going up and down the field, they weren't.  The Patriots held firm defensively pretty well, the Bears just had short fields and dominated the time of possession, because the Patriots offense is so bad.  The offense is so bad for both roster and coaching.  It is a poor roster with bad coaching.  Not a recipe for success, but it is also why I've been saying the last several weeks that the Patriots are a 6 win team.  They just don't have the offensive firepower needed to keep up with the teams on the back half of their schedule.  They are going to get blown out, a lot, and it has very little to do with the defense.  The offense is just bad.

You are not wrong, all fair points, but the defense was not good.  Players were getting wide open on 3rd and longs.  The Bears did run on them the whole game, right from the start.  They did not contain the QB scrambles.  The offense was bad too.  That didn't help.  Field position was an issue, what were they doing on those kick offs?  They stared inside the 20 a few times after kick offs.  So all of the above, absolutely.

But the Pat's defense did not "hold firm pretty well" even accounting for the bad offense.  If that is the best they can do, they are going to get absolutely torched by some of the better teams they have coming up.

They held them to 4 FG's on drives that were like 30 yards.  Heck even the 2nd half TD was a 39 yard drive.  There is only so much a defense can do when they are on the field for 2/3 of the game with short fields. 

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

I went from feeling pretty good about the Pats to feeling pretty bad about the Pats.  Mac Jones has not been good all season.  That is a problem.  Probably not the only problem, but a problem.  Zappe is probably not the answer or the solution.

Mac Jones was much better last season, that is obvious.  I would not give up on Mac Jones, but there is plenty of reason to be concerned based on what he has done this season.

As far as the team overall, it is still hard to know.  Is this just one bad game or is this the real Pats.  How can they give up 33 points to the Bears? The defense was supposed to be the strength, it had been a strength for most of the season.  We do have trouble with running QBs, that is for sure.  But if we can't stop the Bears on 3rd down, how can we expect to stop anyone?

because the Pats offense is terrible.  So after the Pats scored the 2nd TD, they had the following drives

3 plays, 10 yards - fumble - 22 seconds
3 plays, -4 yards - punt - 1 minute, 30 seconds
3 plays, 8 yards - punt - 1 minute, 49 seconds
8 plays, 28 yards - interception - 4 minutes, 23 seconds
7 plays, 36 yards - interception - 1 minute, 53 seconds
 
In total for the game, the Patriots had the ball for 22 minutes, 46 seconds with just 260 total yards. 

The Patriots defense just got worn down, which is why the Bears could run the ball so well in the second half.  The Bears only had 2 drives of more than 46 yards.  It wasn't like they were going up and down the field, they weren't.  The Patriots held firm defensively pretty well, the Bears just had short fields and dominated the time of possession, because the Patriots offense is so bad.  The offense is so bad for both roster and coaching.  It is a poor roster with bad coaching.  Not a recipe for success, but it is also why I've been saying the last several weeks that the Patriots are a 6 win team.  They just don't have the offensive firepower needed to keep up with the teams on the back half of their schedule.  They are going to get blown out, a lot, and it has very little to do with the defense.  The offense is just bad.

You are not wrong, all fair points, but the defense was not good.  Players were getting wide open on 3rd and longs.  The Bears did run on them the whole game, right from the start.  They did not contain the QB scrambles.  The offense was bad too.  That didn't help.  Field position was an issue, what were they doing on those kick offs?  They stared inside the 20 a few times after kick offs.  So all of the above, absolutely.

But the Pat's defense did not "hold firm pretty well" even accounting for the bad offense.  If that is the best they can do, they are going to get absolutely torched by some of the better teams they have coming up.

Yeah, the defense was getting roasted right from the beginning of the game. IIRC, Fields had a completion of 20+ yards on each of Chicago's first two possessions, and that's a QB who hadn't even thrown the ball much before last night. And New England really struggled on third-down defense—again, right from the beginning of the game.

Before last night's game, some people were comparing this year's Bears offense to what was seen in pro football a full 100 years ago—in other words, it was pretty ugly offense. And the proof was in the pudding: Chicago was averaging a measly 15.5 points a game before last night's outburst, when they suddenly looked like a top-of-the-league offense.

[Moranis]

I went from feeling pretty good about the Pats to feeling pretty bad about the Pats.  Mac Jones has not been good all season.  That is a problem.  Probably not the only problem, but a problem.  Zappe is probably not the answer or the solution.

Mac Jones was much better last season, that is obvious.  I would not give up on Mac Jones, but there is plenty of reason to be concerned based on what he has done this season.

As far as the team overall, it is still hard to know.  Is this just one bad game or is this the real Pats.  How can they give up 33 points to the Bears? The defense was supposed to be the strength, it had been a strength for most of the season.  We do have trouble with running QBs, that is for sure.  But if we can't stop the Bears on 3rd down, how can we expect to stop anyone?

because the Pats offense is terrible.  So after the Pats scored the 2nd TD, they had the following drives

3 plays, 10 yards - fumble - 22 seconds
3 plays, -4 yards - punt - 1 minute, 30 seconds
3 plays, 8 yards - punt - 1 minute, 49 seconds
8 plays, 28 yards - interception - 4 minutes, 23 seconds
7 plays, 36 yards - interception - 1 minute, 53 seconds
 
In total for the game, the Patriots had the ball for 22 minutes, 46 seconds with just 260 total yards. 

The Patriots defense just got worn down, which is why the Bears could run the ball so well in the second half.  The Bears only had 2 drives of more than 46 yards.  It wasn't like they were going up and down the field, they weren't.  The Patriots held firm defensively pretty well, the Bears just had short fields and dominated the time of possession, because the Patriots offense is so bad.  The offense is so bad for both roster and coaching.  It is a poor roster with bad coaching.  Not a recipe for success, but it is also why I've been saying the last several weeks that the Patriots are a 6 win team.  They just don't have the offensive firepower needed to keep up with the teams on the back half of their schedule.  They are going to get blown out, a lot, and it has very little to do with the defense.  The offense is just bad.

You said 6 wins at best. Meaning their potential. Let’s be accurate- it was and is a bad take, which is OK. Doubling down on bad takes doesn’t make them good takes.

A 6 win team, does in fact win 6 games, which you know is the same for a 6 win team at best, i.e. winning 6 games.  This seems like a weird grammatical position to take, especially since it is clear I thought they'd win 6 games.  I thought they'd be 3-4 at this point of the season as well, though I had anticipated them losing to Cleveland and beating Chicago.  I think they will split with the Jets (though that is less certain now) and would win 1 of the games against the Colts, Cardinals, or Raiders. 

The Patriots offense is just bad.  It has been apparent all season it is bad.  The RB's are fine, but unspectacular.  They can't change a game.  The WR's and TE's are collectively the worst group in the sport (or at least in the bottom 3).  The OL is ok and even when healthy the Pats have a bottom third QB.  The offense is just bad and the offense can't be bad against the schedule they have upcoming. 

[celticsclay]

I went from feeling pretty good about the Pats to feeling pretty bad about the Pats.  Mac Jones has not been good all season.  That is a problem.  Probably not the only problem, but a problem.  Zappe is probably not the answer or the solution.

Mac Jones was much better last season, that is obvious.  I would not give up on Mac Jones, but there is plenty of reason to be concerned based on what he has done this season.

As far as the team overall, it is still hard to know.  Is this just one bad game or is this the real Pats.  How can they give up 33 points to the Bears? The defense was supposed to be the strength, it had been a strength for most of the season.  We do have trouble with running QBs, that is for sure.  But if we can't stop the Bears on 3rd down, how can we expect to stop anyone?

because the Pats offense is terrible.  So after the Pats scored the 2nd TD, they had the following drives

3 plays, 10 yards - fumble - 22 seconds
3 plays, -4 yards - punt - 1 minute, 30 seconds
3 plays, 8 yards - punt - 1 minute, 49 seconds
8 plays, 28 yards - interception - 4 minutes, 23 seconds
7 plays, 36 yards - interception - 1 minute, 53 seconds
 
In total for the game, the Patriots had the ball for 22 minutes, 46 seconds with just 260 total yards. 

The Patriots defense just got worn down, which is why the Bears could run the ball so well in the second half.  The Bears only had 2 drives of more than 46 yards.  It wasn't like they were going up and down the field, they weren't.  The Patriots held firm defensively pretty well, the Bears just had short fields and dominated the time of possession, because the Patriots offense is so bad.  The offense is so bad for both roster and coaching.  It is a poor roster with bad coaching.  Not a recipe for success, but it is also why I've been saying the last several weeks that the Patriots are a 6 win team.  They just don't have the offensive firepower needed to keep up with the teams on the back half of their schedule.  They are going to get blown out, a lot, and it has very little to do with the defense.  The offense is just bad.

You said 6 wins at best. Meaning their potential. Let’s be accurate- it was and is a bad take, which is OK. Doubling down on bad takes doesn’t make them good takes.

A 6 win team, does in fact win 6 games, which you know is the same for a 6 win team at best, i.e. winning 6 games.  This seems like a weird grammatical position to take, especially since it is clear I thought they'd win 6 games.  I thought they'd be 3-4 at this point of the season as well, though I had anticipated them losing to Cleveland and beating Chicago.  I think they will split with the Jets (though that is less certain now) and would win 1 of the games against the Colts, Cardinals, or Raiders. 

The Patriots offense is just bad.  It has been apparent all season it is bad.  The RB's are fine, but unspectacular.  They can't change a game.  The WR's and TE's are collectively the worst group in the sport (or at least in the bottom 3).  The OL is ok and even when healthy the Pats have a bottom third QB.  The offense is just bad and the offense can't be bad against the schedule they have upcoming.

You were real quiet when they beat Cleveland, a game you said they would lose. Now we are back to reading this drivel non stop cause they lost a game. Absolutely insufferable. If you are gonna take your victory laps take your lumps when you are wrong.

[MarcusSmartFanClub]

Moranis’ posts would be brutal if they were measured and intellectually honest. Instead, they provide joy. It’s almost like Bart Scott is typing.

[Goldstar88]

People are complaining about Mac’s ego and psyche. I just don’t care. I think Zappe may be better, and most likely, neither are the long term answer. Are Cowboys fans bummed that Cooper Rush isn’t being treated like royalty?

I like Mac, but he’s not that good. He doesn’t deserve royal treatment.

Funny, I don’t recall seeing posts like this last year when Mac had 22TD’s and threw for almost 4,000 yards, making the pro bowl. Looked pretty darn good as a rookie with McDaniels running the offense. Players are already losing faith in the coaching staff, but I guess some fans never will.

Speaking with reporters after the Patriots’ 33-14 loss to the Chicago Bears at Gillette Stadium, Meyers was asked whether he was surprised to see rookie Bailey Zappe replace Jones at quarterback early in the second quarter.

“Yeah,” New England’s No. 1 receiver replied. “But that’s the NFL for you. It’s a fast-changing business.”

“Not even as a football player, it’s tough as a man to see somebody who worked so hard get that kind of treatment,” he said. “But at the end of the day, we’re all trying to feed our families, so we’ve got to go out there and make plays for whoever’s throwing it.”

There is no doubt that Mac Jones was much better last season than so far this season.  It could be the McDaniels change is a factor but even with that, Mac Jones has not been as good.  So you are right, I was not complaining last season, but this is this season, I am worried about how Jones is playing.  I still start him next game for sure (assuming the ankle is fine).  It is tough to play looking over your shoulder though.  Although he wasn't good at the start of the season when he wasn't looking over his shoulder either.  He has gone from maybe too comfortable to now just the opposite.

I understand it isn't easy but he needs to find the mental toughness to deal with this.  Get through it.  Get his mojo back.  Find the groove.  Don't try to do too much, don't play scared either.  Just play.  I don't know if he has it or not.  This is a chance for him to prove ti.

Again, no mention of the coaching staff. Pats were terrible in all 3 phases of the game yesterday. A QB controversy was created by the coaching staff. This is essentially the same team the Pats had last year that went 11-7 and you’d never know it by how they look.

[MarcusSmartFanClub]

Why is a QB controversy bad? I think it can help to motivate two young men to study as much as possible. Eat/drink/sleep football. This is what the great ones like Brady and Manning did.

[Moranis]

Moranis’ posts would be brutal if they were measured and intellectually honest. Instead, they provide joy. It’s almost like Bart Scott is typing.

there is nothing dishonest in my posting.  the Patriots are a bad football team.  You watch the games you can see that.  They are poorly coached and have a bad roster (on the whole). 

[MarcusSmartFanClub]

Moranis’ posts would be brutal if they were measured and intellectually honest. Instead, they provide joy. It’s almost like Bart Scott is typing.

there is nothing dishonest in my posting.  the Patriots are a bad football team.  You watch the games you can see that.  They are poorly coached and have a bad roster (on the whole).

I disagree. I think they’re not talented but coached well overall. They are clearly rebuilding with average at best players. Bill the GM has been underrated over the last two years, and I can see things that I like.

Last night they were poorly coached. This isn’t true overall. I think you know that. I also think you’re sitting behind a computer getting jollies over stating things that are clearly not true to get an emotional reaction. That is what I’m saying is not honest.

You’ve stated “6 wins at most”, “Bill is a bad GM”, and “poorly coached” on a site where many people follow the Patriots because they’re from Boston and/or New England. Of course you’re going to get called out for trolling.

[celticsclay]

Moranis’ posts would be brutal if they were measured and intellectually honest. Instead, they provide joy. It’s almost like Bart Scott is typing.

Lol well said. Bart scott is a throwback.

[celticsclay]

Moranis’ posts would be brutal if they were measured and intellectually honest. Instead, they provide joy. It’s almost like Bart Scott is typing.

there is nothing dishonest in my posting.  the Patriots are a bad football team.  You watch the games you can see that.  They are poorly coached and have a bad roster (on the whole).

I disagree. I think they’re not talented but coached well overall. They are clearly rebuilding with average at best players. Bill the GM has been underrated over the last two years, and I can see things that I like.

Last night they were poorly coached. This isn’t true overall. I think you know that. I also think you’re sitting behind a computer getting jollies over stating things that are clearly not true to get an emotional reaction. That is what I’m saying is not honest.

You’ve stated “6 wins at most”, “Bill is a bad GM”, and “poorly coached” on a site where many people follow the Patriots because they’re from Boston and/or New England. Of course you’re going to get called out for trolling.

The absence of his commentary when the patriots win some games in impressive fashion also makes the hooting and hollering after a disappointing loss pretty transparent.

[Vermont Green]

People are complaining about Mac’s ego and psyche. I just don’t care. I think Zappe may be better, and most likely, neither are the long term answer. Are Cowboys fans bummed that Cooper Rush isn’t being treated like royalty?

I like Mac, but he’s not that good. He doesn’t deserve royal treatment.

Funny, I don’t recall seeing posts like this last year when Mac had 22TD’s and threw for almost 4,000 yards, making the pro bowl. Looked pretty darn good as a rookie with McDaniels running the offense. Players are already losing faith in the coaching staff, but I guess some fans never will.

Speaking with reporters after the Patriots’ 33-14 loss to the Chicago Bears at Gillette Stadium, Meyers was asked whether he was surprised to see rookie Bailey Zappe replace Jones at quarterback early in the second quarter.

“Yeah,” New England’s No. 1 receiver replied. “But that’s the NFL for you. It’s a fast-changing business.”

“Not even as a football player, it’s tough as a man to see somebody who worked so hard get that kind of treatment,” he said. “But at the end of the day, we’re all trying to feed our families, so we’ve got to go out there and make plays for whoever’s throwing it.”

There is no doubt that Mac Jones was much better last season than so far this season.  It could be the McDaniels change is a factor but even with that, Mac Jones has not been as good.  So you are right, I was not complaining last season, but this is this season, I am worried about how Jones is playing.  I still start him next game for sure (assuming the ankle is fine).  It is tough to play looking over your shoulder though.  Although he wasn't good at the start of the season when he wasn't looking over his shoulder either.  He has gone from maybe too comfortable to now just the opposite.

I understand it isn't easy but he needs to find the mental toughness to deal with this.  Get through it.  Get his mojo back.  Find the groove.  Don't try to do too much, don't play scared either.  Just play.  I don't know if he has it or not.  This is a chance for him to prove ti.

Again, no mention of the coaching staff. Pats were terrible in all 3 phases of the game yesterday. A QB controversy was created by the coaching staff. This is essentially the same team the Pats had last year that went 11-7 and you’d never know it by how they look.

Not sure I follow.  I did specifically mention McDaniels leaving.  Are you saying it was bad coaching that led to Mac Jones throwing that lame duck pass into triple coverage?  Both things can be true.  Jones is not playing as well as last season.  He is not making the reads.  He is not as accurate.  The coaching or play calling or preparation or whatever is probably worse than last year too.  I don't see that directly on the field though so it is hard to judge.  I just see how Mac Jones is playing.  And that isn't so hard to judge.  He isn't playing as well as last season.

[Moranis]

Moranis’ posts would be brutal if they were measured and intellectually honest. Instead, they provide joy. It’s almost like Bart Scott is typing.

there is nothing dishonest in my posting.  the Patriots are a bad football team.  You watch the games you can see that.  They are poorly coached and have a bad roster (on the whole).

I disagree. I think they’re not talented but coached well overall. They are clearly rebuilding with average at best players. Bill the GM has been underrated over the last two years, and I can see things that I like.

Last night they were poorly coached. This isn’t true overall. I think you know that. I also think you’re sitting behind a computer getting jollies over stating things that are clearly not true to get an emotional reaction. That is what I’m saying is not honest.

You’ve stated “6 wins at most”, “Bill is a bad GM”, and “poorly coached” on a site where many people follow the Patriots because they’re from Boston and/or New England. Of course you’re going to get called out for trolling.

Except I'm not trolling and I'm not being dishonest.  As I've consistently stated Bill is an excellent defensive coach, but I don't think it is possible to be a NFL head coach, that coaches a position, and serves as the GM and do all 3 things well.  There just isn't enough time in the day to all of that, and everything ends up suffering as a result.  He has such a brilliant defensive mind that even if he doesn't give that his full attention to it he can still do it an an excellent level.  The roster though is bad and that is on Bill.  The offensive coaching has been atrocious this year, and as the head coach/GM who hires the offensive staff, Bill has to take the blame for that, even if he isn't the guys making the terrible coaching decisions in game.  At the end of the day, it is really hard to be a coach and a GM, and I just don't think anyone can do both well.  Brady certainly masked a lot of the roster issues the last few seasons he was in Boston, but I do think you are seeing the full result the last few years, where Bill is well below .500 without Brady, pre and post Brady.

[Goldstar88]

People are complaining about Mac’s ego and psyche. I just don’t care. I think Zappe may be better, and most likely, neither are the long term answer. Are Cowboys fans bummed that Cooper Rush isn’t being treated like royalty?

I like Mac, but he’s not that good. He doesn’t deserve royal treatment.

Funny, I don’t recall seeing posts like this last year when Mac had 22TD’s and threw for almost 4,000 yards, making the pro bowl. Looked pretty darn good as a rookie with McDaniels running the offense. Players are already losing faith in the coaching staff, but I guess some fans never will.

Speaking with reporters after the Patriots’ 33-14 loss to the Chicago Bears at Gillette Stadium, Meyers was asked whether he was surprised to see rookie Bailey Zappe replace Jones at quarterback early in the second quarter.

“Yeah,” New England’s No. 1 receiver replied. “But that’s the NFL for you. It’s a fast-changing business.”

“Not even as a football player, it’s tough as a man to see somebody who worked so hard get that kind of treatment,” he said. “But at the end of the day, we’re all trying to feed our families, so we’ve got to go out there and make plays for whoever’s throwing it.”

There is no doubt that Mac Jones was much better last season than so far this season.  It could be the McDaniels change is a factor but even with that, Mac Jones has not been as good.  So you are right, I was not complaining last season, but this is this season, I am worried about how Jones is playing.  I still start him next game for sure (assuming the ankle is fine).  It is tough to play looking over your shoulder though.  Although he wasn't good at the start of the season when he wasn't looking over his shoulder either.  He has gone from maybe too comfortable to now just the opposite.

I understand it isn't easy but he needs to find the mental toughness to deal with this.  Get through it.  Get his mojo back.  Find the groove.  Don't try to do too much, don't play scared either.  Just play.  I don't know if he has it or not.  This is a chance for him to prove ti.

Again, no mention of the coaching staff. Pats were terrible in all 3 phases of the game yesterday. A QB controversy was created by the coaching staff. This is essentially the same team the Pats had last year that went 11-7 and you’d never know it by how they look.

Not sure I follow.  I did specifically mention McDaniels leaving.  Are you saying it was bad coaching that led to Mac Jones throwing that lame duck pass into triple coverage?  Both things can be true.  Jones is not playing as well as last season.  He is not making the reads.  He is not as accurate.  The coaching or play calling or preparation or whatever is probably worse than last year too.  I don't see that directly on the field though so it is hard to judge.  I just see how Mac Jones is playing.  And that isn't so hard to judge.  He isn't playing as well as last season.

Yes, because Mac throwing the 1 Int early on in the 2nd Q was the reason for the Patriots losing that game…Had nothing to do with the NE being terrible not only on offense, but on defense and special teams all game. Zappe was not very good either. The current coaching staff is the biggest problem with this team. It amazes me how so many fans refuse to put any blame on Bill. Will be really interesting to see what Kraft does if this keeps up.