The New England Patriots entered today’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers hoping to derail the Chargers’ playoff hopes. Instead, the Patriots endured a devastating 40-7 loss.
This defeat marks a historic low for New England, as they have now secured a sub-.300 winning percentage in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1968-69, back when they were the AFL’s Boston Patriots.
NFL insider Dianna Russini from The Athletic highlighted this grim milestone, emphasizing just how tough the year has been for the franchise.
The game was a disaster from start to finish for the Patriots. Quarterback Drake Maye left the game with a head injury but managed to return. Meanwhile, star cornerback Christian Gonzalez was forced to exit due to a concussion. On offense, Maye struggled to find any rhythm, completing just 12 of 22 passes for 117 yards and one touchdown.
On the other side, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had a stellar performance, throwing for 281 yards and three touchdowns with a 26-of-38 completion rate. Running back J.K. Dobbins also contributed significantly, rushing 19 times for 76 yards and a touchdown.
With the loss, the Patriots fell to 3-13 on the season. If they lose their final game next week against the Buffalo Bills, they will lock in at least the No. 2 overall pick in the draft—a result that might be in the team’s best long-term interest.
The future of head coach Jerod Mayo is now under intense scrutiny following this lackluster performance. The team showed little fight throughout the game, and their lack of competitiveness raises questions about the coaching staff’s ability to turn things around.
With only one game remaining, Patriots fans are eager to put this disastrous season behind them and look ahead to a pivotal offseason. Russini’s statistic underscores just how difficult the 2024 campaign has been for the franchise, and all eyes are now on how they plan to rebuild for the future.
