Patriots Fall To Colts In Sobering Fashion

The New Egland Patriots had a long bye to prepare for the Colts, yet were shut out for the first three quarters. And still had the game in reach, as it was 20 to 07 shortly after the start of the fourth. The Patriots would make a game of it. That was until they allowed a costly run that sealed it. There was a somber post game but what the hell happened as the Patriots fall 27 to 17.

For starters two turnovers. It doesn't matter if it's a fumble or an interception, If you're turning it over you're going to pay for it eventually. Mac Jones had 2 interceptions. Compared to Wentz's 1. That's two extra drives the defense shouldn't of played and they lost the turnover battle.

Another area of concern is third down efficiency. The Patriots had 15, yes 15 third down opportunities. Yet the Patriots could only convert on 6 of them. I don't care that they were 1 for 3 on 4th down conversions. Their third down rate was unacceptable for a playoff team. 

The Patriots had 8 penalties. Again good teams don't make that many personal mistakes. That's 50 yards they gave to the Colts. Penalties were a problem in the preseason and early on. Penalties show a lack of discipline for the most part and that's not normal for a Belichick team but people have been bitching for him to change and saying he has changed since last year. Think about that when examining this team's flaws.

The Patriots gave up 226 yards on the ground. I don't care that 67 of them were on one play. It doesn't change anything. The Patriots weakness is their run defense. I like Christian Barmore, he might eventually be an Aaron Darnold light but he is not Vince Wolfork. Davon Godchaux is the closest thing the Patriots have to him. The Patriots run defense is their weak link. They might be able to stop a runner here or there but if teams keep hammering, they're gonna break thru eventually. Come the offseason, the Patriots definitely need to acquire run stopper before the 2022 season. The Colts ran the ball 39 times against the Patriots. That includes every time Wentz ran the ball.

And let's not get started on the offensive line. And I do not believe the answer is benching Wynn, instead get Onwenu to give him breaks as a swing for the rest of the year. Anyways Bills gotta do something with the line.

So what the hell happened Bill?

Bill Belichick, "Obviously we didn’t do anything well enough to win. We didn’t play well and we didn’t coach well. Too many penalties, fumbles, interceptions, over 200 yards rushing. We played from behind the whole game, so just nothing really good enough.”

And what did Bill see as the cause for those issues?

Bill Belichick, "We didn’t play well tonight. It is what it is. We didn’t coach well. We didn’t do anything well.”

At least Bill can take pride in the fact that the team made a comeback right?

Bill Belichick, "We have to do everything better than we did tonight."

Bill Belichick refused to take a moral victory and I don't blame him. The Patriots are still in a position to go to the superbowl, regardless of the odds. There is no room for moral victories. The Patriots had themselves back in the game at 20-17 with little over two minutes left. There is no excuse. There is only do your job and the Patriots failed.

The Patriots are on to Buffalo and need a win after this loss to help secure the division. Forget the top seed. The playoffs are still not a guarantee and what happened in Miami in 2019 can happen again. The Patriots can take no game for granted. The Patriots under Belichick have always had a corporate mindset. Bill has been said to be more player friendly this season. Even giving a few extra days off this bye. If this is what we can expect from Player's coach Billy B. than we need the uncaring hard ass back. L.F.G. !!!