BSJ Game Report: Saints 34, Patriots 0 - New England turns ball over 3 times, outscored 72-3 past two games

Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ loss to the Saints in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

BOX SCORE

HEADLINES

Worst home shutout ever: Patriots were shutout 34-0 by the Saints, marking the worst-ever shutout loss at home. The previous record was in 1969, when the Boston Patriots of the AFL lost 31-0 to the Chiefs at BC's Alumni Stadium.

Patriots have been outscored 72-3 in consecutive losses to the Cowboys and Saints.

Patriots are 0-3 at home. They started 0-4 in 2021.

The Patriots have gone 34 consecutive drives without a touchdown. Deepest penetration was the Saints' 30.

Patriots were 1 of 16 on third and fourth downs.

Mood of the team?

"It's not good," said captain Hunter Henry. "I'll leave it at that."

Mac Jones turns ball over three times, benched for the second-straight game: Patriots went three and out on the first drive, and then Jones did exactly what he knew he couldn't —

Jones was hit on the play, but this can't happen, not after last week.

Later, Jones made a bad pitch high and behind Rhamondre Stevenson on 3rd and short to start the second half, and the Saints recovered, scored a touchdown.

Jones was later picked again, although it was a drop by Ty Mongtomery. Bailey Zappe entered on the next possession.

Offensive line again struggles: The biggest issue on the team again was the offensive line. Patriots avered 2.5 yards per rush, and the quarterbacks were pressure nearly 50 percent of dropbacks. Cole Strange was inactive, which led to an early rotation at LG between Atonio Mafi and Riley Reiff, straight off IR. But then Mike Onwenu left with an ankle injury, and Reiff plugged in. Jones was sacked twice.

SECOND GUESS

Patriots twice had 4th and 3s in Saints territory and didn't go for it. 

Trailing 7-0 with 3:48 left in the first quarter at the New Orleans' 30, Belichick elected to kick a 48-yard field goal. Chad Ryland was wide left.

Trailing 24-0 with 7:33 left in the third, Belichick punted. It went 27 yards.

ZERO UP

Nope.

FOUR DOWN

Offensive line: They got whipped badly for the fourth straight game. It's tough to do much of anything on offense when that happens.

Mac Jones: Two bad turnovers led directly to 14 points. Regardless of what is going on, that can't happen. The third turnovers wasn't his fault.

Receivers: No one's open and they aren't coming up with contested catches either.

Special teams: Missed field goal, bad snaps, shanked punts, two penalties ... not good either.

TOP PLAYS

There weren't any.

INJURIES

WR Demario Douglas (concussion): Did not return.
LG Mike Onwenu (ankle): Did not return, replaced by Riley Reiff.
WR Juju Smith-Schuser (concussion): Did not return.
S Jabrill Peppers (illness): Returned.

TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

I'm stunned by this: I never, ever thought it would be this bad. Getting beat 72-3 the past two weeks? Not in the realm of my reality. They can't really do anything. The offense is abysmal - can't run it or throw it. The defense is OK, but not that great - but they're on the field forever. The special teams have been horrible considering the supposed upgrades there. Now there are guys getting injured all over the place? I don't know. I have seen a team this listless and aimless since the end of Nick Saban's tenure with the Dolphins in 2006 — and they beat the Patriots 21-0 down the stretch!

Has this team quit?: Something smells on this team, especially on offense. The defense started the game fine today and later gave up some big plays, but the offense just looks at a loss for answers from the beginning of every game. Like they're surprised how the game is going. Is Adrian Klemm, the line coach, at the heart of some of the issues? Maybe. It's a bad combination of bad blocking and no speed on the outside. 

I don't know. I have a lot of questions right now. I'm stunned by all this. I really am.