Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ loss to the Jets in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:
HEADLINES
Belichick, perhaps, goes out with a whimper: With the elements poor and both teams already offensively challenged in good conditions, the Patriots fell in their season finale to the hated Jets ... QB Trevor Siemian.
Tough way for Bill Belichick to, perhaps, end his tenure as Patriots coach, as the Jets snapped their 15-game losing streak to Belichick and the Patriots.
"Disappointing finish there today," Belichick said. "I have a lot of respect for the way the players competed. Have all year. You know, I thought that was indicative of the competitiveness. You know, at the end, Hunter’s [Mike Gesicki]’s strip after the interception and the recovery by [Vederian] Lowe, really gave himself up on it and just played hard. But you know, we just couldn’t make enough plays to win. So it’s a disappointing year for all of us, players, coaches, staff. Entire organization. Not anything that any of us are in any way content with but it is what it is."
Belichick ties two all-time loss marks: With the loss, Belichick now is tied for the most losses in NFL history in the regular season (165, Jeff Fisher and Dan Reeves) and combined regular-season and postseason games (178, Tom Landry).
Patriots' worst season since 1992: The Patriots finished with a 4-13 record, good for a .235 winning percentage. That's the worst record since 1992, when the Patriots finished 2-14 in Dick MacPherson's final season.
"Like I said, it’s a disappointing season. I covered that in the opening statement. I don’t have anything to add. That’s how I feel," Belichick said. "But no, I still – I like coaching the team. I like preparing the team, game planning, coaching on Sundays. But the results weren’t good and none of us are happy with those.
Offense finishes terrible season in fitting fashion: Bailey Zappe was sacked seven times and picked off twice (could have been about six). He finished 12 of 30 (40 percent) and posted a 20.1 rating.
"There’s a lot of things that I feel like I improved on," Zappe said. "There’s a lot of things that going into this off-season, talking with the coaches, I’m sure this week, there’s some things that I’m going to have to fix and get right before next year, of course. Turnovers is one of them. Starting from, you know, when I – first season started, being cut, out of here – I mean, it’s a blessing, of course, to be standing here today. But you know, I wish we came out with the win of course. But there’s a lot of things I’ve got to get better at this off-season so we can come win games next year.
Patriots will pick No. 3 in 2024 draft: As soon as it's official that the Commanders fell to the Cowboys (Dallas leads 35-10), the Patriots will hold the third selection in the upcoming draft behing the Bears and Commanders.
Patriots 2024 schedule set: By virtue of their last-place finish in the AFC East, the Patriots will also play the last-place teams in the AFC West, AFC North and NFC North. With today's results, the schedule is nearly finalized.
Home: Buffalo, Miami, NY Jets, Houston, Indianapolis, L.A. Rams, Seattle, L.A. Chargers.
Away: Buffalo, Miami, NY Jets, Arizona, Jacksonville, San Francisco, Tennessee, Cincinnati, Chicago (if Bears lose to Packers).
SECOND GUESS
After declining to go for it on 4th down around midfield almost the entire season, Belichick elected to go for 4th-and-11 from his own 45-yard line trialing 6-3 with 12:31 remaining in the game — with a pass — that went incomplete.
Feels like he's trolling ... or a reflection of his thoughts on Bryce Baringer, who had another touchback in a big spot.
Jets took the field position and went up 9-3.
THREE UP
Christian Barmore: Led the team with 10 tackles, six solo and he added two tackles for a loss and a QB hit. Strong finish to a strong season.
Anfernee Jennings: Had three tackles for a loss as he became one of the surprises on the team.
Ezekiel Elliott: Finished like a pro with 4.2 yards per carry on the ground and team-high five receptions.
THREE DOWN
Bailey Zappe: The bar should be outplaying Siemian, and he didn't do that.
Bryce Baringer: Boomed a couple to finish with a 46.9 average, but his net was just 39.3 and he had a big touchback (again) that could have tilted field position.
Offensive line: They allowed seven sacks (some were on Zappe). Enough said.
TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER
I have no clue what's about to happen: Think the odds are strong that the Patriots and Belichick part ways, but I don't rule out him continuing on. I think the discussion will take a few days of going back and forth.
David Andrews should not retire: He had an excellent season, especially considering the crapstorm around him on that line, and has more good football in him. It might not be here, but he can playing for a contender and help them - especially considering the state of offensive line play in this league.
