The New England Patriots dropped to 1-5 following a tough 41-21 defeat against the Houston Texans in Week 6. Despite the loss, there were some encouraging signs, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. The game marked the first career start for rookie quarterback Drake Maye, and he showed a lot of promise. While Maye threw two interceptions and was sacked four times, he stayed composed, completing 20 of 33 passes for 243 yards and throwing three touchdowns. His potential as a future star quarterback was on full display, giving the offense a much-needed spark.
Jerod Mayo said the Patriots’ fundamentals and tackling have been a mess.
“You should feel like crap,” he told the defense. pic.twitter.com/hxGorpBWwx
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) October 13, 2024
On the defensive side, however, things were far less encouraging. Head coach Jerod Mayo, known for his defensive expertise, was visibly frustrated with the unit’s performance. In his post-game press conference, he expressed his dissatisfaction bluntly, stating that the defense should “feel like crap” after allowing the Texans to have their way on offense for most of the game. While the Patriots did manage to sack Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud twice and intercept him once, these were isolated moments in an overall poor defensive showing. Stroud and the Texans’ offense moved the ball at will, leaving New England’s defense looking outmatched and unable to produce consistent stops.
For the Patriots to turn their season around, their defense must improve significantly. Mayo, a former standout linebacker for New England, has high expectations for his defense and was clearly unhappy with their lackluster effort. The team’s defensive struggles were a stark contrast to the flashes of life shown by the offense, led by Maye’s strong debut. If the defense can elevate its play and the offense continues to build on its recent performance, the Patriots may have a chance to salvage their season.
Looking ahead, New England will face the Jacksonville Jaguars in London next week. It will be an opportunity for the defense to bounce back and for Maye to continue developing as the team’s quarterback. With Mayo’s pointed criticism of the defense, it’s clear that the team will need to show major improvements to avoid further disappointment. If both sides of the ball can come together, the Patriots could pick up some wins in the weeks to come. However, if the defensive woes persist, it may be difficult for New England to dig themselves out of the early hole they’ve found themselves in this season.
