Greg Bedard of BostonSportJournal.com joined Felger and Mazz on Tuesday, as he does every Tuesday during the football season to discuss the latest with the New England Patriots. This week Bedard gave his 3 up and 3 Down for the Patriots in 2023 following their season ending 17-3 loss a home to the New York Jets.
But before the 3 up and 3 down, here are some stats and info on the Patriots courtesy of NFL.com….
Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe threw 2 interceptions in the loss to the Jets. Zappe had a total of 9 interceptions during the 2023 season.
The Patriots offense managed to get just 6 first downs in the loss to the Jets. The Jets offense picked up 13 first downs in the win.
With the loss at Gillette Stadium, the Patriots finished the season 1-8 at home. They went 1-7 at Gillette Stadium and lost to the Indianapolis Colts in Germany, which was considered a Patriots home game.
Mac Jones led the Patriots in 2023 with 2,120 yards passing during the 2023 season. Jones threw a total of 10 touchdown passes on the season.
Ezekiel Elliott led all Patriots rushers in rushing yards with 642 in 2023. Elliott took over a majority of the rushes following an injury to Rhamondre Stevenson. Stevenson ran for 619 yards in 12 games in 2023.
Rookie wide receiver DeMario Douglas led all Patriots pass catchers in yards this season with 561 receiving yards, while tight end Hunter Henry led all pass catchers with 6 touchdown catches in 2023.
Linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley made the most tackles on defense for the Patriots in 2023 with 114 total tackles in 16 games played. Bentley tallied a total of 4.5 sack in 2023.
Defensive Tackle Christian Barmore led all defenders in sacks in 2023 with 8.5 sacks.
Rookie kicker Chad Ryland made 16 of the 25 field goals that he attempted in 2023 and 24 of the 25 extra points he attempted. Ryland’s longest field goal was a 56 yard field goal that he made on Christmas Eve in Denver to lift the team to a 26-23 victory over the Broncos.
3 UP
Christian Barmore
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 07: Christian Barmore #90 of the New England Patriots tackles Breece Hall #20 of the New York Jets in the second half during a game at Gillette Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Greg Bedard: He became a top ten defensive tackle and led the team in quarterback pressures. That might have been different if Judon was healthy, but, um, outstanding. He really developed. Where he really went to another level was against the run. He’s become terrific against the run. I look forward to him being a dominating two way defensive tackle and they have to get an extension done with him this offseason.
Ezekiel Elliott
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 07: Ezekiel Elliott #15 of the New England Patriots carries the ball, defended by Sauce Gardner #1 of the New York Jets in the second quarter during a game at Gillette Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Greg Bedard: I thought he was outstanding throughout from start to finish. He was a really good player for this team, arguably the most consistent offensive player this year. I thought he was great.
David Andrews
Dec. 6, 2020; Inglewood, CA: New England Patriots center David Andrews points to the Los Angeles Chargers defense during a game at SoFi Stadium. (Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports)
Greg Bedard: He was outstanding this season considering the absolute crap show that was going on next to him at the guard spots, let alone the tackle spots. I thought he had perhaps his best season this year. I thought he was terrific. He played every single game and every single snap. He was awesome.
3 DOWN
Atonio Mafi
New England Patriots guard Atonio Mafi makes his way to the practice fields for 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Greg Bedard: This is going to be a little bit unfair because he’s young and used to play a different position. But Antonio Mafi had the most allowed pressure this year. He did not play well when he was in there. I’m not saying he’s going to be a bad player. I think he’s got a lot of really nice skills, but he needs a lot of development.
Vederian Lowe
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 15: Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders and Bilal Nichols #91 of the Las Vegas Raiders sack Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots for a safety while Vederian Lowe #59 of the New England Patriots looks on during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Greg Bedard: Number two on my list was Vederian Lowe. He and Mafi were very close to each other. They just weren’t good enough. And the offensive line is what really did this team in this year.
Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 10: Bailey Zappe #4 of the New England Patriots looks on next to Mac Jones #10 before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium on September 10, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Greg Bedard: The quarterbacks. The two of them. Mac Jones was a little bit worse than Bailey Zappy but they both weren’t good enough. Now do I think they were both a victim of circumstances? What went on here and about how, you know the turnovers, as opposed to Bill I don’t believe the turnovers just don’t just happen out of nowhere, I believe that they are a product of what you put around players, especially the quarterback position. And when you get them crappy blocking, no running game, and no targets, yeah, you’re going to have a lot of turnovers. But still neither quarterback was good enough. I don’t want to hear about either of them ever again. I want them both gone and a new regime and start fresh.
