Giardi: Changes coming in the short and long term for the Patriots

The Patriots are a lousy football team. More specifically, they have gotten worse on offense, even after letting Tweedledee and Tweedledum run the show a season ago. Do you know how hard it is not to score a touchdown in the NFL in 2023?

To this point in the NFL season, there have been only 24 examples of an offense going touchdown-less in a game. For the third time in the last six weeks, the Patriots accomplished that ignominious feat, falling flat on their faces in Frankfurt, Germany.

"It's just not good enough in any aspect," said Hunter Henry. "We're not where we want to be at all."

Dating back to the game against the Commanders last weekend, the Pats have gone 17 straight drives without finding the end zone. Of course, it didn't have to be that way. They were knocking on the door late in the 4th quarter, albeit doing it on the backs of their run game because it was apparent, once again, that Mac Jones wasn't trustworthy with the football. But after a loss of two on first down from the 13-yard line, Bill O'Brien had to let his quarterback throw the ball, down 10-6. Mike Gesicki was open, ready to hit the German Griddy, but Mac continued to be jumpier than a flea in a jar, feeling some pressure off left tackle Vederian Lowe and short-arming the pass. Unless you were playing defensive back for the Colts, it had no chance. It was an easy interception and likely the end of the Mac Jones era (error?) as we know it.

"At the end of the day, I got to play better," said Jones. "So, I mean to make people believe, you got to be better."

That belief has waned. Hell, it's no longer in the building, area code, or even New England. So there's that. Then there's the head coach, Bill Belichick, who, for the first time since 2000, is lording over a team that is six games under .500. 

"Obviously a disappointing game," said Belichick. "Similar theme that we've had in other games this year. There are just too many missed opportunities in all three phases of the game. So we've just got to play better situational football and do a better job of taking advantage of the opportunities that we have. We just didn't do a good enough job today."

Belichick will have to make a decision at quarterback but will also have to continue to field questions about his job security and future with the organization. We know he has a new, two-year deal that takes him through next season, but that should hardly be a deterrent for ownership making a change should they need to, and it sure feels like they need to. Obviously, the cleverest bit of business here is to get something of value for your best asset - and he still is, which isn't saying much - even if that asset continues to diminish. 

Owner Robert Kraft spoke to the broadcast team before the game. He has remained mostly silent in the face of my criticism of his head coach, avoiding the media entirely at the league meetings in New York a few weeks back. He told Rich Eisen what I've been telling you since the preseason - internally, they felt like this team had a chance to do real damage in the AFC. Instead, this season has been mistake-laden and mind-numbing. 

"Well, this is our 30th year that I've had the privilege of owning this team," said Kraft. "I've never been 2-7 (now 2-8). It's really disappointing. I had hoped that things would be a lot better, as I know our fan base did. And I hope today is a chance to re-set and make this year a much better year - this isn't what we were expecting to happen this year."

Kraft admitted to speaking to the team after practice earlier this week, perhaps in an attempt to motivate and inspire (which should tell you exactly what you need to know about the concern level at One Patriot Place right now): "Except for the Super Bowl, I don't know that there are any other games that create the memories like the international game does," adding that his Tony D'Amato moment (Pacino in "Any Given Sunday") was the "only time I've done it this year."

It didn't work (although 10 points allowed should be more than enough today). Postgame, Belichick was asked if the job security talk was troubling. It came from a German reporter. They even took the gloves off after the lovefest at Friday's press conference.

"I just go out there and do the best I can every day," Belichick responded. 

Told of Kraft's comments and asked if those sentiments had been communicated directly to him, the 71-year-old spoke broadly, purposely ducking the heart of the question about his owner and instead speaking broadly on the year.

"I think we all feel that way," said Belichick. "I think we're all disappointed in the season. But we'll keep going here. 7 games to go. Be ready to go next week (they have the bye, then New York) against the Giants."

Surely, they'll win that one. I think. But these days, nothing is a given for Belichick and his Patriots, who aren't what they were, and - after these seven games - they may never get the chance to be that again, at least with Belichick in charge.