Another Slow Start Dooms New England Patriots vs. New Orleans Saints
Through five games, it's hard to call the New England Patriots' 2023 season anything other than a disaster.
The Patriots are 1-4 for the first time since 2000, their first season under longtime coach Bill Belichick. Beyond that, though, the way they've been losing games has been incredibly deflating. In back-to-back blowout losses to the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints, the Patriots have been outscored 72-3 with quarterback Mac Jones being benched in both games.
Of the many things the Patriots have struggled with this season, perhaps the most concerning is just how poorly they've started out games. In all four of their losses this season, the Patriots have fallen behind by multiple scores in the first half, and on all four occasions, it's been too much to overcome. Those deficits include trailing 16-0 against the Philadelphia Eagles, 17-3 against the Miami Dolphins, 28-3 against the Cowboys and now 21-0 against the Saints.
Against the Eagles and Dolphins, the Patriots were at least able to fight back and make the game competitive. On the other hand, the games against the Cowboys and Saints spiraled out of control, leading to two of the worst losses in the Belichick era.
Jones is sacked during Sunday's game against the Saints.
Furthermore, the Patriots have "achieved" a dubious feat that they haven't done in almost 30 years. According to Pro Football Talk, this marks the first time the Patriots have fallen behind by 21 or more points in consecutive games since 1996. That season, though, New England went 11-5, won the AFC East and made it to Super Bowl 31. Unless something changes drastically, that won't be the case for the 2023 team.
With the Patriots seemingly in a tailspin, one can't help but wonder how long it is before the team makes major changes. Regardless of who's at fault for this situation, falling behind so early and so often is simply not a winning formula.
