PostGame Thread OFFICIAL 2023 Post Game Thread: Week 16 - NE @ DEN

[vicspats]

Wouldn’t it be awesome 3 years from now and it’s Zappe getting us to the Super Bowl ? I bet there would still be some chuckleheads wanting to replace him for an unproven kid out of east bum **** college cause the drafniks say the kid is generational talent !! Let’s go Pats !!!

 

[TheRainMaker]

Pats are still picking 3rd. No need to freak out they won tonight. Edit: 4th pick now.

They just ruined the Broncos season.

Crack open your favorite drink and enjoy the rest of your Christmas Eve.

 

[Ross12]

Taking a first round QB is so risky. If you get Mahomes, great. But so many are not. And if you miss, it kills your team for 3-5 years.

We just went through it with Mac.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

Daniels is the type of guy who would’ve fallen to around 10 a few years ago but not these days.

I have concerns about his mental ability, but zero on his physical attributes.

Be interesting to see how he interviews.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

Pats are still picking 3rd. No need to freak out they won tonight.

4th. Wash jumped us.

 

[TheRainMaker]

4th. Wash jumped us.

Commando’s beat the Pats. They own the tie breaker.

 

[The Gr8est]

I stand behind my plan I posted in the main game day thread:

Zappe as the starter in 2024 + draft Joe Alt + sign Mike Evans + keep Onwenu, Henry, Bourne, see what happens

If the Pats get the 5th pick, they are guaranteed to get one of the top two QBs, Harrison, or one of the franchise OTs.

 

[Lavictoire]

I was on the road so had to listen to the game on Sirius XM. The NFL channel had the Broncos feed, and they spent the entire game talking like they were seeing vintage Patriots. Tremendous respect for Belichick, statements like ”no team in the NFL is better at halftime adjustments“, etc.

very refreshing to hear such positive comments especially from the opponent’s broadcast team.

i have nfl+ sometimes i switch to the other teams feed and hear nothing but respect for the patriots by their broadcasters.

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

Commando’s beat the Pats. They own the tie breaker.

SOS tiebreaker

 

[Hyped]

Commando’s beat the Pats. They own the tie breaker.

Strength of schedule. Miami beating Dallas hurt us in that regard I think...

I have never looked at tie breakers from the bottom to up before tho....

 

[Ross12]

The same thing was said when Trubisky was at #2 in the 2017 draft, and when Darnold was #2 in the 2018 draft, and when San Fran traded up to #3 for Lance in the 2021 draft. "Huge gap" is the same projection over and over. Some people have no shame and regurgitate the same message year after year even though history tells a different story. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result.

I think Penix is right up there too but has injury concerns. People seem to forget Jordan Travis these days due to his injury. Quinn Ewers is solid. Bo Nix has some developmental potential. All guys you can get a little later.

 

[rogerthat]

Defense will be great in 2024. Offense needs a lot but they will need to spend tons of cash plus have high picks. If they decide to keep rolling with Zappe and use their 1st on a different offensive position then it helps a lot in the short term. I would still target a QB in the 3rd to develop. Maybe Mac fetches a 3rd and you use that pick. Maybe you keep developing Rourke.

If Max fetched a 7th I would be surprised- forget getting a 3rd for him.

 

[The Gr8est]

Yep, I hate to say it (even though I’ve been saying it since last year), not starting Zappe in that Bears game last year is Belichick’s worst decision of all-time. I don’t want him fired, but I would say I wouldn’t necessarily disagree if you told me you were firing Belichick because he gave Mac Jones legitimately the longest leash of all time.

Mac Jones has literally sent this franchise into a tailspin.


-There is zero doubt had Zappe started the Bears game and moving forward we would have made the playoffs last year. We would have won at least one of the Vikings, Bengals, or Raiders games.


-Destroyed Patricia’s reputation and cost him his job. People forget the offense looked good last year when Zappe got the start.

-Cost us at least being in the competition for a playoff spot this year.

-Ultimately, and most importantly, Mac Jones is apparently going to cost Bill Belichick his job.

Why is everyone so certain BB is gone?

 

[Patriot Missile]

It’s crazy around here. We can’t win a game and be happy about it, we can’t lose a game and be happy about it. It is what it is. All I know is they are going to still get a good player whether it be Alt, Fashanu, Nabers, Daniels, Latu, Odonze etc. whatever happens, happens, fans have no control over it.

 

[TheRainMaker]

4th. Wash jumped us.

SOS tiebreaker

Reverse strength of schedule is why they jumped them. Dumb.

2024 NFL Draft order: How Pats' upset in Denver impacts pick position

The Patriots’ surprising win over the Broncos on Christmas Eve had massive implications for their pick position in the 2024 NFL Draft.

www.nbcsportsboston.com

 

[n1997y]

The dirty little secret is the have built a pretty darn good defense and are going to add to it next year before they draft a single player. Zappe won a game late on the road in a stadium that is a house of horrors for NE. Impressed - yeah. Give the guy some confidence and who knows. Hell, he got released and nobody wanted him. He probably is an FU mood vis a vis the entire league.

Don't need to give him confidence. He had enough to tell his college coach “I’m going to start for the Patriots” after being cut by them.

I don’t understand why so many are so sure…

We’ve seen flashes from this kid and if he continues to improve he could very well be another Purdy.

His confidence in responding to being cut by telling his college coach “I’m going to start for the Patriots” is Brady-esque. Reminiscent of “I’m the best decision this organization ever made.” That confidence is really the most important trait for a QB. If Zappe works as hard at improving himself as he possibly can he’ll likely turn into a decent NFL starter, especially if he’s got a decent team around him.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Why is everyone so certain BB is gone?

The chatter has died down. Unless there’s a trade, he stays.

 

[NFL Mystique]

Commando’s beat the Pats. They own the tie breaker.

SOS

Wsh does face tougher opponents than NE in weeks 17/18. So if both lose out, I don't know how it shakes out.

The frustrating thing is that these teams picking at the top do need QB's. And AZ won't pass on MHJ.

 

[n1997y]

Bears aren't passing on Williams. Why would AZ pass on MHJ and trade that pick? WSH desperately needs a QB. They would take Maye/Daniels. Tennesse would take whoever Wsh didn't.

Titans likely aren't winning again. And would have the schedule advantage over NE at season's end. Assuming both end with 5 wins.

Where does NE get their QB now?

In their locker room.

 

[NFL Mystique]

Don't need to give him confidence. He had enough to tell his college coach “I’m going to start for the Patriots” after being cut by them.

His confidence in responding to being cut by telling his college coach “I’m going to start for the Patriots” is Brady-esque. Reminiscent of “I’m the best decision this organization ever made.” That confidence is really the most important trait for a QB. If Zappe works as hard at improving himself as he possibly can he’ll likely turn into a decent NFL starter, especially if he’s got a decent team around him.

What is "decent though"?

The AFC is loaded with top tier QB's. That is alot to overcome.