Jerod Mayo Gives Simple Explanation For Patriots’ First Loss

FOXBORO, Mass. -- Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo gave a few familiar answers following Sunday's loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

He kind of sounded like his former boss.

"It just wasn't good enough," Mayo said following the game. "Execution just wasn't good enough. I wish I had an excuse. We just have to be better."

New England was fairly crisp in all three phases, failing to turn the ball over and moving the chains at a better rate than Seattle. Mayo was clearly peeved with the inability to put the game away, though, as his squad held a three-point advantage and the ball with under four minutes to go.

Rhamondre Stevenson was called upon to ice the game, just like he did against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1, and failed to get the job done. Seattle knew what was coming, got two stops on Stevenson, sacked Jacoby Brissett on third down and blocked a field goal attempt to regain possession and eventually tie the game.

The Patriots needed to "Take 'Em To The Hill" and instead stumbled on their way up.

"It's just a lack of execution. That's what it comes down to," Mayo said. "I'm not trying to sound like a broken record. It just comes down to lack of execution. I felt like we were in shape, but as the game wore on, there were these little mental errors that ended up being plays, and just got to do better."

The Patriots' one-dimensional offense seemed to come back to bite them in the behind Sunday, as they needed to execute under tight circumstances and just couldn't get the job done. Mayo has been steadfast in his belief that they're a run-first team, and although that may be true, New England is quickly learning of the drawbacks that come with that distinction.