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3 winners and 3 losers from the Patriots' brutal Week 7 loss to the Jaguars

This was a winnable game for the Patriots, and they flat-out stunk. It's as simple as that. Drake Maye shined again, but this team just flat-out stunk.

By Ryan McLaughlin

Oct 20, 2024; London, United Kingdom; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) throws the ball in the first half during an NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-Imagn Images
Oct 20, 2024; London, United Kingdom; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) throws the ball in the first half during an NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-Imagn Images / Peter van den Berg-Imagn Images
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Sunday afternoon's game against the Jaguars in London was one the Patriots had a chance to win and break their five-game losing streak. Unfortunately, that did not happen, and the pitiful Jaguars mauled the even more pitiful Patriots 32-16 at Wembley Stadium.

It was a performance former coach Bill Belichick would just mutter "bad coaching, bad playing, and bad everything" when analyzing it because that's exactly what it was.

It's going to be tough to pick three winners from a game that didn't bear any resemblance to that, but here we go.

3 winners from the Patriots' loss to the Jaguars

1. Drake Maye

It was the second straight solid performance for the rookie - 276 yards passing and two touchdowns - even though the guys around Maye didn't do much. A big factor that won't reflect in the win column this season is Maye's development.

While he struggled in the middle of the game after leading the Patriots to a touchdown and a field goal on their first two drives, Maye continues to show that New England made the right choice in drafting him third overall in April.

2. Hunter Henry

The veteran tight end was clearly Maye's favorite target on Sunday, coming away with eight receptions for 92 yards on nine targets. Henry gives Maye a versatile, talented target in all areas of the field, and the Patriots will need him to play games like this if they want to turn things around.

Look for Henry to remain a security blanket for Maye as the season progresses.

3. The offensive line

It's hard to find a third winner in such an embarrassing loss, but we'll go with the offensive line. The unit allowed only two sacks against the Jaguars, and they'll certainly be bolstered when Cole Strange is healthy and able to play. Hopefully, this unit continues to find consistency as the season goes along.

3 losers from the Patriots' loss to the Jaguars on Sunday

1. Jerod Mayo

Could this be the worst Patriots' coaching staff since the 1-15 disaster "led" by Rod Rust in 1990? I love Mayo, but it sure looks like it.

After Sunday's game, Mayo called his team soft in the postgame press conference. While he's not wrong, throwing guys under the bus in the media isn't the way to win over your players. Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt could've been put here, too, but the offense has looked better since Maye took over.

2. The entire defense

This banged-up unit made Trevor Lawrence (15-20, 193 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions) look like the second coming of Mark Brunell. This unit was supposed to be the Patriots' strength coming into this season, but it has been on roller skates during the team's six-game losing streak.

Losing Matthew Judon (trade), Christian Barmore (blood clots), Jabrill Peppers (arrested), and Ja'Whaun Bentley (injured reserve) hasn't helped, but other guys need to step up. The Patriots also allowed 171 yards rushing, which is uninspiring.

3. Rhamondre Stevenson

After missing last week's loss to Houston with a foot injury, Stevenson was on a milk carton Sunday, missing from New England's offense. He finished with 18 yards on seven carries and needs to be better to accelerate the development of Maye.

This offense cannot be one-dimensional with a rookie quarterback, and that starts with Stevenson and Alex Van Pelt's play-calling.

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