After a series of major offseason changes, including parting ways with legendary coach Bill Belichick and trading quarterback Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the New England Patriots were expected to face challenges during the 2024 NFL season.
Surprisingly, the Patriots started the season strong with a stunning Week 1 upset over the Cincinnati Bengals, a team considered to be a Super Bowl contender. However, the momentum quickly faded as New England dropped three straight games, revealing the struggles that new head coach Jerod Mayo and his team faced.
Heading into their Week 5 matchup against the division-rival Miami Dolphins, the Patriots are dealing with internal challenges. Rumors suggest that some players are pushing for rookie quarterback Drake Maye to start over veteran Jacoby Brissett, who has been underperforming.
On top of these issues, the Patriots are also plagued by injuries. Thirteen players are on the injury report for Sunday’s game, with 12 listed as questionable and one as doubtful, according to Savage Sports. This adds another layer of difficulty for Mayo, who is already facing pressure to turn things around in his debut season.
Sweet mother of God pic.twitter.com/RZR4Q12hQo
— Savage (@SavageSports_) October 4, 2024
Fortunately, the Dolphins have their own struggles. Head coach Mike McDaniel has been dealing with setbacks, including star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s absence due to a concussion suffered in Week 2. Both teams will be looking to overcome these challenges in their critical Week 5 showdown.
