The dang Patriots are struggling, nothing new there. They dropped another game, this time against the Giants, bringing their record to 4-10. Quarterback Mac Jones got benched after serving up two interceptions, while his replacement, Bailey Zappe, had a pick of his own. Kicker Chad Ryland had a chance to tie it up with five ticks left, but he missed from 35 yards out. Yikes, Patriots, yikes.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars celebrated another victory, this time over the Texans. They now lead the AFC South with an 8-4 record, securing a comfortable cushion in the playoff race. Trevor Lawrence played a key role, leading the team to a 24-21 victory. The Texans, led by young quarterback CJ Stroud, came close but missed a 58-yard field goal attempt with seconds left. They're now 6-5, still in the hunt but trailing the Jags.
The Bengals, without Joe Burrow, stumbled once more, losing to the Steelers 10-16. They're now 4-8, struggling at the bottom of the AFC North. The Steelers, meanwhile, are in the mix with the Ravens and Browns.
As for the Patriots, their woes persist. Their offense isn't producing enough, their quarterback situation is shaky, their pass rush weak, and their wide receiver depth thin. They finished the 2024 season 4-13, their second straight losing season. The organisation has made big changes, hiring a new head coach and retaining a new coaching staff. But fans are left wondering if they can turn things around.
ESPN's 2025 power ranking has them at 24th, not exactly inspiring confidence. But the team has over $120 million in salary cap space, so they're expected to make some big moves in the offseason to shake things up. They're looking at younger players to inject some vitality into the team.
Sources:
- NFL Game Recap:
- The Patriots' Offseason Fixes:
- 2024 NFL Power Rankings:
- Salary Cap Space:
