The New England Patriots entered today’s matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers aiming to disrupt their playoff aspirations. Unfortunately, the game ended in a crushing 40-7 loss for New England.
This defeat solidified a historic low for the Patriots, marking back-to-back seasons with a sub-.300 winning percentage for the first time since 1968-69, when they were still known as the AFL’s Boston Patriots. NFL insider Dianna Russini from The Athletic highlighted this dismal milestone, underscoring the team’s struggles throughout the year.
The game went from bad to worse for the Patriots. Quarterback Drake Maye exited briefly with a head injury before returning, while star cornerback Christian Gonzalez left the game after being diagnosed with a concussion. Offensively, Maye had difficulty establishing momentum, completing only 12 of 22 passes for 117 yards and one touchdown.
On the opposite side, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert dominated, throwing for 281 yards and three touchdowns with a 26-of-38 completion rate. Running back J.K. Dobbins also played a key role, rushing 19 times for 76 yards and a touchdown.
With this loss, the Patriots dropped to 3-13 on the season. If they lose their final game next week against the Buffalo Bills, they will secure at least the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming draft—a scenario that could benefit the team’s long-term rebuilding efforts.
The performance has also cast doubt on head coach Jerod Mayo’s future. The team appeared listless and uninspired, raising questions about the coaching staff’s ability to lead a turnaround. Decisions about Mayo and the rest of the staff could loom large in the offseason.
With just one game left, Patriots fans are eager to close the book on this disastrous season and focus on what’s ahead. Russini’s statistic highlights the extent of the team’s struggles, and all attention now shifts to how New England will approach a critical offseason and the opportunity to rebuild.
