Who’s really making the decisions for Patriots?
It was another week of the same for the New England Patriots in week 9. The team had a chance to win the game, but the in-game decision making once again cost them a chance for victory. Only this time, it was after miraculous touchdown pass by Drake Maye. The TD past to Rhamondre Stevenson made it a one point game with no time remaining. Jerod Mayo had a chance right there to take control and go for the win on the road. And when asked after the game, he “didn’t want to get into that question right now” and there is where I ask, who is making the decisions? Today Mayo said I felt like that was the right thing to do… Ultimately it’s my decision.” Mayo had nothing to lose here, and shows he has no control. or they weren’t ready in that situation.
The Patriots went on to lose the game to Titans 20-17 in overtime falling to 2-7 on the season. Instead of going for two points and the win, the team settled on barely making the PAT. Then they lost the coin toss in overtime. They decided to kick into the wind. Tennessee then gashed the Patriots defense in overtime and held the ball almost the entire session. Despite a fumbled snap, they could have won the game without every giving the Patriots the ball again. Maye had a chance with two minutes left in overtime but the offense forced the ball downfield on every play. Eventually leading to the game ending interception, the third turnover of the day for the Patriots.
The coaching staff has been a wreck all season. There was a new offensive line combo this week after showing continuity the past few weeks including a win over the Jets. Instead they moved Michael Onwenu back to tackle and Rookie Layden Robinson struggled, whose idea was this? The Patriots running game was once again non-existent. Stevenson has red-zone touchdowns in back to back weeks and caught the final touchdown. But they had a total of 15 yards on the day. The offense featured many outside toss runs and ran a zone running scheme? Who made this decision?
On defense, it was another 400 yards and 160 on the ground. They also ran out of gas in overtime, what happened to take them to the hill? Mayo didn’t have the answer in post game. What does he actually have the ability to do? This was another winnable game for the Patriots, one they had no business winning. The Patriots have once again failed Drake Maye. And make it wildly known that Mayo is not the one in control.
