After yet another abysmal performance in Week 8 against the Miami Dolphins, the New England Patriots are now 2-6. Yet again, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was asked about quarterback Mac Jones’ status as the team’s start after he struggled mightily during the game.
“We all need to play better. We all need to coach and play better,” Belichick stated in his postgame comments.
While Belichick didn’t say changes are on the horizon, it wasn’t exactly a vote of confidence in his young signal-caller.
Jones completed 19 of his 29 pass attempts for 161 yards in addition to two touchdowns and an interception. This is the third time in eight games this season that Jones has failed to reach 200 passing yards in a game.
Moreover, Jones’ two touchdown passes mark just the third time in the same eight-game span that he’s thrown multiple touchdown passes in a game. In other words, consistent offensive production has been tough to come by for Jones and the Patriots.
After being routed 31-17 at Hard Rock Stadium by their divisional rival Dolphins, the Patriots now have the worst record in the AFC. While Jones has left much to be desired, the lack of viable alternatives has kept him entrenched as the team’s starting quarterback.
As Belichick alluded to in his postgame comments, he, Jones, and the rest of the Patriots need to play/coach better and do it quickly if they want to turn their season around. Their next opportunity to do so will be in Week 9 when the Patriots host the Washington Commanders.
