How many wins will it take to save Bill Belichick’s job?
During this morning’s Toucher & Rich radio program, Mike Giardi from Boston Sports Journal feels that the two-year deal signed by Belichick aligns with the idea that Mayo might be the heir apparent. However, there’s still room for doubt.
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Giardi suggests that despite their struggles, the team could turn things around in the next three games, emphasizing that the Patriots could win against less formidable opponents and debate the number of wins that could save Bill Belichick’s job. Seven wins seem to be a commonly accepted threshold, but the discussion also raises questions about whether a lower win count could suffice, given certain justifications, like close losses to strong teams. The idea of five wins is introduced, with implications that it could jeopardize Belichick’s tenure highlighting the shifting narrative surrounding the team and the challenges they’ve faced this season, including injuries and the roster composition.
“Mike Giardi from Boston Sports Journal: So, you say that, but in the next three games, and again, I understand. This is not like the old days when you would look at the next three games if Tom Brady was here, or even just three years ago when Mac was a rookie. They had a nice little run, and you would say they’re going to win these three games. But they could win these three games. These games are all against teams like Washington, which isn’t a very good football team.
Fred Toucher: Okay, so what’s considered not a bad record? What’s the threshold for a “not bad” record?
Rich Shertenlieb: Reaching seven wins is likely the benchmark to save his job, yeah.
Fred Toucher: Seven wins, you mean?
Mike Giardi from Boston Sports Journal: Yes, suppose they start at 2-6 and then finish 7-10. How does it look? They could point out that they had a one-possession loss to Philadelphia, a team that might be considered the best in football. They also lost to Miami at home.
Rich Shertenlieb: What about five wins?
Mike Giardi from Boston Sports Journal: Five wins would make it a bit more uncertain for sure. But again, what would be the case?
Fred Toucher: It’s just amusing how this conversation…
Mike Giardi from Boston Sports Journal: Five wins, maybe seven.
Rich Shertenlieb: I don’t care if they light the world on fire during the final three games. If they end up with a record of five and 12, that’s the result.
Mike Giardi from Boston Sports Journal: I would have thought that five and 12 would be the end for him, but now I’m not so sure.
Rich Shertenlieb: Wow. What leads you to think that way? What have you heard from people?
Mike Giardi from Boston Sports Journal: People genuinely believe he’s not doing a bad job with this team. They have only…
Rich Shertenlieb: Assembled this team.
Mike Giardi from Boston Sports Journal: Exactly, and it’s fascinating how the narrative changes. Even the most passionate Pats fan used to think they would have a 10-7 season without a playoff win. Now they believe they can do better, have a real team, and challenge in the AFC East. It hasn’t gone as expected, though. Injuries have been a problem, and despite giving Mack what he needed, it’s not working out as planned.”
the New England Patriots suffered a 31-17 defeat at the hands of the Miami Dolphins. This loss brings the Patriots’ 2023 season record to 2-6 as they reach the midpoint of their campaign.
Mac Jones had a 19-of-29 passing performance for 161 yards, recording two touchdowns and one interception. The interception occurred late in the first half when the Patriots had an opportunity to level the score, proving to be a momentum-shifting moment in a game where both teams were in dire need of points. On the other hand, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa completed 30 of his 45 passes for 326 yards, throwing three touchdowns and one interception. He sealed the victory with a crucial touchdown drive in the late stages of the fourth quarter against the Patriots.
New England set their sights on week 9, when they face the 3-5 Washington Commander, who lost to the Philadelphia Eagles, 38-31.
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Nick Gemelli is a Producer for the Toucher and Rich program and contributor for 985thesportshub.com. you can follow Nick at @NickGemelli on Twitter.
NFL Week 8 Winners & Losers
NFL Week 8 was one of the more surprising weeks of the season with some Super Bowl hopefuls losing to lesser opponents and MVP candidates struggling around the league. With a lot of movement around the standings let’s take a look at the biggest winners and losers of NFL Week 8.
Winner: New York Jets
CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 18: Sauce Gardner #1 of the New York Jets looks on during the second quarter of the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
The Jets won an ugly game in East Rutherford against the New York Giants 13-10 in overtime. Although the Jets’ offense is still tough to watch and Zach Wilson still looks lost for long stretches of the game, their defense has a case to be considered the best in the league.
The Jets improved to 4-3 and are on the playoff bubble in the AFC. The AFC East is going to be a tough hill to climb with the Dolphins at 6-2 and the Bills at 5-3, but the Jets are just looking to hang around long enough to hopefully get Aaron Rodgers back and be in the mix.
Loser: San Francisco 49ers
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 11: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during the third quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Levi’s Stadium on December 11, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
The 49ers were the biggest losers of the weekend, losing at home to the Cincinnati Bengals. Losing to Joe Burrow and the Bengals wouldn’t normally make a team one of the biggest losers of the weekend but the 49ers have now lost three straight and Brock Purdy has struggled in all three games.
The 49ers early in the season seemed like they were going to walk to the NFC Championship Game and potentially the Super Bowl, but the last three weeks have been a reality check. Purdy has been battling a concussion and probably shouldn’t have played this weekend. Now the 49ers find themselves with more questions than answers at the most important position in sports and will need to figure it out soon as they have a roster built for success this season.
Winner: Miami Dolphins
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 29: Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins signals for a first down during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The Dolphins are one of the biggest winners of Week 8 because of their big win over the New England Patriots, as well as the Chiefs (who we’ll get to later) losing to the Broncos, helping the Dolphins move up the AFC standings. The Dolphins, Chiefs, Jaguars and Ravens are now tied atop the AFC at 6-2.
With the playoff structure and how the bye week works these teams will be battling it out all season to get that top spot and the bye in the Wild Card round. Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins offense were back to their dominant form after a down week against the Eagles last week. If the Dolphins can continue to roll they should have a shot to leap frog the other AFC contenders and earn the bye.
Loser: Kansas City Chiefs
CINCINNATI, OHIO – DECEMBER 04: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at Paycor Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The Chiefs are the other big loser this weekend after losing an NFC West battle to the Broncos in Denver. This was the first win over the Chiefs for the Broncos since 2015. The Chiefs’ offense was held to only nine points – a staggeringly low number in the Patrick Mahomes era. The Chiefs were alone atop the AFC but now find themselves in a four-way tie with the Ravens, Jaguars and Dolphins.
Mahomes did go into this game under the weather but the Chiefs looked more out of sync than just an off day from their quarterback. Their defense had moments but Russell Wilson, who has struggled mightily of late, managed to throw for three touchdowns even though he only had 19 passing attempts in the game.
This was Mahomes’ first road loss in the AFC West so it’s not time to panic for Chiefs fans but they should have some concerns about their chances at a bye week and Mahomes uncharacteristic play at times this season with two more interceptions in this game.
Winner: Baltimore Ravens
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 15: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens looks to pass in the third quarter during the 2023 NFL London Games match between Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 15, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
The Ravens are one of the big winners this week as they held on to win a close game against the Arizona Cardinals. The Ravens had their most dominant win of the season last week blowing out the Lions in Baltimore and some thought this could be a let down spot heading to Arizona. The Ravens weren’t nearly as dominant as they were last week but managed to squeak out a win on the road.
This was a massive win for the Ravens because the Bengals are starting to round into form with their biggest win of the season coming in San Francisco this weekend. This win helps the Ravens stay a top the AFC North and also ties them with the Chiefs, Dolphins and Jaguars for best record in the AFC.
Winner: Philadelphia Eagles
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 10: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles attempts a pass during the third quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 10, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Eagles are the biggest winners in the NFC this week as they won a tough NFC East battle against the Washington Commanders and solidified their place a top the NFC standings. Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense haven’t been the same explosive unit they were last season but the last two weeks they’ve started to find that rhythm again.
With the 49ers losing at home and Brock Purdy becoming somewhat of a question mark this week the Eagles could be considered the biggest winners in the league not just the NFC.
