They had to have the win, and they got it.
That's all that really matters. Style points don't make a difference, especially in divisional games, and just knowing what it feels like to win again can do enough good things for a team's confidence to build a little momentum.
So that's what Sunday's 15-10 victory over the Jets can do for the Patriots.
"It was a good win for us today," Bill Belichick said. "Down here, it’s always tough. Jets are a tough team, they did a good job. Defense is really, really good. We had a good running game. I thought we played pretty good run defense against them and we were able to run the ball better than we have in the first couple weeks. In the end, some key plays in the fourth quarter. Fortunately, we were able to make a couple more than they were but it’s kind of been like this three weeks in a row for us, so it’s good to come out on the good end of it.
"I’m glad to get out of here with a win."
The NFL can be unpredictable. Just one win or even one play can change the fortunes of a season. Sunday may or may not represent that for the Patriots as they head to Dallas next week - we'll just have to wait and find out.
The defense played great, even if it was against Zach Wilson. Jets couldn't run either. Special teams mostly did their part. And the offense showed some signs of life, especially in the first half as they converted 6 of 10 third downs.
But the second half was different.
On the final six drives of the game, the Patriots totaled 75 yards on 28 plays (2.7 average).
For the game, the Patriots never snapped the ball once in the Jets' red zone. The deepest they penetrated was the Jets' 29-yard line on their opening possession.
Yet they still won the game, thanks to a Pharoah Brown 58-yard touchdown on a Jets busted coverage early in the second quarter.
That may work against Wilson and the Jets, but that won't be good enough most weeks.
"It was a tough day but we got the win and a lot of it was from special teams and defense," said Mac Jones.
To win against better opponents, starting Sunday in Dallas, the Patriots are going to have to be more productive on offense. It seemed like they have gotten to the point where it's just a play here or there holding them back. But is that really case? Let's break down the drives in the second half to see what's most responsible for holding the offense back:
OPENING DRIVE: 10 plays, 42 yards, FG
Pariots move the ball well and have a first down at the Jets' 37-yard line.
A first down run by Rhamondre Stevenson goes for just 1 yard (not blocked well), and Jones takes Stevenson short out of the gun for 3 yards on second down to set up 3rd and 6.
It appears that Douglas beats his man and could score a touchdown, but Jones throws short between Mike Gesicki and Douglas. Jones shakes his head going off the field. Tony Romo said Douglas was to blame and should have been more outside.
"I have to watch the tape. I changed it to that play and I thought he definitely is faster than that corner or nickel, so just wanted to give him a chance. That’s pretty much it," Jones said after the game.
Our view: From Jones' reaction, it appears this was not run correctly by the receivers. I'm guessing that Douglas was supposed to run an out and Gesicki was supposed to be the vertical against man coverage and the intended receiver. Jones' pass was sort of in between them. Seems like a broken route coverage.
SECOND DRIVE: 3 plays, -8 net yards, punt
Patriots have three penalties for 20 yards to bring up 3rd and 23. Not good.
THIRD DRIVE: 6 plays, 12 net yards, punt
Despite a penalty for too many men in the huddle, the Patriots convert a 3rd and 15 on a pass from Jones to DeVante Parker for 16 yards. Patriots gain 1 yard on the next three plays.
On first down, Mike Onwenu blocks the wrong player and allows CJ Mosley to run through for no gain.
On second down, Patriots run a toss and Trent Brown doesn't block anyone.
On 3rd and 9, Jones forces a pass to Hunter Henry, who appears to be doubled. DeVante Parker might have been a better option on the other side with a combo route with Demario Douglas.
4Q - FOURTH DRIVE: 6 plays, 32 yards, punt
Five straight Ezekiel Elliot runs converts two first downs and gets the Patriots to 3rd and 1 at the Jets' 45-yard line.
Jones' sneak goes nowhere. That's on the offensive line not winning. And then Belichick decides to punt after taking a timeout. Dubious decision. If the Patriots lost this game, this would have been highlighted.
FIFTH DRIVE: 5 plays, 25 yards, punt
The Jets had just scored a touchdown to make it a 3-point game with 5:24 to play. This is where, if you're a good offense, you execute your four-minute offense and close out the game.
Patriots do convert a first down on an 18-yard pass Bourne. Now there's 3:39 to kill off and go home with a win.
1-10-NE 46 (4:14) (Shotgun) R.Stevenson right tackle to NE 48 for 2 yards (J.Whitehead).
This was a gun run, which I hate, but there seemed to be more out there if Stevenson wasn't tentative with the ball. Should have gotten more than 2 yards.
2-8-NE 48 (3:39) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass short middle to K.Bourne to 50 for 2 yards (Qu.Williams).
This is a high percentage low crosser but Bourne goes backward after the catch, limiting the effectiveness. This turns out to be zone coverage. I think Bourne is just supposed to sit, and then jaunt forward, Julian Edelman-style. But the clock keeps moving.
3-6-50 (2:56) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass incomplete deep left to J.Smith-Schuster.
Smith-Schuster seems to have a step on DJ Reed, but Jones throws more of a back-shoulder ball. Romo put the blame on Jones, who again shakes his head coming off the field. Again, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of confidence from the QB about what he's going to get from his receivers. There was a deep safety - which would call for Smith-Schuster to hitch his route - but he was shallow. Does anyone really expect Smith-Schuster to beat a CB like Reed down the field? If they both read this play the right way and had more time, this is a completion. Put it a better way: if this was Jakobi Meyers, the percentage is much higher that the QB and WR read this the same way - I can almost picture Meyers going back shoulder and making this play to basically ice the game. Bottom line: Jones and Smith-Schuster have almost no chemistry at this point.
SIXTH DRIVE: 3 plays, 7 yards, punt
After the Judon safety, the offense has another chance to ice the game. Don't covert and you risk giving the Jets good field position.
3-3-NE 23 (2:00) (Shotgun) M.Jones pass incomplete short right to J.Smith-Schuster.
After two plays, the Patriots are exactly where they want to be: third and manageable with one play to ice the game.
Doesn't happen. Almost the same exact play. Smith-Schuster is expecting a ball over the top, Jones throws backshoulder. It's not close to complete.
Patriots run it three straight times on the next possession and the defense holds up, barely, to win.
"I mean we’re definitely close and thought the play calling was really good," Jones said. "Coach (Bill) O’Brien did a great job calling a great game. We just got to execute better and I just got to let them touch the ball but in a day like today, with the wind and the rain, you just got to be really smart and play smart football."
__________________
So what's the bottom line on all this?
Do I think Jones was to blame for this? Not really.
The blocking could be better to impose their will. Stevenson could be more decisive when he gets opportunities.
The biggest issue with this passing game right now is trust. Yes, some of it is Jones and the blocking, but that's what I saw on these plays. Hunter Henry went out with an injury but returned during these plays. He didn't look like he was effective, and Jones didn't look his way - probably on purpose.
The biggest issue is Jones and Smith-Schuster have serious trust issues. Three games in, they are not seeing plays the same way. Maybe this has something to do with Jones' comments last week that only a couple of guys are staying late to watch more film. On the other hand, Jones has been very complimentary of Smith-Schuster.
All that is just noise anyway. What matters is a Patriots quarterback doesn't have confidence — or at least doesn't see things the same way — as his slot receiver, never mind that receiver has a hard time getting open. That's a big issue in this offense. Imagine if the former QB didn't have confidence in Wes Welker or Julian Edelman. And imagine those slots couldn't win off the snap. Yes, you can definitely make a case that the decision to let Meyers go is again hurting this offense. Combine the fact that the Patriots also lack a true third-down back ala James White — why is Ty Montgomery on this team again? — and you can begin to see why the Patriots are sluggish, at best, on offense in big moments.
It's a matter of trust. And Mac Jones has very little in his receivers at this point, especially if Henry is compromised physically.
That needs to be solved in a hurry or this offense is never going to improve unless the run game carries them.