Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVJanuary 9, 2023
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 08: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots warms up prior to a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on January 08, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images

After a 35-23 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, the New England Patriots will not be able to make the playoffs in the future.

New England needed a win over the Bills or a loss by the Miami Dolphins to get into the playoffs.

The Bills are a better team than the Pats. The nature of the outcome made it clear how flawed the team is. The defense allowed Buffalo to average 5.6 yards per play and Mac Jones went 26 of-40 for 243 yards.

Fans are calling for something to be done at the quarterback position.

nick wright @getnickwright

The Patriots are a quarterback & offensive coordinate away from being a scary team.

Patriots Fans Want to Move On from Mac Jones After Losing to Bills, Missing Playoffs✨ Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content
Aaron Schatz 🏈 @FO_ASchatz

Being a Patriots fan was certainly a ride this year. In the end, they were just mediocre. Not awful. Not good. Just mediocre. I know people have a problem with that in this world where everything has to suck or be awesome, but some teams are just average.

Jordan Moore @iJordanMoore

Mac Jones in a win or go home game:26/40243 YDS3 TD3 INT75.3 QB RTG

Not good enough. pic.twitter.com/FmtLr139L9

Jeff Howe @jeffphowe

Robert Kraft, unprompted, in March: "It bothers me that we haven't been able to win a playoff game in the last three years."

It's now going to be four years. Really, really significant offseason coming up for the Patriots.

Jones wasn't the only one responsible for the team's loss on Sunday. The special teams unit had a bad day.

The opening kick was returned 96 yards for a touchdown by the Buffalo player. After Nick Folk kicked a field goal in the third quarter, Hines responded with a touchdown on the ensuing kick off.

Buffalo Bills @BuffaloBills

CHILLS.

📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/9uXnx91reb

It was a persistent issue for New England all year.

Bill Barnwell @billbarnwell

The Patriots did not allow a single kick return for a touchdown over a decade between 2011 and 2021.

They've now allowed two kickoff returns for touchdowns *today*.

Michael Hurley @michaelFhurley

There have been 6 kickoffs returned for touchdowns in the entire NFL this season.

The Patriots have given up half of them.

Brett Kollmann @BrettKollmann

Also the Patriots might have the worst special teams I've seen in the last decade and that's saying a lot because I've seen many, many Packers games.

Jason McIntyre @jasonrmcintyre

Patriots special teams cost them against the BengalsPatriots special teams cost them against the Bills

They got lucky with the punt return vs the Jets

Robert Mays @robertmays

During Belichick's tenure, they're no. 1 in special teams EPA by a wide margin. Over the past decade, only the Ravens have been better.

Doug Kyed @DougKyed

the Patriots today pic.twitter.com/bgShzzBLbe

Pats Pulpit @patspulpit

Can Amanda Belichick coach special teams?

There was always going to be a level of uncertainty after Tom Brady left the team. New England didn't have a Steve Young-type replacement waiting in the wings like the 49ers did.

You didn't think the franchise would fall off the map if Bill Belichick was still in charge. But he is still being criticized.

A divorce is not likely because of the age of the person. It's clear that some level of change is needed, so that the Pats don't end up in the same situation next season.