Defenseless: New England Patriots' Awful Offense Negates Inspired Play
The New England Patriots' 2023 season has been nothing short of miserable, and unfortunately, Sunday's 6-0 loss against the Los Angeles Chargers was another dose of that misery.
Like nearly every other game this season, the Patriots' offense was nowhere to be seen. Bailey Zappe took over at quarterback for the struggling Mac Jones, but it hardly made a difference as he completed 13 of 25 passes for 141 yards as the Patriots were shut out for the second time this season.
Lost in New England's offensive mess was the fact that its defense played very well once again. The Patriots held the Chargers to just 241 yards, 29 rushing yards and six points, their lowest totals of the season on all three fronts.
While defensive players aren't making their grievances public, it's hard to imagine there isn't a sense of frustration when they're playing so well despite not getting results.
"We have got to play better complementary football," safety Julius Peppers told reporters after the game. "We just cannot play well on one side of the ball, whatever phase that is. We gave up a big punt return that got them in scoring position, then being aggressive got them in scoring position. As a defense, our job is to negate the lead."
Patriots safety Adrian Phillips tackles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler during a game in 2020.
Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images
It's not just defensive players feeling the frustration, but those on offense feeling for their counterparts as well.
"Super frustrating, not being able to go out there – defense holds them to six points and for us not to be able to go out there and put us anything on the board is tough," running back Ezekiel Elliott said. I feel bad for those guys on the defensive ball they've been playing. Good defense week after week. We've got to figure out how to make more plays on offense and give them some help."
To illustrate just how tough of a task the Patriots' defense has had, they have allowed 46 points over the last four games, an average of 11.5 points per contest, yet the team is 0-4 in said games.
It may not mean anything in the midst of the Patriots' worst season in 30 years, but their defense can feel proud about their performance.
