Jerod Mayo has committed to ensuring that the second half of the season for the Patriots is centered on making significant progress towards a brighter future.
After an overtime defeat against the Titans last week, his team responded strongly with a 19-3 victory over the Chicago Bears, a performance that the rookie coach likened to their opening win against Cincinnati.
While this success doesn’t erase the struggles faced over the first ten games of the season for New England (3-7), it certainly provides a foundation for improvement.
Following their opening win, the Patriots endured six consecutive losses but have steered back on track by securing two victories in their last three matches.
Mayo expressed uncertainty about the exact factors that have contributed to this recent success, but he remains steadfast in his approach with the team.
“It’s about understanding the right formula and applying it consistently from game to game,” Mayo said. “This is our formula. I use this platform to inform you, but also to communicate with the players. So, players, this is the standard we need to uphold going forward.”
This victory marked the first as a starter for Drake Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, whose teammates highlighted his leadership during practice as instrumental in addressing their shortcomings.
“There are moments within the game where you realize how much a single play can alter the outcome,” Maye stated. “I was just trying to convey that message, and although I might have stumbled over my words, I believe the guys respected it.”
In terms of performance, after a poor showing against the Titans that ended with an interception, Maye rebounded effectively against Chicago.
He completed 15 of 25 passes for 184 yards and one interception, which may not seem spectacular. However, he executed flawlessly during a pivotal 10-play, 70-yard touchdown drive in the second quarter, culminating in a 2-yard touchdown pass to Ja’Lynn Polk.
On the flip side, the Patriots’ punt coverage team remains an area of concern as they continue to allow significant returns.
During Sunday’s matchup, New England’s initial punt was returned 38 yards by Chicago’s DeAndre Carter, following previous weeks where they surrendered big return plays, including a 96-yard touchdown return from Jacksonville’s Parker Washington in Week 7 and a 40-yard return to the Jets’ Xavier Gipson.
Highlighting the positives, the defensive line was a standout on Sunday. The front seven of New England put immense pressure on Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, accumulating nine sacks and limiting Chicago to a mere 142 total yards.
This marked New England’s highest sack total since November 6, 2022, against Indianapolis and ranks second in franchise history, trailing only an impressive 11-sack game against the Raiders on September 22, 1963.
On the other hand, wide receiver Kendrick Bourne faced a disappointing day. Although he was active, he did not see any playing time after participating in five consecutive games, including three starts.
Injury concerns emerged as well, with defensive tackle Deatrich Wise, who had two sacks, being helped off the field in the game’s closing moments. Defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy (neck) and cornerback Marcellas Dial Jr. (head) also sustained injuries.
An important note is that prior to this game, the Patriots were positioned first in the 2025 NFL draft order, but this win pushed them down to the seventh spot.
Looking ahead, New England will welcome the Los Angeles Rams next Sunday.