Here’s the factor about ethical victories: They present up within the loss column.
There’s solely a handful of positives for the New England Patriots after a 25-20 season-opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles:
* Turnovers on consecutive performs from scrimmage within the first quarter put the Pats in a 16-0 gap, however they picked themselves up and fought to the top.
* A decimated offensive line, and a recreation plan designed to make that much less worrisome, allowed Mac Jones to aim greater than 50 passes. Credit Jones for hanging in there and new OC Bill O’Brien.
* The Patriots protection confirmed up. They held the defending NFC champs to only 251 yards and 17 first downs.
So kudos to the Pats for having the ability to be inside hailing distance of a win within the last minutes. But the messy early errors have been simply an excessive amount of to beat. The Patriots are 0-1, and host AFC East rival Miami subsequent Sunday evening. The Dolphins obtained an enormous win in Los Angeles, beating the Chargers 36-34 behind Tua Tagovaliloa’s 466 yards passing and three TDs.
Mark Twain popularized the phrase, “there are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.”
The authentic writer is unknown. Some say it was Disraeli. It may’ve been Matthew Berry.
Nevertheless, right here’s a statistic to ponder: In the final half-century, fewer than 10% of NFL groups that start the season 0-2 make the playoffs. And groups should defend house discipline. If the Pats get off to an 0-2 begin, that will even imply an 0-2 begin at house.
It might be over already. If they get previous Miami subsequent Sunday evening, that may beat again the wolves on the door. But then the Pats hit the street to face Aaron Rodgers and the Jets, adopted by a visit to Dallas. Precarious.
Beating the Dolphins isn’t a “must-win,” nevertheless it certain as hell is a “you’d better win.”
So, how is Patriots Nation feeling? There’s no disgrace in shedding to one of many NFL’s finest staff at house. But this staff has an especially tight margin of error.
The Bills are the Bills. The Jets are extensively perceived as being in “Super Bowl or Bust” mode. The Patriots this yr can not gack up video games like they did in Las Vegas final yr. And they’re going to want to steal one or two someplace.
Sunday, they’d an opportunity to steal one. They didn’t.
Robert Kraft’s impatience has develop into apparent, if not pronounced. This is a man used to profitable, and profitable massive. He received’t settle for (as former NFL head coach Jeff Fisher coined it) any “7-9 bull****.” Or even any 8-9 bull****. Tom Brady was in the home Sunday, however he’s in any other case not strolling by way of that door.
That dynasty is lengthy over, and the NFL is unlikely to see one prefer it once more. Kraft is aware of this, however he additionally is aware of that he has an organizational integrity that merely received’t tolerate mediocrity. His trophy room has house for extra Lombardis.
And the 2023 season goes to be determinative in loads of methods. Going into Sunday there have been some questions:
1. Is Mac Jones “The Guy,” or is it time to map out an exit technique earlier than his rookie deal is up and he prices extra? Jones on Sunday acquitted himself pretty nicely, however he was considerably handcuffed by a conservative recreation plan and received’t win a ton of video games the place he has to throw 54 instances.
2. Is this offensive line going to carry up? They gutted it out Sunday in opposition to a salty group. That’s encouraging, however if you wish to see how groups fare when beset by accidents at a key place, think about the Red Sox and their pitching employees. Teams get uncovered over the course of an extended season.
3. Is this Pats protection as elite as some predicted? The Eagles supplied a powerful check, and the protection was as much as the problem. If the Patriots have hopes of going someplace this yr it’s going to depend upon much more days like Sunday.
4. Is time up for Bill Belichick? Tom Landry was fired. Andy Reid has been fired. Even Belichick has been fired. He wants 31 wins to go Don Shula, who Belichick was not a fan of, and he’s 71. Almost sufficiently old to run for president. If he flounders this season, he’d be at the very least two extra seasons away from catching Shula.
But, it’s only one recreation, and it wasn’t sudden that the Eagles would win it. No time to panic but.
But: Better beat Miami.
Source: www.bostonherald.com