Week 8: Pats/Fins

     

    Incase anybody drank the Kool Aid, the highlight of the season the week 7 upset against the Buffalo Bills, welcome back to reality. The New England Patriots had a shot if they won this game to right the ship to their fans, to show the Foxborough Faithful that this year was not for naught, but for meaning. 

    The product on the field at this point is an absolute disgrace, The Patriots lost 31-17 to the Miami Dolphins and fall to 2-6 on the season. To make it even worse, your best wide receiver is out for the season. Kendrick Bourne suffered a torn ACL effectively ending his season. With the subpar season Rhamondre Stevenson has had Bourne has been the best offensive player for the Patriots this season.

    Christian Gonzales, Matthew Judon, and Kendrick Bourne, the Patriots 3 best players will miss significant time during the 2023 season. An absolute tragic chapter to a horror story that looks to never end. Mac Jones threw another inexcusable pick, in this game to veteran superstar Jalen Ramsey. Stevenson rushed for 39 yards, Elliot rushed for 36 yards, the Pats just could not establish the run in this game. Looking at the tight ends, Pharoah Brown has emerged as a challenger to Hunter Henry for targets, along with Mike Gesicki becoming less and less of an offensively productive player. 

    As bad as the offense was, and they definitely stunk up the joint. The defense got obliterated by the Miami Dolphins. Tyreek Hill would break the ankles of JC Jackson so hard, Jackson was forced to play conservatively to avoid embarrassment. When Tyreek Hill was not eating JC Jackson's lunch Jaylen Waddle was feasting on Jonathon Jones. Tyreek Hill went for 112 yards receiving, and Waddle hit 121 yards receiving. Pure video game numbers in comparison to the New England Patriots.

    The bright spot of this game was Kyle Dugger who had his best game of the season with a monster Sack on a safety blitz. Along with the sack Dugger got a pick and completed 6 tackles in the matchup. Showing he still can play. Dugger was getting owned all season especially against the Buffalo Bills, but he responded in a big way in this matchup. 

    Following the blowout in Hard Rock stadium there were serious questions to be asked regarding the Patriots going into the trade deadline. It looks like this team is going nowhere, there are players on expiring contracts. Patriots that were drafted, Mike Onwenu, Kyle Dugger, and Josh Uche. Onwenu has become the key to rebuilding the offense line. Kyle Dugger will be looking for top safety money in the off season, along with Josh Uche who looks to be a pass rushing specialist that comes with flaws. The question comes down to if the Patriots are willing to spend to retain these players and then after you retain the players you already have how will you improve the team. There is no denying it the team has talent decencies on the offensive end. 

    The Patriots head back to Foxborough to host the Sam Howell and the Washington Commanders in what could be an entertaining matchup. The Commanders at this point I would say are a better team and should be advantaged. They don't come without flaws however, Sam Howell is a spark young QB that is nothing less than afraid to make the plays to win a game. He also can throw it away if Jonathon, Jack and JC can bounce back in a big way... there is possibility that the Patriots Defense could make it a game going into the 4th quarter.