The Patriots were hopeful at the start of Sunday's game in London. Then they got stepped on by the Jaguars. Quite literally.
And Jerod Mayo didn't like it.
“We are a soft team overall,” explained the coach at a press conference. “What makes a strong team is being able to run, stop the run and cover kicks. We didn't do any of that. »
New England gained only 38 yards on the ground, compared to 171 for Jacksonville, which even allowed itself to run 16 times in a row at one point in the match!
On special teams, the Pats conceded a 96-yard punt return which ended up turning the game around. But how did the Patriots get here?
“I have to think about it. We have a long flight home. We didn't suddenly start doing things differently and boom, we're a soft team. It's just that the guys need to get their mentality back. »
Players with Jerod Mayo
The good news is that Jerod Mayo did not shock his players.
“Coach Mayo is not going to tell you anything he hasn’t already told us in the locker room,” recalled Drake Maye.
Now is the time for revolt.
“He said it well and we have to look in the mirror to understand what he means”assures linebacker Jahlani Tavai. “If we're happy to be soft, then some are going to be pushed aside, and the rest of us, those who want to prove him wrong, are going to raise our game. »
After a season-opening victory, the Patriots lost six straight.
