Sense of Impending ‘Doom’ Envelops Patriots After Week 9 Loss

The New England Patriots are currently facing an overwhelming sense of dread. With a 2-7 record, their chances of making it to the postseason seem highly unlikely. To salvage their season, they would need to win the remaining eight games, or at least finish with a winning record by going 7-1. However, the situation is far from humorous.

Historically, November and December were the months when the Patriots would shine. However, recent years have shown a decline in their performance during this period. Statistical projections indicate that the team is headed for a third postseason absence in four seasons.

In March of 2022, team owner Robert Kraft expressed his dissatisfaction with the lack of playoff wins in recent years, stating, “It bothers me that we haven’t been able to win a playoff game in the last three years.” This statement sounds almost comical in the current situation.

Head coach Bill Belichick, once revered for his coaching prowess, has seen his once-mighty Patriots crumble to dust. The team’s current performance is even worse than last season, with multiple contenders for the title of “worst game of the year.” Whether it be the 38-3 loss to the Cowboys, the 34-0 defeat against the Saints, the 21-17 setback versus the Raiders, or the 20-17 disappointment against the Commanders, it is clear that things are not going well.

It’s ironic that Belichick, whose nickname was “Doom” during his time with the 1980s Giants, now finds himself surrounded by this feeling of impending doom once again, 40 years later.

The team’s players are simply not performing at a high enough level. The offense is abysmal and difficult to watch. Even the first-round quarterback has shown regression. The backup situation behind Mac Jones is a disorganized mess. Additionally, the free agent signings, including JuJu Smith-Schuster, Riley Reiff, and Calvin Anderson, have been nothing short of disastrous. The trades for DeVante Parker and J.C. Jackson have also proven to be disappointments. To make matters worse, the second-round wideout from 2022, Tyquan Thornton, seemed more focused on performing a dance routine than playing football during a third-down route. Meanwhile, former Patriot Jakobi Meyers is thriving with the Raiders.

Speaking of the Raiders, they recently defeated Brian Daboll’s Giants by a score of 30-6. It’s worth noting that the Giants are the only team in the league with fewer points scored than the Patriots. The change in dynamics within a team can clearly have a significant impact on their performance.

On Sunday, the Patriots suffered a loss against a Commanders team that had essentially given up on the season, trading away two of its best defenders for draft picks. Speculation was rampant last week about the possibility of the Commanders trading for Belichick. However, after witnessing the Patriots’ performance, it’s unlikely that Washington owner Josh Harris sees Belichick as the solution to his team’s problems.

The Patriots managed to stay in the game until the end by capitalizing on a fumble and a 64-yard run. However, they struggled to sustain drives, with eight out of eleven drives consisting of five plays or fewer. The few longer drives they had resulted in a turnover on downs, a field goal, and a game-ending interception.

In nine games, the Patriots have only scored over 20 points once. The team seems to be plagued by grumbling and dysfunction, while Jones, the quarterback, is not going down without expressing his frustrations passively-aggressively. When asked about tight windows and explosive plays, Jones initially mentioned that there are no excuses. However, he quickly changed his tone, finally stating, “That’s a good question.” This response does not necessarily align with what one would expect from a great leader. Perhaps Jones has reached a point where he simply doesn’t care anymore. Realizing that he will never be fully embraced by Patriots fans, he may have decided to speak his mind.

Unfortunately, it appears that Jones’ time as a Patriot is coming to an end as well. While he does deserve some blame for the mistakes he has made this season, including trying to force plays and his inconsistent throwing speed, it’s hard to ignore the number of times his passes have hit receivers in the hands, only to be dropped.

Looking ahead, the Patriots will have a top 10 draft pick and $100 million in salary cap space during the offseason. They will also have a pressing need to find a new quarterback. With the season ending on January 7, ownership needs to start making decisions about the team’s direction for the rest of the decade.

In the immediate future, the Patriots will be traveling to Germany, hoping to put on a positive face in Frankfurt. These international trips used to be opportunities for the team to expand its brand and gain favor with fans abroad. However, this time, it’s unlikely to be a successful endeavor. The Patriots are set to face the Indianapolis Colts, a team that has consistently scored more than 20 points in each game this season. The Colts are currently favored to win.

A loss in Europe would result in a 2-8 record and a disheartening flight home during the bye week. After the bye, the Patriots will visit the Giants, a team that marks the birthplace of the feeling of ‘doom’ for the Patriots.