The Patriots have hit “rock bottom” extra instances this season than Wile E. Coyote bouncing down a cliff.
They are usually not going to expire of “rocks” or “bottoms” any time quickly.
Sunday, the Chargers zapped Zappe & Company in a 6-0 soulless loss. By now these Patriots are the primary group because the mighty 1938 Chicago Cardinals to permit 10 factors or fewer in three straight video games solely to lose all three.
Rock backside?
Yes. For now.
But the Patriots are in line for a string of upcoming “rock bottoms” that might go away them so deep they’ll emerge in China.
Thursday, the Patriots go to Pittsburgh. This roster is so devoid of expertise that the Amazon Prime hype slide final week featured a picture of Bill Belichick as probably the most notable Patriot.
Sadly, neither Samuel Adams, Sam Adams, John Adams, nor Julius Adams remains to be with us. This nationally televised sport is ready to characteristic Zappe and Mitch Trubisky because the beginning quarterbacks.
The factors complete for Thursday’s sport as of this writing was 30. The quantity popped at 32.5 on
Sunday, solely to be guess right down to its present standing. A detailed of 30 factors can be the bottom such
over/below in an NFL sport because the Supreme Court cleared the way in which for nationwide sports activities
betting in 2018.
It would tie for the bottom factors complete because the quantity was placed on the Steelers-Bears on Dec. 11, 2005. The Steelers gained that sport 21-9 for a push on the full within the snow and wind of Pittsburgh.
A numerical “rock bottom” for many who get pleasure from wagering responsibly.
Zappe was the fiftieth completely different beginning QB used this season within the NFL. That QB carousel is one main motive betting the below has been so worthwhile throughout the NFL this season. Unders are hitting at 57.3% clip via Week 13.
The Patriots and Steelers are doing their half. They are a mixed 5-19 on the below this season. New England is 9-3 on the subject of video games ending beneath the protected level complete.
A Patriots loss or tie Thursday evening mathematically eliminates New England from the playoff image. The Patriots have been theoretically from Super Bowl consideration once they opted to not signal Tom Brady for 2 years forward of the 2019 season.
Even with a win on Thursday, the Patriots might additionally formally discover themselves on the clock for the 2024 if one of many following happens on Sunday:
— Bengals beat Colts
— Texans beat Jets
— Raiders bear Vikings AND Bills beat/tie Chiefs
— Raiders tie and Bills win
Study up. This will likely be a quiz on the finish of this column.
Another “rock bottom.” But solely a brief one.
The Patriots’ Monday evening sport initially set for Dec. 18 was flexed again to the day prior to this at 1 p.m. This is the primary season the NFL permits Monday evening video games to be flexed. And the Patriots maintain the distinction of being the first-ever group to be flexed out of that spot.
Think for a second of simply how unwatchable ESPN/ABC and the powers that be on Park Avenue
have deemed the Patriots. The candy scent of Patrick Mahomes and the defending Super Bowl
champion Chiefs can not offset the stench that the Patriots carry to any TV viewers.
Not even the potential presence of Taylor Swift cheering on her beau Travis Kelce from a luxurious
field in “Foxy Foxboro” might hold this sport in prime time.
Given the more-probable-than-not playoff elimination of the Patriots this week, that contest towards the Chiefs might be the primary sport within the historical past of Gillette Stadium with fan(s) in attendance that includes a Patriots group mathematically out of the postseason image.
The Patriots have been eradicated earlier than their ultimate two residence video games in 2020, however these video games have been
devoid of an in-person viewing viewers as a result of COVID-19.
But wait, there’s extra.
In Week 16, the Patriots go to the Broncos within the Mile High City on Dec. 24 That sport kicks off at 8:15 p.m. EST.
A snowy Christmas Eve on the foot of the Rockies. The good setting for an additional dysfunctional vacation season. Uncle Bobby will little doubt be absolutely lubricated and infuriated by halftime, having as soon as once more taken the Patriots and the factors.
We’ll not must think about if Brady was by no means born. The Pottersville Patriots come full with all of the Ghosts of Christmas previous. Ebenezer Belichick joins the notable listing of Christmas grinches together with Harry and Marv, Fulton Greenway, Scut Farkus, Heat Miser and Hans Gruber.
Look for the Bill O’Brien Chorus to carry out a 60-minute model of “Silent Night.”
“Rock bottom” sufficient for you?
Not right here. On New Year’s Eve, the Patriots go to Orchard Park, N.Y., to ring out the outdated yr towards the all of the sudden woeful Buffalo Bills. New England beat Buffalo 29-25 in Week 7. A repeat efficiency might nicely value this group a shot at drafting the newest “can’t miss QB.”
Or stop Belichick from buying and selling that No. 2 or No. 3 total choose for six third-rounders and the
lengthy snapper from the Coast Guard Academy.
The season mercifully closes at residence towards the Jets on Jan. 7. By this time, Richard Todd could also be quarterbacking the Jets. It’s now clear that Aaron Rodgers gained’t be, regardless of his continued comeback push. Maura Healey must problem an govt order that bans kids and pets from viewing in individual or on TV.
This matchup might nicely drive secondary-market ticket costs into the only digits – one other new low for the Robert Kraft-owned model of this franchise.
Patriots tickets for $1?
Now that’s a “rock bottom” for the ages.
Bill Speros (@RealOBF and @BillSperos on X) will be reached at [email protected]
Source: www.bostonherald.com