New England Patriots (1-4) – New Orleans Saints (3-2): 0-34
The Patriots are in distress. They never had any illusions in this match. They were quite incapable of it.
Limited to 156 yards in attack, they chained punts (8) and turnovers (3), in a demonstration of mediocrity unworthy of the glorious past of the franchise. Not helped by an overwhelmed line, Mac Jones (12/22, 110 yards, 2 int) sank. Like a week ago, during another big defeat, he was even replaced at the end of the match by Bailey Zappe (3/9, 22 yards).
There was simply nothing for New England
Derek Carr and the Saints as in training
New Orleans started the game with two punts? Nevermind. Tyrann Mathieu intercepts Jones and scores the first touchdown of the match (0-7). Alvin Kamara (22 races, 80 yards, 1 TD – 3 rec, 17 yards) continues with an offensive touchdown to celebrate his return from suspension (0-14). Chris Olvave (2 rec, 12 yards, 1 TD) adds to the following series (0-21), and here the men of the bayou are in front 21-0 at the break. It’s already closed.
Returning from the locker room, Derek Carr (18/26, 183 yards, 2 TDs) and his gang continue their full-scale training. Always protected from any danger by their defense, they are first limited to a field goal (0-24), with a touchdown from Foster Moreau (0-31) and another kick (0-34). It doesn’t matter if there are a few punts in between all that.
Even Michael Thomas (4 rec, 65 yards) seems to be finding his legs!
The Saints kept the ball for almost 40 minutes. This therefore left only around twenty to New England, author of a terrible 1/14 on third attempts.
After the largest defeat of Bill Belichick’s entire career against the Cowboys, the Patriots have just followed up with… the second largest defeat of Bill Belichick’s career.
