Patriots Afterthoughts - A New England Patriots Fan Podcast

Was it pretty? Did it need to be? Hell, at this point a win is a win is a win. Offense line did way better than anyone would've thought. The defense...well, they were a lot better in the second half. And Mac, wasn't perfect, but put together enough drives to put them in position to tie the game and then kick that final field goal to put them back in the win column with a 25-22 win in Houston.

I wonder if anyone knew that Tom Brady was coming back to New England this Sunday Night? Well, let me tell you something - I was there and I saw a great game that just didn't end the way I had hoped. A valiant effort against the Super Bowl champs and the returning TB12, but not enough as the Patriots fall to 1-3 in this 2021 season.

But that next page is going to be very annoying - so I took a few minutes to at least recap some of my thoughts. Go Pats!

It's always good to beat the Jets! First win of the year. First win of Mac's career. Win in the division on the road? Tied for first in the division? Sure, I'll take it. Are the Jets good? No, but I don't care. Just win baby!

Go Pats!

Silver linings. That's how I am choosing to look at today's Patriots loss. Silver linings. Sure they didn't get the job done and they only scored 16 points. Sure there were too many penalties and too many turnovers (one specifically) - but they were in a position to win this one AND more importantly than anything, Mac Jones looked good in his start (29/39 for 281 yards, a TD and no picks). And he started looking better as the game went on. It's a shame things didn't work out for him in his first start, but my hope is this is just the beginning.

Go Pats!

The preseason is OVER. Now we have to wait almost two weeks to get real Patriots action. In the meantime, I talk a little about the Giants preseason win that happened yesterday.

But yeah, the preseason is over. BRING ON THE SEASON!

Okay, sure the Eagles barely dressed their first stringers, and yes this is the pre-season I am well aware. That being said it was nice to see both Cam and Mac have good days behind center. It was nice to see the defense dominate. It was nice to see plays being executed successfully.

I am so ready for this season to start.

I know, I know - it's only the preseason. But you can't tell me this one isn't different. You can't tell me this one doesn't feel different. Hell, we didn't even get one of these last year and we all know why. And now, this year we have the new format of 3 preseason games and 17 regular season games. Oh and we have a first round rookie quarterback getting his first live NFL action.

Yeah this is different. And while Cam Newton is still the starting quarterback at this exact moment, you can't help but be hopeful by what we saw from rookie Mac Jones tonight. He is the future of this team, or at least that's the plan. Will he be the future? Will the future come sooner than you think?

Only time will tell, but I'll say one thing - football is back baybay!

Mike is back to bring you IN DEPTH COVERAGE of the Patriots draft. In under 3 minutes. And remember, he knows as much as all the experts do.

It's been a long time since the Patriots final game of the season ending in victory wasn't followed by a parade...But hey, at least it ended on somewhat of a high note. See you next season.