Defector Clip 1

Nobody Wants the Patriots in the Playoffs
By: Ryan McNeill
12/27/22
Tragedy has struck in practically all its forms for the 2022 New England Patriots. Losing to
the Raiders on the most embarrassing play in NFL history, followed by a Christmas Eve
comeback against the Bengals being stopped by a fumble only five yards away from victory.
The team entered the season hoping to move laterally after a 10-7 campaign last year. They
did not get marginally better while the rest of the AFC did and they were handed a tougher
schedule than the previous season. The Patriots were not shoo-ins for the playoffs and by
no means heralded as one of the top teams in the AFC, let alone the league. With two
games left in the 2022 season, the team still has a chance at a playoff berth, which should
resound hope and optimism around the franchise. However, the incompetence shown by
the team through every win and loss is staggering and even their own fans are hesitant to
root for this 7-8 team to make the playoffs.
After every head-scratching and confusing roster change or personnel decision, Patriot
fans used to blurt out the old adage “Well I trust Belichick”. That phrase died this season.
Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels’s departure left you with a second-year Quarterback
in Mac Jones still needing his hand to be held a little longer while he develops into a
legitimate starter. Bill Belichick gave the position of running this offense and very possibly
pinning the future of the franchise to two bozos who have failed to win over the players
and fanbase as of late December (which means it is not gonna happen at all). Matt Patricia
and Joe Judge both failed miserably as Head Coaches of the Detroit Lions and New York
Giants, respectively. To make matters worse, Patricia made a name for himself as a
Defensive Coordinator and Judge on Special Teams. Neither man has proper experience in
offensive playcalling or player development, the team plays in accordance with those facts
as the team is posting one of the league’s worst offenses and all roads lead back to
Belichick being the one the blame. The abysmal offense is the first obvious reason why
nobody wants the Patriots in the playoffs.
The NFL playoffs are supposed to be fun, wild, unpredictable and create highlights to be
played for years to come. The Patriots check none of those boxes. The fanbases of the 31
other teams do not want to watch a team that has scored more than three offensive
touchdowns in only one game so far this season. No fanbase wants to watch a team eek
into the playoffs off of tough defense and special teams flukes, knowing they will get
demolished come wild card weekend. On top of it, the fans are done with Belichick and the
Patriots. The Brady-Belichick dynasty lasted so long and was so successful, every fanbase
can go the rest of their lives without watching another Patriot game. We can then add Bill
Belichick is an individual who simultaneously garners respect and hatred throughout the
league, making him a tired-out face for NFL fans looking for something new. The Patriots
present nothing new in terms of style, coaching, or mentality, and they do not have
consistent winning as an excuse anymore. Lastly, the other 31 fanbases have no one to
root for on the team. Matthew Judon seems to be well-liked but he is not enough for
people to wish the team success. It comes down to the faces of the franchise. As
mentioned Belichick is not adored or wished for any more success than he has already had.
The other face is Mac Jones. After a competent rookie season, Jones has become a whining,
complaining baby, which may be a result of his inadequate coaching staff. However, the
player play and Jones has played less than spectacular and put together enough evidence
to be labeled a dirty player. Especially after incidents with Brian Burns, Eli Apple, and
questionable slides. It is an easy decision for every other fanbase to want a new team in
the playoffs this year rather than the boring and unlikable Patriots.
Lastly, it comes down to the Patriot fanbase. One would imagine they want their team in
the playoffs. I mean why wouldn’t they? You have to keep moving in the right direction,
right? Right? The problem lies in what message is sent if the Patriots make the playoffs. The
message that gets sent to the fanbase, ownership, and everyone that comes to work at 1
Patriot Place, Foxborough Massachusetts is that this is sustainable football. You then tell
the world that Patricia and Judge can stick around, that there's nothing wrong with
Belichick’s drafting or free agency moves, and that Mac is still definitely the future of the
franchise. All those statements and messages will be backed by the excuse that “look we
made the playoffs with them”.
The franchise needs a wake-up call. Missing the playoffs with a competent roster and
possibly the greatest Head Coach of all time is the reality-check everyone needs. Relying on
the blueprint of the Brady era is disastrous when you do not have Tom Brady to bail you
out week in and week out. The franchise needs change and lots of it. Belichick’s future
needs to be analyzed. His role in drafting, free agency signings, trades, and especially
coaching staff hires have to be put under a microscope. Mac Jones needs to be under
heavy scrutiny after a subpar year and displaying an abysmal attitude. There have to be
lots of discussions on where the franchise is going and how to get it on the right track. It
wouldn’t hurt if the team missed the playoffs and had a few extra weeks to work out all of
these issues.

Defector Clip 1

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Defector Clip 1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Nobody Wants the Patriots in the Playoffs

By: Ryan McNeill

You might also like