Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ loss to the Cowboys in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:
HEADLINES
Mac Jones bottoms out: The third-year quarterback actually got off to a good start in this game, as he was 4 of 5 for 75 yards and led an opening scoring drive. And then things went the other way in a hurry as the Cowboys' team speed and the Patriots' lack of offensive talent was on full display.
For the rest of stint — he was pulled with 3:41 left in the third quarter for Bailey Zappe — Jones was 8 of 16 for 108 yards, two interceptions and a fumble. The fumble on a strip sack and the first interception were returned for touchdowns. He finished with a QB rating of 39.9. His only two worse passer rating games: 16.7 vs. Bears Week 7 in 2022, 31.4 vs. Buffalo Week 16 2021.
Zappe wasn't much better in garbage time: 4 of 9 for 56 yards, 65.5 rating.
Bill Belichick said after the game that Jones was not benched for performance.
"There was no point leaving him in the game so I took him out," he said.
Jones will start against the Saints.
"Yeah, I didn't think there was any point leaving them out there. So I took him about," Belichick reiterated.
Injury situation gets worse: The Patriots saw two of their best defensive players, CB Christian Gonzalez (shoulder) and DE Matthew Judon (arm), leave the game and not return. Jabrill Peppers (back) was also dealing with something.
#MatthewJudon with potentially significant elbow injury which would be a huge blow for @Patriots.https://t.co/RATa0jmjwE pic.twitter.com/q9YaCOI9D1
— David J. Chao - ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) October 1, 2023
Defense, special teams weren't much better: New England's defense allowed three scoring drives of at least 10 plays and 70 yards in the first four series. Cowboys QB Dak Prescott finished 28 of 34 (82.4 percent), 261 yards and 1 TD for a 108.5 rating.
The special teams allowed a fake extra point for two points, and kicker Chad Ryland missed a field goal.
Patriots also had six penalties for 50 yards.
"Didn't do much of anything well enough to be competitive tonight," Belichick said. "So at this point, I think we're a lot better team when we showed out there tonight but that's what it was. Got a lot of work to do, have to do a better job playing, coaching. Just have to perform better."
SECOND GUESS
In hindsight, Bill Belichick declining to be aggressive on the opening drive and going for it on 4th and 1 at the Dallas 6 — and then taking a delay of game penalty on the FG — looks pretty poor.
Even worse: the failed tush-push on 4th and a long 1 at the Dallas 41 down 10-3 early in the second quarter. That one is on Bill O'Brien.
ZERO UP
Are we kidding?
THREE DOWN
QB Mac Jones: Look, I don't think this was all his fault — I think the film will show that the Cowboys' aggressive defense exposed the Patriots' weapons — but the bottom line is he can't turn the ball over three times like that, even the strip sack he has to secure the ball. His job is to weather the storm until the offense gets up to speed. He didn't do that. Also didn't love his last throw, which lacked effort and was more, 'Just get me the hell out of here.' Belichick obliged. I still think Jones starts next week.
For the record, Tom Brady had two games with a worse passer rating: 22.5 at Buffalo Week 1, 34.0 Colts Week 9 2006.
Bill Belichick: This is his team, which he prepares. This is his roster, which is woefully inept compared to the upper echelon. When don't they get outclassed by good teams? Brady ain't walking through that door.
RG Mike Onwenu: The three penalties were bad enough, but he was a turnstile the entire game.
INJURIES
CB Christian Gonzalez: Seemed like the shoulder injury he dealt with in camp got a lot worse on a tackle.
DE Matthew Judon: Appeared to at least hyperextended his elbow making a tackle. It's possible he can play with that type of injury.
TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER
What will Belichick's response be?: This is probably the worst regular-season loss since 41-14 at KC in 2014 to drop to 2-2. That was the "We're on to Cincinnati" game. Will he strike a similar tone? I mean, these games do happen for teams and QBs. But these are different times. The Patriots are 1-3 for the third straight season. They have dropped to 26-29 since Brady departed. He has to get it figured out and fast.
Don't make this just about Mac Jones: Jones will get roasted this week, and deservedly so. It was the worst game of his career. But this not about the QB, and Zappe (who the team cut and has trying out alternatives for) is not going to help. This is about a team, in terms of talent, that is woefully behind the top 10 teams in the league. If they aren't perfect with everything, they are are a loose ball away from being blown out. And the Cowboys aren't even that good - Mike McCarthy almost kept the Patriots in the game by himself. But the Cowboys were on a different talent level than the Patriots. Did you see Bills-Dolphins? Those teams don't even play the same sport as the Patriots. We said this season would be a litmus test on whether Belichick's beliefs are still relevant in today's game. We're starting to get an answer, and it ain't good.
