1-5 Patriots’ morale being tested, but players are focused on improving،
LAS VEGAS – In a shocking turn that few saw coming, the New England Patriots are 1-5 for the first time since 1995, which was Robert Kraft’s second year in charge of the team.
The players looked inward after Sunday’s 21-17 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, knowing they’ve dug themselves into a major hole, sitting in last place in the AFC East with divisional games against the Las Vegas Bills Buffalo (4-2) and the Miami Dolphins. (5-1) the next two weeks.
I think we’re good, man. It’s a good test for us,” seven-year veteran wide receiver Kendrick Bourne said. “It’s up to us to look in the mirror and see who we are individually and what we’re going to bring to the table each day.
“Are we just going to stop and come to work just to work? Or are we going to come to work to actually work and put in the effort so we can change things? If we have guys coming in like that, I think it’s going to change.”
Even if that changes, the Patriots hardly look like a contending team, putting them in danger of finishing in last place in the AFC East for the first time since 2000, Bill Belichick’s first year as coach . Only the Steelers have a longer active streak without finishing in last place in the division (1998).
The Patriots are the only team that has not scored more than 20 points in a game this season.
When asked to assess the team’s morale Sunday, quarterback Mac Jones said: “Obviously we just lost, so it’s not good. But I think we have a very good group of guys, and if we choose to react in the right way, then it will be really good. If we don’t, it will go the other way.
“I know I’m always going to be positive. That’s my goal. Try to work hard like I did and bring people with me. I know we said it, and the results have not …I guess maybe look at the process and see what we need to change to improve.
Among the Patriots’ losses against the Raiders were self-inflicted wounds. Belichick said he was going to take a closer look at the team’s 10 penalties for 79 yards — including two on the first two offensive plays and three when the offense was trying to score a game-winning field goal late in the fourth. quarter – which he said was not a “good formula”.
Additionally, the sloppy performance came after a week where Belichick said the team was going to “start over” and focus on more fundamentals.
“We work really hard and we’ve put a lot of emphasis on it,” Jones said. “I like to put them in different categories. Was it a forced penalty? Or did you go for it and they just called it? Unforced penalties are the ones you want to take away, and we have too many – penalties, turnovers, all that.
“We definitely have to get better, but we have to keep swinging. If you don’t swing, you’re not going to get any hits.”
The early season drop also raises the question of how the Patriots will approach the Oct. 31 trade deadline. They’re usually looking to add players, but that’s because they’re usually in contention for a playoff spot.
The players were still mulling over their rankings after Sunday’s loss, recognizing they needed to look beyond their 1-5 record.
“You have to love this game. You have to do your best every time you get an opportunity to step on the field,” running back Rhamondre Stevenson said. “So I would just say it just starts within, and just being your own leader and following the guys that are doing it well. And move on to the next play, the next day, and just keep your head up and stay. work hard.”
