While it would be helpful in many ways, especially in regards to draft position, if the Patriots just bottomed out the rest of the way — which could happen to their ever-growing injury issues — the chances are strong that the Patriots will produce a lot of fool's gold the rest of the way as the schedule softens up.
Just as it has several times in recent years, leading to bad finishes, that most people chose to ignore rather than face the reality of this program without Tom Brady.
Playing for the next game is what Bill Belichick does. It's the only thing he knows. It has served this franchise well for many years and will continue to teach valuable lessons, but it's not what this team needs to brighten the future — whether Belichick is leading this team going forward or not.
The "kids" need to play. A lot.
Belichick has always been reticent to play younger players due to the potential for mistakes. The reason why the Patriots beat the Bills a few weeks ago is because they outplayed Buffalo in all three phases and largely played mistake-free. That's the Belichick ideal. Talent doesn't really matter, the system does if you execute it the right way. Young players don't often do that. Veterans and retreads that wouldn't start most places do, so they get the playing time.
That needs to end for this season. The Patriots should be meeting and asking the following questions: "Who is going to be here next year? What is their ideal position?" And then go play those players. You learn by doing, not sitting. Sure, mistakes will be made but the Patriots need to see if the players can make the corrections to improve. If they don't, they aren't part of the future.
A list of players who should be played more and where with the focus on being better for next season:
Demario Douglas, slot receiver: In case anyone hasn't noticed — Hi, Bill — this offense does not run the same without a good slot receiver and third-down back. Belichick just forgot to try at those positions and, not shockingly, the offense stinks. Let Pop cook at the slot. If he runs the wrong routes, coach him up. Juju Smith-Schuster should be his backup.
Kayshon Boutte/Tyquan Thornton, X receiver: Yeah, Douglas has a lot to prove when it comes to being a professional, but he's gotten off to a good start there this season by all accounts. He may never be more than a possession receiver and has some toe-tap issues, but give him some rope to show you what he can do. Thornton needs all the reps he can get, if he can stay on the field. We don't need to see DeVante Parker anymore.
Jalen Reagor, 3rd receiver: Every other team in the league thinks he stinks and can't catch (similar to former teammate Nelson Agholor). You won't know until you play him regularly. You don't want to learn what everyone else knows next year simply because you didn't play him enough when you had the chance.
Cole Strange, Sidy Sow, Atonio Mafi: These are your guards of the future. Let them play with Sow and Mafi in a rotation.
Mike Onwenu, right tackle: You spent enough dumb draft capital on the middle of the line and you have plenty of cap space. Onwenu should be re-signed and the right tackle of the future. Start his reps now.
Jake Andrews, center: I still love how David Andrews plays, but there are enough league executives telling me his play is declining that I have no choice but to listen.
Patrick Taylor, RB: Former Packer is on the practice squad. Not sure what he does, but I want to find out. And can they sign a freaking third-down back off a practice squad somewhere for crying out loud?
Keion White, standup DE: Groom him to be Matthew Judon's successor because you know he's going the way of Stephon Gilmore.
Christian Barmore, DT: He should now start and play in every situation. And he's starting to come on.
Josh Uche, OLB: So you unwisely didn't trade him for something. The Patriots better re-sign him, so that means he needs to play every down against the run and make the corrections. No more designated pass rusher stuff.
Mack Wilson, LB: He's played more with Bentley beat up ... this position I care less about but it would be nice for Wilson to get more run.
Marte Mapu, FS: He's the future at the position — he doesn't look like he's going to be able to put on a ton more weight and play LB — so just let him play and learn. He's so freaking smart that ever rep will make him so much better, even if he gets torched by Tyreek Hill. That will help him next season.
Jack Jones, CB: Nobody trusts him off the field more than they can throw him, but the guy can cover. Let him do it all the time.
Kyle Dugger, box safety: It's over for him at free safety. Just play him in the box and do his thing.
NICKEL PACKAGE
1. A lot will be said and written about Josh McDaniels' short time (again) in Vegas, but the bottom line is this: if he just got a little better QB play the last two seasons, none of the other stuff would matter (winning is the great elixir) and he would still be employed. But, ironically, a great QB teacher couldn't do it, for a variety of reasons. McDaniels kept Derek Carr to try him out and not repeat the Jay Cutler fiasco from Denver. The owner long ago wanted Carr gone, and the extension was fine - he only has $5 million dead cap this year, not an issue. Carr couldn't make the plays that were there to win seven one-score games, and his teammates saw the film - everyone wanted him gone. I think they were hopeful for Tom Brady in Year 2, but that didn't happen so they went for continuity of scheme with Jimmy Garoppolo as a bridge and got a potential young starter in Aidan O'Connell. Seemed good on paper, but Garoppolo had been out of the scheme for too long, was never comfortable and played worse than Carr. Oh, and never start Brian Hoyer under any circumstances. In hindsight, McDaniels and Dave Zeigler probably just should have sold the farm to get a top draft QB - at the latest this year (or traded for Mac Jones this past offseason). Young QBs bring hope and patience.
2. Lesson learned #2: Don't work for an owner, even if he buys into your rebuild plan and pledges three years, who sits in an open-air suite at the stadium and is out in public as much as Mark Davis was. He can't stand the heat, obviously. 25 games is a complete joke.
3. Lesson learned #3: Do not trade for a top WR like Davante Adams unless you know you have everything else in place and he's the cherry on top. Last year, the offense was 12th in points and yards, Adams caught 100 balls for 1,516 yards and 14 TDs, Josh Jacobs led the league in rushing with 1,653 yards and it meant nothing because the defense was horrible. This year, the defense was better but the interior line couldn't protect and the QB was jumpy. Bad combinations.
4. Time for Bob and Bill to open up the checkbook. You made your bed with these impending free agents. You better be willing to pay the freight or else this franchise will continue to piss away assets, which is part of the reason they are a 2-6 football team.
5. Bedard's Pick
Fanduel Odds: Patriots -2.5, 40.5 o/u
Bedard's 2023 record: 5-3 overall, 4-4 vs. spread.
The Commanders are horrible on defense, especially against the pass, which should lead to Mac Jones being able to air it out - we'll see how that goes. Like the moxy and arm of QB Sam Howell, but the line gives up too much pressure and he holds the ball a while. Commanders have great weapons, so this could end up an unexpected track meet.
Patriots 27, Commanders 24