FOXBORO — The Patriots have been eradicated from the playoffs and nonetheless have 4 video games to go earlier than the 2023 season mercifully reaches its conclusion, so it’s exhausting to search out issues that actually matter within the ultimate slate.
Here’s one: The Chiefs’ offense presents a real check for a Patriots protection that has dominated since Week 10 however hasn’t confronted an excellent above-average offense in that span. And how the Patriots’ protection performs Sunday towards head coach Andy Reid, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight finish Travis Kelce might have long-term ramifications on the franchise as an entire.
It is true that the 2023 Chiefs usually are not as environment friendly or productive as previous variations. For the primary time since Mahomes took over because the starter in 2018, the Chiefs at the moment rank exterior the highest three in anticipated factors added (EPA) per play. They additionally rank exterior the highest six in factors and yards for the primary time since 2017.
But even after struggles to interchange Tyreek Hill within the offense have caught up with Mahomes and Reid, the Chiefs nonetheless current one of many 5 largest challenges the Patriots’ protection has confronted this season.
The Chiefs are seventh in EPA per play and fourth in DVOA. Mahomes is fourth in QBR, fifth in EPA per play and third in general PFF grade amongst QBs.
For another workforce, this is able to be a banner season for the offense. For the Chiefs, it has individuals questioning what’s gone fallacious.
The Patriots’ protection ranks twelfth general this season in EPA per play towards, however they’re second since Week 10. They’ve allowed simply 44 factors in that span — the least within the NFL.
It’s completely potential that the Patriots’ protection turned a big nook in Germany for Week 10, however the opposition additionally have to be thought-about. The Colts, Giants and Steelers all began backup quarterbacks. Chargers vast receivers dropped six of quarterback Justin Herbert’s passes in Week 13.
The Chargers, Colts, Steelers and Giants rank seventeenth, nineteenth, twenty fifth and thirty first, respectively, in EPA per play this season. There’s not a strong squad amongst them.
Sunday will current the protection’s first true check since Week 8 after they misplaced 31-17 to the Dolphins at dwelling.
In a vacuum, how the Patriots’ protection performs this season doesn’t matter. The workforce is barely competing for pleasure and a draft positioning at this level. But how the protection continues to reply over the ultimate quarter of the season might additionally have an effect on choices the workforce is pressured to make this offseason.
First amongst them is whether or not or to not hold Bill Belichick as head coach. NBC Sports Boston’s Tom E. Curran reported this week {that a} determination was made after the Patriots misplaced 10-6 to the Colts in Germany that Belichick wouldn’t be retained.
“When they came out of Germany, conversations I had that week made it very clear that a decision was made,” Curran stated on “Arbella Early Edition.” “They were going to play out the string, and at the end of the year, there would be a parting of the ways, for a variety of reasons.”
Belichick was requested if it was his understanding that proprietor Robert Kraft won’t ask him to be again subsequent season.
“I’m getting ready for Kansas City,” Belichick stated Wednesday. “That’s what I’m doing.”
But the Patriots’ major struggles this season have come on offense and thru personnel. Belichick has lengthy been thought-about a protection genius. He would have little cause for reaching an settlement to cut back his energy within the group, however in a perfect world, there’s worth in retaining Belichick and his defensive dominance however having him surrender front-office decision-making, particularly because it pertains to offense.
And if the Patriots can shut down the Chiefs the identical method they’ve neutralized the Colts, Chargers, Giants and Steelers, then it reveals that Belichick nonetheless has it on the defensive aspect of the ball.
There’s additionally the choice to make on linebackers coach Jerod Mayo, whom Kraft known as in March, “definitely a strong candidate to be the heir apparent” to Belichick.
It feels unusual to advertise an assistant on a workforce that went 3-10 to go coach, however Mayo’s protection, which he helps lead with Belichick and co-linebackers coach Steve Belichick, has not been accountable this seaosn.
“Hopefully, as you guys all know, one day I want to be a head coach,” Mayo stated Tuesday in a video convention. “Where that’s, I don’t know. But on the identical time, I’d say I’ve plenty of love for New England. I’ve plenty of love for the followers, the individuals across the constructing, and my household, they find it irresistible right here, as effectively.
“So that would be great if I could stay here and continue to progress throughout my career. But we’ll see.”
Again, if Mayo helps the Patriots shut down the Chiefs, whatever the sport’s end result, then it solely strengthens his case to be a head coach.
But Sunday’s matchup will function a check of whether or not the Patriots’ defensive success during the last 5 weeks has extra to do with teaching and expertise or a weak stretch of schedule.
These are video games the Patriots should win sooner or later. An ethical victory that comes with an precise loss within the standings and improved draft decide is what’s finest for the franchise at this level.
Source: www.bostonherald.com