Eight takeaways from the Patriots’ loss to the Chargers in Week 13

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Several statistics illustrate the Patriots’ offensive struggles following a 6-0 loss to the Chargers at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.

For the first time in their 64-year history, New England has been shut out at home twice in the same season. The Patriots also became the first team in the Super Bowl era to lose three straight games while allowing ten or fewer points, and they are also the first team to allow 26 points during a three-game span and lose all three games since 1950.

During the post-Brady era under coach Bill Belichick, the Patriots could still win low-scoring games where their defense carried them and the offense made enough plays to come out on top. These wins have kept the Pats relevant throughout the 2022 season. The defense has to hold their heads high, but the offense has reached such disarray that Belichick’s team has fallen to 2-10 because the wins they used to inflate their record a year ago no longer exist. Last season, wins over the Jets and Colts come to mind. Those games aren’t in their favor anymore, and now that that is the case, what’s left for this team?

The mood in the locker room after the game was that the defensive players felt defeated, and the offensive players understood their frustration. New England has now tried a couple of different quarterbacks, and with all that pointing to in coach Bill Belichick’s roster construction, Billy Zappe has been as disappointing as Mac Jones.

Although the Chargers’ downfall in rainy conditions played a role, New England had its best defensive performance in more than a month on Sunday. Unlike the last two games, Los Angeles’ eighth scoring offense has an all-star quarterback with big skill players, and the Pats’ defense was well prepared for OC Kellen Moore’s offense. Despite the team’s record, the defense continues to play strong. The players and defensive staff deserve credit for continuing to pull the rope while the offense isn’t producing.

“It’s about playing with pride. It’s about putting good stuff on film, representing your last name, representing your family. Going out there and competing because we’re 2-10, we’re not going to the playoffs. But it’s about pride.” Putting good things into a movie that people want to see.”

“We held them to six points. We held them to six points and didn’t even get to the end zone. I have nothing to comment on. I’m proud of our defense. Next week, we have to shut down the goose egg,” Davon Godchaux told the website. Patriots.com.

As a disgruntled Patriots fan, you can find hope that the defense isn’t far behind the competition, especially when you consider the significant human toll due to injury. Another ray of hope is that with the Cardinals’ win over the Steelers, the Patriots now hold the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft – #TheTanks is alive and well. This is where we are.

Here are eight takeaways as the Patriots fall to 2-10 on the season with a loss to the Chargers at Gillette Stadium on Sunday:

1. Power play of the game presented by Enel: Chargers S Derwin James Sacks QB Bailey Zappe on a 4th down attempt in the 4th quarter

The defense deserves credit for its performance on Sunday, but we cannot in good conscience continue to highlight positive plays here when the Patriots are losing at this rate.

New England’s best chance to put points on the board came midway through the fourth quarter after their longest play from an offensive scrimmage since Week 9. After a well-timed end in which second-year receiver Tyquan Thornton gained 39 yards, Zappe was sacked on the back. Run-to-back to end the drive, including a sack on fourth-and-5 from the LAC 30.

Due to the rainy conditions, coach Bill Belichick went on fourth down instead of attempting a field goal from approximately 47 yards out to make it 6-3. Belichick said rookie kicker Chad Ryland had problems on long-distance warmups because of the conditions.