Patriots' Coach Criticizes Team After Sixth Loss

The New England Patriots faced criticism from head coach Jerod Mayo after a 32-16 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, marking their sixth consecutive defeat and extending their record to 1-6. Mayo described his team as 'soft,' particularly in their inability to run the ball, stop the run, and cover kicks. Former head coach Bill Belichick defended the players, highlighting that the defensive unit was top-ranked against the run last year and is not inherently soft. Mayo clarified that his comments were about the team's current performance, not their intrinsic toughness, while rookie quarterback Drake Maye agreed on the need for increased toughness. The game, originally held at Wembley Stadium, concluded the NFL's 2024 London games, with Mayo emphasizing potential improvement through hard work. The Patriots will attempt to break their losing streak in their upcoming game against the New York Jets on October 27.