FOXBORO, Mass. — It’s rare to see the New England Patriots struggle in one aspect of the game, let alone flop in multiple phases over the course of 60 minutes.
Yet that’s what happened Sunday in the Patriots’ 35-28 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium. New England’s defense played well, for the most part, but the Patriots’ special teams was brutal and the offense again wasn’t its usual explosive self sans Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski.
“Just overall, we obviously didn’t do anything well enough (Sunday),” Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said. “Didn’t do enough on offense, turned the ball over, gave up two third-down touchdowns on defense, didn’t play well in the kicking game. Just really didn’t do anything well enough to really win.”
Tom Brady threw two interceptions, including one near the goal line in the third quarter that was returned 99 yards for a go-ahead touchdown. The Eagles also scored touchdowns on a blocked punt just before the half and an 83-yard third-quarter punt return by Darren Sproles.
It was an uncharacteristically sloppy effort for New England, which prides itself on winning every battle and executing the tiniest tasks within a given game. A similar sentiment was shared by several players in the Patriots’ locker room following the loss: The Pats need to be better after back-to-back defeats.
“We had some good plays in the game. We just didn’t have enough of them,” Belichick said. “We had too many bad ones. It’s not good enough.”
Belichick obviously simplified matters, but his assessment is entirely accurate. The Patriots aren’t playing well enough right now, in large because of injuries, and they’re no longer positioned to have a first-round bye because of it.
Oh, how things can change over two weeks.
Thumbnail photo via Stew Milne/USA TODAY Sports Images
