Sunday wasn’t a stepping stone; it left Patriot followers stranded for hope

COMMENTARY

You may argue that if a factor or two went the opposite manner in opposition to Philadelphia, Miami, or Las Vegas, this 2-5 Patriots workforce may be 4-3 and inside placing distance of first place within the AFC East, all with a showdown in Miami scheduled for Sunday. 

Dallas and New Orleans? Hey, even the ’03 workforce had Buffalo. Even the ’07 workforce had an ill-timed blemish on its report if I recall. 

You then begin enthusiastic about how the 2018 Colts and 2015 Chiefs each began 1-5 solely to make the playoffs, the latter of whom gained a wild card recreation at Houston earlier than shedding to New England within the divisional spherical. After the best way Sunday ended, it’s straightforward to start out getting delusions of grandeur with the slightest indication that the Patriots belonged on the soccer subject with a worthy opponent. Regardless of their struggles this season, the Payments are not less than that. 

Both manner, Sunday’s 29-25 win over Buffalo ought to function a satisfying second on this in any other case misplaced season for the Patriots. For the primary time all yr, the offensive line performed like a gaggle of competent professionals, giving Mac Jones the time he wanted not solely to soar to a 25-for-30 day, however to assist him produce the game-winning landing drive that his otherwise-uninspired resume was nonetheless sorely missing. Invoice Belichick earned his three hundredth profession win, which tied in properly on a day when the Patriots group (as soon as once more) celebrated its previous by inducting Mike Vrabel into the workforce’s corridor of fame. And, if you happen to’re into this kind of factor, the group didn’t even actually damage its 2024 draft place all that a lot with the Bears and Broncos each becoming a member of the win column over the weekend as properly. 

Combine within the Chamber of Commerce fall day within the Foxborough space, and it was a reasonably damned good day, general, to be a fan of the New England Patriots.

So, what’s with the vacancy? 

There are two methods to understand what occurred Sunday at Gillette; both because the stepping stone recreation we’ve been hoping this workforce was able to, or a preview of the purgatory that’s to return. Perhaps the workforce will begin sniffing .500 and who is aware of, the best way the NFL palms out playoff spots nowadays, it’s not out of the realm of risk. 

That is additionally nonetheless the identical workforce that was embarrassed by the hands of the Cowboys and Saints simply weeks in the past. Even within the win over Buffalo, the Patriots escaped with a handful of ignored penalties and errors that might have swayed the sport. Gamers bailed one another out on Sunday, however this unit hasn’t miraculously reworked into the ’85 Bears. 

What’s extra probably is that the mediocrity we’ve watched over the previous few seasons with this offense is beginning to gel, primarily as a result of offensive coordinator Invoice O’Brien dumbed the playbook down sufficient in order that Uncle Alabama Rico can higher react behind a patchwork offensive line. Penalties and turnovers will meet up with them, they usually’ll most likely lose in Miami on Sunday. Then, they’ll handle to beat the Commanders, and instantly — possibly — they’ll flip into that 8-9-win workforce you pegged them as again in August. After Sunday, the remaining schedule doesn’t look all that intimidating, does it? I feel I’ve seen this film earlier than. 

Simply whenever you had been getting used to the concept of cleansing home. 

On that, you would possibly wish to sit tight. Invoice Belichick isn’t going wherever. Mac Jones isn’t going wherever, significantly if he performs like he did on Sunday extra typically. He’ll be a cut price, which is one thing the Patriots love greater than something. Would possibly I remind you, the love affair this area has with Tom Brady is a product of Brady being prepared to play ball, financially, with the Krafts. If the quarterback had demanded what he was price, he would have gained much more than one among his Tremendous Bowl titles elsewhere. Thus, the Patriot Method was born.