Top 5 Patriots Postgame Quotes After Their Week 15 Defeat

The New England Patriots coaches and players expressed frustration after the team’s Week 15 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. The 30-17 defeat dropped New England’s record to 3-11 on the season. It would be more concerning if the Patriots’ mood was overly positive after losing their eleventh game of the season.

A costly penalty and a missed field goal on New England’s opening drive set the tone for the afternoon. As struggling teams tend to do, the Patriots hurt themselves as much, if not more, than the opposition usually does. The offense failed to find a rhythm until trailing 23-3 in the fourth quarter. The defense looked inept against the run. Tackling, taking proper angles, and setting the edge all contributed to the lackluster effort on that side of the ball.

Head coach Jerod Mayo continued his trend of making comments that will certainly receive some backlash. Many acknowledged that they were repeating the same points each week in the postgame interviews. The team needs to execute better, avoid hurting themselves, capitalize on opportunities, keep working hard, etc.

Also Read – Ten Takeaways From the Patriots 30-17 Loss to the Cardinals

The Top 5 Patriots postgame quotes following their Week 15 loss:

5. “You Said It, I Didn’t”

One of the key momentum shifts in the game was the Patriots offense being stuffed twice at the Cardinals four-yard line in the fourth quarter. New England handed off on consecutive plays and got stopped short of the first down twice. Neither rush even called for a measurement. Jerod Mayo was asked if the team considered a quarterback sneak in that situation and immediately responded, “you said it, I didn’t.”

To those listening, Mayo’s comment sounded like he disagreed with the decision. It also sounded like he was blaming offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt for the failed attempts. Mayo stated he doesn’t like finger-pointing, but has seemed to do just that on several occasions this season. Usually, the head coach walks it back afterward. This quote will likely generate the most reaction from the Patriots postgame comments.

“Boston Herald” reported Doug Kyed followed up on the initial question, asking Mayo if it was Van Pelt’s call. Mayo stated, “It’s always my decision.” However, this is a direct contrast to his initial response.

Drake Maye was also asked about the idea of a quarterback sneak. He would only state that it’s something that he was good at in college and he has good size to run it effectively, though he stated Rhamondre Stevenson has those attributes too.

4. “Unfortunate Things Happened the Whole Game”

Speaking of Maye, the quarterback sounded discouraged by New England repeating mistakes from the offense. He noted that the Patriots practice well, but it does not seem to translate to the games. Penalties and failure to capitalize on scoring opportunities were primary among these frustrations.

“The same things showing up,” said Maye. “Hurting ourselves.”

But Maye’s comment that “unfortunate things happened the whole game, really,” was perhaps the most telling. He cited the holding call on the opening drive, the missed field, and the Cardinals first touchdown. Arizona offensive lineman Jonah Williams dove on a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown that Drake Maye called, “a video game, Madden-like touchdown.”

The unfortunate reality for the New England Patriots is that unfortunate things tend to happen to bad teams more frequently. When unfortunate things happen every week there could be more to it than merely bad luck.

3. “Accountability is Going Out and Correcting It”

Jerod Mayo returns for his second appearance in the top postgame quotes. Mayo talked about how people simply admitting something was their fault is not accountability. To him, “accountability is going out and correcting it, and that’s about action.”

Mayo’s previous comment seemed directed at coach Alex Van Pelt. Based in part on a comment the head coach made about the team’s gameplan and scheme, this one seemed directed at the players.

“We’re all pretty confident as far as Xs and Os are concerned,” said Mayo. “But going out there and executing a play takes a lot, and we just weren’t able to do that on a consistent basis.”

While Mayo’s comments about accountability might be accurate, they need to include himself and the rest of the staff as well. Players are performing poorly and remain in games. Even when better options might not be available, as with left tackle Vederian Lowe, helping the team through scheme and playcalling is still possible.

2. “As We Rebuild as a Young Team, It’s Going to be Good”

There was at least one positive quote postgame, and it came from DeMario Douglas. The New England Patriots wide receiver was asked about the offense moving the ball effectively in the fourth quarter. Douglas scored New England’s first touchdown of the game.

“When we move that ball and it’s tempo, we’re different,” said Douglas about the Patriots playing faster. “We’re just trying to find ourselves as a young team and make something happen, but I feel like as we rebuild as a young team, it’s going to be good.”

Douglas was complimentary of Drake Maye’s ability to make things happen like his shuttle pass for a touchdown to Douglas when it looked like the quarterback was going to run. He also said one of the goals for the season’s finish would be making sure the rookie receivers on the Patriots, Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, build their confidence.

“When anybody is on the field with confidence, they play good,” Douglas offered.

1. “We Have All Earned the Criticism We’ve Received; Coaches, Players, Everybody”

Jonathan Jones is the third longest-tenured New England Patriots player. More than almost anybody on the team, he has experienced the highest highs (two Super Bowl wins) and the lows of the past two seasons. He also understands the media and fanbase better than most.

“I think we have all earned the criticism we’ve received; coaches, players, everyone,” Jones acknowledged. He added, “This is a results business.”

Jones did a nice job breaking down why the losses continue to pile up for New England. It’s not that the Patriots don’t know what needs to be done, they simply aren’t doing it.

“We sit in the meetings all week,” explained Jones. “We set targets that we want to hit as a team, that we want to hit to give ourselves a chance to win. And we just repeatedly don’t do it.”

The New England Patriots must determine what is preventing them from hitting those targets before the 2025 season begins so that changes can be made. Is it a coaching issue? A personnel issue with a lack of talent on the roster? Team chemistry? Team discipline? Unfortunately, Sunday’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals made it look like a combination of all of the above, which is not necessarily going to be an easy fix.