The New England Patriots’ season hit a new low on Sunday as they suffered a demoralizing 32-16 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London. The defeat marked their sixth consecutive setback, prompting head coach Jerod Mayo to deliver a scathing assessment of his team’s performance and mentality.
Mayo Pulls No Punches in Postgame Comments
“We’re a soft football team across the board,” Mayo declared in his postgame press conference. The first-year head coach, who took over for the legendary Bill Belichick this season, didn’t mince words as he laid bare the Patriots’ glaring deficiencies.
We talk about what makes a tough football team and that’s being able to run the ball, being able to stop the run and that’s being able to cover kicks. We did none of those.
– Jerod Mayo, Patriots Head Coach
Mayo’s frustration was palpable as he watched his team squander a promising 10-0 lead. The Patriots’ rushing attack sputtered, managing a meager 38 yards on the ground. Defensively, they were gashed for 171 rushing yards, with the Jaguars imposing their will by running the ball 16 consecutive times at one point.
Special Teams Woes Compound Patriots’ Misery
Perhaps the most glaring lapse came on special teams, where the Patriots surrendered a backbreaking 96-yard punt return touchdown late in the second quarter. The score swung momentum decisively in Jacksonville’s favor heading into halftime.
Mayo’s blistering critique resonated in the Patriots’ locker room. Veteran tight end Hunter Henry acknowledged that the team’s identity was far from what they aspired to be.
That wasn’t what we want to be at all. That was not the identity we want to be.
– Hunter Henry, Patriots Tight End
Glimpses of Hope Amid the Gloom
Despite the disheartening loss, there were a few bright spots for New England. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye showed promise, completing 26 of 37 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns. However, his solid outing wasn’t nearly enough to overcome the team’s myriad shortcomings.
As the Patriots limp back across the Atlantic with a dismal 1-6 record, Mayo made it clear that a mentality shift is imperative. “It’s just the mentality that we have to get back in the guys,” he stressed, shouldering the responsibility himself. “First, it starts with me. It’s about just the mentality of going back to having a tough football team. I just have to do a better job.”
Long Flight Home Offers Time for Reflection
The Patriots’ long journey home from London will provide ample time for introspection. Veterans like cornerback Jonathan Jones challenged his teammates to “find something” and “man up,” acknowledging that their current level of play is unacceptable.
As New England prepares to host the New York Jets next Sunday, Mayo and his staff face the daunting task of instilling a newfound sense of toughness and resilience in a team that appears to have lost its way. The question remains: Can the Patriots rediscover their grit and salvage a season that is rapidly slipping away?
