The Patriots continue to lose at a historic pace

New quarterback, same story, and the same result. Actually, the result was somehow even worse. Mac Jones has been a lightning rod for all the problems with the Patriots’ offense this year. Nobody could blame Jones for the Patriots putting up zero points against the worst defense in the league on a gloomy Sunday at a half empty (or is it half full?) Gillette Stadium.

The Patriots continue to set the standard for futility on a historical level. The Patriots lost to the Los Angeles Chargers, 6-0. You read that right – 6-0. This isn’t 1986. This isn’t Mike Ditka’s Chicago Bears against Bill Parcells’ New York Giants. This is the 2023 modern-day NFL where the offense is given every advantage possible. Pass defenders aren’t allowed to lay a finger on receivers without being called for defensive holding or pass interference. Pass rushers can’t tap a quarterback on the helmet without being called for a personal foul for a “blow” to the head. If a defender falls on a quarterback too hard, that’s fifteen yards and an automatic first down. Then there are facemasks, horse collars, and other random unsportsmanlike penalties that can advance the ball fifteen yards downfield and give the offense a new set of downs.

Somehow the Patriots managed to not only not score, but to not even penetrate the red zone once. Give New England’s defense credit, though. They didn’t allow Justin Herbert and the Chargers to get into the red zone either. The Chargers managed only 241 yards and 13 first downs.

This Patriots’ defense does not deserve to be associated with a 2-10 team. Despite losing their top two defensive players, Christian Gonzalez and Matthew Judon, in the fourth week of the season against the Dallas Cowboys, New England’s defense has continued to be stout and playing at a playoff level.

The Patriots have now lost their last three games by scores of 10-6, 10-7, and now 6-0. It is the first time in the Super Bowl era a team has lost three consecutive games while only allowing 10 or less points in each game. Overall, it hasn’t happened since 1938. My 89-year-old father would have been a toddler then. It’s hard for me to wrap my head around that.

The Patriots have now moved up to the second pick in the draft thanks to Arizona beating Pittsburgh, 24-10. They are now in position to get one of the top two quarterbacks in the draft, Caleb Williams or Drake May. Whether it is Williams or Maye, the offense will need more wholesale changes.