It's one thing to deliberately tank to improve your draft position, and it's another thing to lose with dignity and show your fans some pride.
You have to ask yourselves, where has the pride of the Patriots been during the team's recent four-game losing streak, which continued Sunday with a 30-17 loss to Arizona and it wasn't as close as it might seem. With every putrid loss, the glory days of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick winning Super Bowl after Super Bowl appears further away in New England's rearview mirror.
If the season ended today, the Patriots would pick third in next spring's draft. Given that the teams ahead of them - Las Vegas and the Giants - need quarterbacks, New England would have the inside track on Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter if that were to happen.
That's what most Patriots fans are hoping happens, along with quarterback Drake Maye staying healthy.
The Patriots need to finish the disastrous season like the team we've known for 20+ years
Even if the Patriots were to finish 3-14 - which is possible given the team finishes with Buffalo twice and the Chargers - they need to do so with pride and lose with dignity. That is something New England has not done during its losing streak.
There's been pathetic, scared coaching on the parts of Jerod Mayo and Alex Van Pelt. Defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington looks like a deer in the headlights. By the time Van Pelt gets aggressive with his play-calling, it's stat-padding time.
It's asking a lot for the Patriots to pull an upset over these final three games, given the Chargers are fighting for a playoff spot and the Bills are still mathematically alive for the top seed in the AFC. But pride is at stake and jobs are on the line.
The only jobs I'd consider safe are those of Maye, cornerback Christian Gonzalez, and tight end Hunter Henry. If these young receivers can't prove themselves against a Buffalo secondary that is vulnerable, the Kayshon Boutte and Javon Baker of the world could find themselves being odd men out next season, assuming the Patriots upgrade that part of the roster (as they need to).
Jonathan and Robert Kraft looked rightfully disgusted when CBS panned to him in the owner's box in Arizona on Sunday. You don't have to be a professional lip-reader to see that the younger Kraft is visibly frustrated with the play-calling on offense.
These last three games are more than just job interviews for the 2025 season. They're pride checks. It would be a smack in the face to see Bills Mafia take over Gillette Stadium in Week 18 the way Swifties have Arrowhead Stadium. Boston and New England loves winners, and while a potential 3-14 record is one many expected in August, continuing to lay eggs is not a good look.