Looking at the post-Brady Patriots, we know about 2020 and the Cam experiment gone awry yet they still salvaged a respectable 7-9 with good wins over the Raiders/Cardinals/Ravens (all .500 or better)
Last year had the Patricia/Judge offensive disaster, and we're seeing how things are playing out this year.
But in between, the 2021 team was flirting with the AFC #1 seed. The team started 2-4 but 3 of those games were winnable (OT vs Dallas, a redzone fumble vs MIA, Brady vs Belichick where Mac played well but a doinked FG did them in)
Then came a 7 game win streak including impressive wins vs the Chargers, Browns, Titans. The latter games saw Mac Jones thrown 3 TD's twice and the CLE game featured Jakobi Meyers finally catching a TD pass (he had previously thrown 2 TD's and caught 2 2PC's)
The peak for those Pats was that famous MNF wind game at Buffalo where Mac Jones didn't throw a lot but they got a long TD run and clutch late goal line stand got them to 9-4.
At that point, they were also the AFC #1 seed and there was talk of a possible TB/NE Brady vs Belichick SB.
But after that, it all went downhill.
Even off a bye and with a 2 game lead in the AFCE, they got dominated on a Saturday night in Indy by Jonathan Taylor- I mean the Colts- and then lost the Buffalo rematch where Josh Allen went Super Saiyan. Mac Jones also went from the OROY favorite to losing the award when those losses coincided with Ja'Marr Chase going bonkers vs KC/BAL
Then, in a playoff rematch in arctic cold weather that seemingly favored the Pats, Josh Allen went Ultimate Super Saiyan in the famous 'every drive was a TD except for kneeldowns at the end of each half' game.
Since that MNF Wind Game, New England is 11-21.
How did NE go from looking like they had their guy post-Brady to Mac basically being on the outs?
Was it REALLY as simple as McDaniels leaving? Or is there more to it?
Like Mac going from Brady heir apparent to barely better than Zach Wilson is something none of us would have guessed as recently as 2 years ago at this time.
I truly do believe people undervalue the mental aspect that happens to players when they perform poorly too and how it can effect their careers and performances. These are guys, for the most part, have been absolutely dominant their entire lives in order to get where they are. And you all of a sudden are on a team with Matt Patricia as your coach, in a fairly bad spot with little help around you. I do believe that can effect a player, some can shake it off. Particularly at QB. Some can’t. Mariota, Wentz still see ghosts and feels non-existent pressure after that Clowney hit and has never been the same sense, tons of examples over the years. Tannehill has been vocal about the mental aspects of shutting the bed against the Bengals a few years back and the backlash from fans.
Mac Jones looked legitimately good his rookie year and now looks like a shell of himself.