The Patriots Close Out Regular Season with Loss Against Jets
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (PSF)—The Patriots’ catastrophic season ends with a 17-3 loss to the Jets, snapping the Jets’ 15-game losing streak against the Patriots.
Photo Credit: Eric J. Adler, New England Patriots
Emotions were high in Gillette Stadium as this game could be the last not only for head coach Bill Belichick but also for special teams captain wide receiver Matthew Slater, who will likely retire after his 16 seasons in the NFL.
Slater is the longest-tenured Patriots player and is a 10-time Pro Bowler and three-time Super Bowl champion. Players were seen wearing sweatshirts with Slater’s name and number during pregame, but his final decision on his future won’t come until after the season.
Several previous players and coaches came to support Slater in his possible last game including old offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, former cornerback Malcolm Butler and former running back James White who also rang the lighthouse bell before kickoff.
Offense:
The quarterback situation for both teams has been shaky this season. The Jets started quarterback Trevor Siemian due to QB Zach Wilson not passing concussion testing in the week prior to the game. The Patriots decided to finish the season with QB Bailey Zappe under center and even demoted QB Mac Jones, who originally started for the Patriots this season, to inactive as the third-string quarterback.
The wintry conditions of Massachusetts affected both teams on both sides of the ball. Both quarterbacks only completed 40% of their throws, with Zappe throwing two interceptions in the elements.
The Patriots only generated 119 yards of total offense (88 of those on the ground) and only converted on one of their 14 third downs. They went 0/3 on fourth down attempts on the day.
New England’s only points came from a 30-yard field goal in the second quarter and the weather prevented them from getting back into a comfortable field goal range.
With the Jets missing a 49-yard field goal, the Patriots only trailed by three going into the half.
With a third-quarter only filled with punts, the Jets were able to kick another 33-yard field goal to make the score 9-3 in the middle of the fourth quarter.
The Patriots still had hope since a touchdown would win the game, but considering how they had been playing, the hope was slim to none.
This was shown when Zappe’s pass intended for WR Jalen Reagor was intercepted by safety Ashtyn Davis. Davis ended up fumbling the ball and offensive lineman Vederian Lowe recovered it, giving the Patriots another chance. Unfortunately, Zappe threw another interception, this time to S Tony Adams, who kept the ball secure.
Two plays later, Jets running back Breece Hall ran in a 50-yard touchdown and the two-point conversion, ending the game with a score of 17-3.
Many factors of the Patriots’ offense contributed to this loss, the main being the amount of sacks Zappe took throughout the afternoon. The Jets sacked Zappe seven times for 57 yards, and he was hit an additional 10 times. The Patriots have a lot of work to do in the offseason to fix this crumbling offense.
Defense:
New England’s defense held the Jets to only field goals until the final minutes of the last quarter. Standout defensive tackle Christian Barmore and linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley led the team with 10 total tackles, and Bentley also accounted for half a sack.
The defense only allowed 70 yards receiving for the Jets, but was not as successful in stopping the run game as Hall rushed for 178 yards and the lone touchdown.
Looking Forward:
It looks like the Patriots will have the No. 3 pick in the 2024 Draft, where they will most likely draft a quarterback with this position.
The quarterback class is pretty strong this year with 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, Southern California’s Caleb Williams, North Carolina’s Drake Maye, this year’s Heisman winner, Louisiana State’s Jayden Daniels, Oregon’s Bo Nix and Washington’s Michael Penix Jr.
Most predictions have Maye going to the Patriots, but New England is never a team that follows the projections.
With a coaching change in the air, it will be interesting to watch as the Patriots’ offseason unfolds.