How does the narrative change?
Let’s assume the Pats win and Mac has a solid game. Nothing heroic, no last drive comeback. Just a clean win.
How does the fanbase and media start talking about this team and about Mac as the guy moving forward?
We know weeks 1 & 2 were winnable games but we also know Bill Belichick had two of his worst losses of his career in weeks 4 & 5.
Patriots would be 3-5, 3-1 within the division. The schedule gets much easier from here with the Commanders, Colts and Giants on deck.
Are we able to chalk the slow start up to lack of system experience, injuries, a makeshift Oline, wasting time with Parker & Juju??
Or would you need to see more to change your opinion?
That’s only because they didn’t play anyone who put up that many points. Brady beat Denver when Manning was putting up 50 on Baltimore, and both the Chiefs and Rams when they put up 50 each in one game (in back to back weeks in the playoffs).