Patriots lost to a team in Week 9 that already punted on the season

The Washington Commanders came into their Week 9 tilt versus the New England Patriots having traded their two best players, and the Patriots looked incredibly flat. Another week, another bad Patriots loss. The Commanders essentially punted on the 2023 NFL Season when they traded both Montez Sweat and Chase Young.

Teams who trade their two best players aren't looking to win many more games in a season. With their head coach, Ron Rivera, likely on the hot seat, this was a very vulnerable team coming into the game, and the Patriots laid the biggest of eggs. The offense managed 17 points against one of the worst defense in the NFL, and Mac Jones again showed very little.

The defense also got totally brutalized through the air, as Commanders' QB Sam Howell went 29/45 for 325 yards. At this point, it feels like we have the same conversations each week. Most of us probably justify believing that the Patriots can win in a given week, and yet, they continue to let us down.

I hate to say "I told ya so," but man, I did not have high hopes for this team. However, this team is even finding ways to negatively exceed my low expectations. I truly didn't think the New England Patriots would be this bad. Well, depending on where you stand, losing games might not be the worst thing ever. Currently, according to tankathon.com, the Patriots hold the 5th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, still keeping them on pace to land a true blue-chip prospect.

That is where this team is headed. They still have to play the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, and Kansas City Chiefs, among a few other opponents that are going to present some sort of difficulty. Well, Patriots Nation, I think it's about time we, ourselves, punt on the season and look to 2024.