“Patriots in Crisis: Coach Questions Team’s Attitude as Running Game Flounders in Shocking Loss to Titans”
The New England Patriots have been clear about their goals for the 2024 season: they aim to strengthen their running game on offense while also bolstering their run defense. Although they displayed some promise in these areas early in the season, recent performances have been disappointing. Their latest setback, a 20-17 overtime loss to the Tennessee Titans, prompted head coach Jerod Mayo to openly question his team’s attitude and mentality.
Mayo emphasized that success in both running and stopping the run is fundamentally tied to the team’s attitude. He remarked, “It starts with your attitude. It starts with your mentality. We just have to do better on both sides of the ball.” This isn’t the first time Mayo has highlighted the team’s struggles in the running game; after a Week 7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, he described the team as soft “across the board.”
Against the Titans, who only had one win, the Patriots struggled significantly again. Their offense had trouble gaining ground, with only quarterback Drake Maye finding success on scrambles—he rushed for 95 yards on eight attempts. The running backs—Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, and JaMycal Hasty—managed just 15 yards on 12 carries, although Stevenson did score a touchdown.
Mayo expressed frustration, stating, “We’ve got to be able to run the football. Obviously, that was disappointing. We need to move guys off the line.” He acknowledged that the Titans’ defensive line, particularly Jeffery Simmons, posed a challenge that they were unprepared for, emphasizing the need to perform better against opposing rushers.
The offensive line’s struggles stemmed from a recent reshuffle. Instead of last week’s starting lineup, the Patriots inserted rookie Layden Robinson at right guard and moved Michael Onwenu back to right tackle. This new alignment faltered, with the team recording only 8 yards on five non-scramble running plays before Robinson was benched in the second quarter. As a result, the Patriots have failed to surpass 100 rushing yards in four consecutive games and six out of nine this season, a significant disappointment for a team that had focused on its running game during the offseason.
Similarly, the defense needs to improve its mentality. Mayo commented on their “leaky run defense,” noting the importance of fundamentals and tackling, which he believes require further attention. Since losing linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley in Week 2, the Patriots have allowed every opponent to rush for over 100 yards, extending this streak to seven games, including the Titans’ 167-yard performance on Sunday.