What gives me pause about the Patriots right now is that they played like they were badly coached for much of the year.
What was Belichick supposed to deliver? Strong defense, strong special teams, minimize mistakes, let the other guy beat themselves, play smart and disciplined. Mac having growing pains was expected, injuries happen, COVID happens, et cetera, but the constant was supposed to be tough, smart, clean football.
Yet this was the sloppiest, most undisciplined and frankly just softest Patriots team I can remember since 2009 or something. Jones avoided most of the rookie pitfalls, they had some talent (even if it wasn't worth the FA $ spent to get it...) but this team often just looked DUMB.
As I said earlier, losing to the Bills wasn't the problem. A 10-7 team getting whipped like that is more than just the other guys having some more talent, they quit.