NFL Season Challenging for New England Patriots Under Jerod Mayo
The New England Patriots have struggled mightily under the guidance of first-year head coach Jerod Mayo, compiling a 3-13 record to date. In their most recent loss, they were defeated at home by 40 points, prompting fans to chant “Fire Mayo.” A Patriots linebacker, Jahlani Tavai, responded defensively to the backlash, stating, “They’re not qualified to do what Mayo is doing, or whatever the Pats are doing. They’re fans, and I appreciate them at times, but sometimes they just gotta know their place and just understand that it’s a work in progress.”
The Patriots are relying on the growth model of the Detroit Lions, who went through a similar dismal season under Coach Dan Campbell and have since recovered to become playoff contenders. As a former member of the Lions, Tavai has a familiarity with their early struggles and draws inspiration from their turnaround.
While the Patriots continue to struggle on defense, their unit is permitting an average of 216.7 passing yards, 131.4 rushing yards, 348.7 total yards, and 25.1 points per game, ranking 23rd and 26th, respectively, in the NFL.
The Patriots close out the season with a final home game against the Buffalo Bills, who enter with a strong 13-3 record.
