With all of Bill Belichick’s accomplishments over 20 years in New England, he’s by no means pulled this off earlier than.
The six-time Super Bowl champion – one of many best coaches in NFL historical past – had his gamers rallying to his protection in an try to finish a 5-sport shedding streak and even perhaps save his job.
“I just feel good we could get it done for Bill and the rest of the coaches,” security Jabrill Peppers instructed ESPN following the 21-18 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night time. “I don’t really like all the flak he’s been getting. Because it’s on us as players to go out and execute.”
The Patriots (3-10) scored three first-half touchdowns – as many as they’d had within the earlier 4 video games mixed – and held on for his or her first win since Week 7. In his second begin since Mac Jones was benched, Bailey Zappe threw for a profession-excessive three touchdowns, finishing 19 of 28 passes for 240 yards.
“We’ve been through a lot these past couple of weeks,” receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster stated. “For us, especially as an offense to go out and put points on the board, to help our defense out, (there’s) so much relief.”
Belichick, 71, has guided the Patriots to 6 NFL titles since arriving in New England in 2000, together with three different convention championships and 17 AFC East titles in 19 seasons for what is among the best dynasties of the league’s Super Bowl period. He has received 332 video games (together with playoffs), second on the NFL’s all-time victory listing behind Don Shula.
But Belichick’s pursuit of the longtime Miami mentor had stalled because the Patriots skidded to the underside of the AFC standings, and it’s now probably he’ll attempt to catch Shula from one other sideline subsequent season. Asked Friday about Peppers expressing his assist, Belichick stated: “Yeah, well, that’s great. But I would say the big thing for me is what I appreciate is what the players do every day.”
“Obviously, a level of frustration with the overall season. But, on a week-to-week basis, you kind of put that aside and focus on the week that you have,” he stated.
WHAT’S WORKING
The offense got here to life after scoring a complete of 13 factors within the earlier three video games, together with a 6-0 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday wherein it didn’t attain the purple zone. Hunter Henry had a pair of landing receptions, together with one spotlight-reel catch to make it 21-3 halfway by means of the second quarter. Ezekiel Elliott ran for 68 yards and likewise caught seven passes for 72 yards.
WHAT NEEDS WORK
The particular groups once more damage them, with a blocked punt establishing a Steelers landing that minimize the Patriots’ result in 21-18 with 11 minutes left within the sport. There was additionally a penalty with Pittsburgh lined as much as punt that seemed to be an offsides on New England’s Jahlani Tavai, which might have given the Steelers a primary down, however was inexplicably known as a false begin on the offense.
STOCK UP
With No. 1 working again Rhamondre Stevenson injured, Elliott had a season excessive of twenty-two carries and a landing catch. He additionally had his highest complete for receptions and receiving yards whereas offering his excessive in complete yards from scrimmage in additional than two years. Most importantly, Elliott chased down Mykal Walker after his third-quarter interception, pushing him out of bounds on the Patriots’ 16 and stopping a possible landing.
The Steelers turned the ball over on downs after going for it on fourth-and-2 from the 8, that means the seven factors saved may have been the distinction within the 21-18 rating.
“Zeke made a big play on the interception, keep them out of the end zone. Ended up getting a defensive stop on it. That was a huge play,” Belichick stated.
STOCK DOWN
The victory put the Patriots two video games behind – or is it forward of – Carolina (1-11) within the race for the No. 1 general decide within the 2024 draft. New England is tied for the second-worst file within the NFL with Arizona (which beat the Steelers on Sunday); the Patriots would decide earlier than the Cardinals (3-10) due to an inferior energy of schedule.
KEY NUMBER
3-1 – Zappe is 3-1 as an NFL starter, bettering to 1-1 this season after profitable each of his begins final season when Jones was injured.
NEXT STEPS
The Patriots didn’t fatten up on the comfortable a part of their schedule, going 1-4 in opposition to the Commanders, Colts, Giants, Chargers and Steelers. Now come the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs, adopted by the playoff-contending Broncos and Bills. The Kansas City sport was flexed out of “Monday Night Football” to keep away from a possible nationwide TV blowout.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
