Patriots Afterthoughts - A New England Patriots Fan Podcast: Recent Episodes
Fans Not Experts
Short and sweet thoughts after every New England Patriots game - win or lose (hopefully win). Check us out at fansnotexperts.com/patriots and @mikey_c on twitter.
Welcome to the New New era of the New England Patriots. New coach. New quarterback. In this little bonus episode, Mike came back to tell you everything he knows about Drake Maye, the newest member of the New England Patriots. If you're familiar with the show, your expectations are already set at the correct low level. What he does know though, is that he is excited to see what happens.
Music in this episode – "It's Gonna Be Me" by *NSYNC
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And just like that - it's over. The TRUE end of a dynasty ended on January 11, 2024 when Bill Belichick announced he and the New England Patriots will be parting ways. What the future holds for the Patriots, who can say? I just wanted to take a few minutes and give my gratitude to Coach Belichick for giving me so many memories that I'll cherish for the rest of my life. And while this long chapter ends, let's hope for great days ahead. Go Pats!
Music in this episode – "Everything Dies" by Type O Negative
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This is the end, beautiful friend....This is the end, my only friend....The end. The end of the season and possibly the end of an era. I'd like to put this season in the rearview mirror - and hope with whatever comes, better days are ahead....Go Pats!
Music in this episode – "Is This The End" by Creed (Creed? Really?)
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Happy New Year's Eve, football nerds! After some terribly sloppy play, the Patriots made a game of it while the Bills did their best to not want to win. But they did. In the long run this is probably better for the Patriots, but still never fun to see the Bills win a game. Let's do this one more time next week...
Music in this episode – “Auld Lang Syne (Punk Rock)” by Knights to Remember (how could you not love this song?)
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Merry Christmas! Draft positioning be damned, this was a helluva win and a great, poetic ending for Chad Ryland. I don't care what anybody says, I enjoyed this game and this win. What an ending! Happy Holidays, Pats fans!
Music in this episode - "Christmas Is The Time To Say 'I Love You'" by Billy Squier (how could you not love this song?)
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And just like that the winning streak is over. The Pats fall to 3-11 and the focus stays on the draft and the future of this team and its coaching staff. See you Christmas Eve!
Music in this episode - "Down" by 311 - Get it? 311...3-11....I'm brilliant!
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"Hark! The herald angels sing - the Pats actually got a win!" Admit it, you sang that out loud. Well folks, here we are with a very special episode of Patriots Afterthoughts - coming to you after a rare Patriots victory. There have only been 3 this year, so enjoy them while you can. Sure the more the lose, the better their draft position is - but tell that to me whilst I'm actually watching the game...
Music in this episode - "Blow Your Speakers" by MANOWAR
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The Patriots have five games in December. Can they score 30 points during that time? I'm not talking about then putting up thirty in any of those games - I'm talking, can they score 30 points TOTAL in those 5 (now 4) games. If today was any indication, the answer is a big fat no. I guess just keep losing? Feels weird even thinking that. Makes me feel dirty (and not the good kind of dirty).
Music in this episode - "When It's Over" by Sugar Ray
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Thanksgiving is done, which means Christmas season is officially here - and the Patriots delivered early by losing a terribly boring game which only helps them with next year's draft. Yup, we're at that point.
Music in this episode - "Shiny Happy People" by R.E.M.
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Happy Thanksgiving Patriots Fans! I'm a little late getting this out, but just wanted to say hi as we head into the last seven games of the season - and contemplate who will be behind center for the rest of the season? Oh and I got an amazing Apple Podcast review.
Music in this episode - "Bye Bye Bye" by *NSYNC
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The good news is that I'm not traveling with my mother-in-law this week....That's it for the good news. The bad news - well, you watched the game...
Music in this episode - "That's All" by Genesis
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Look, I've been in a car most of the last few days driving my mother-in-law to Florida from Massachusetts. We made it to South Carolina today and I got to watch most of the 2nd half of yet again another loss. So you get what you get.
Music in this episode - "Oops!...I Did It Again" by Britney Spears
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Golly, remember last week? That was fun. This week? Today? Not so much. Will the Patriots ever beat Tua? Who knows - but not this year. I'd say "not this year unless they meet in the...." but let's be realistic.
Not this year.
Music in this episode - "Give It Away" by Red Hot Chili Peppers
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Well lookie what we have here! A Patriots win! A Patriots division win! A Patriots win over the Bills! A Patriots final drive last second score to win! No matter what happened the last few weeks, this is one to enjoy. This is one to be really happy about - and maybe, just maybe - this, the 300th regular season win of Bill Belichick's career - is one to build off of? GO PATS!
Music in this episode - "Winning" by Santana
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The Patriots played today. So the Patriots lost today. Different week. Same result.
Music in this episode - "The Safety Dance" by Men Without Hats
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Oh wait, it actually can get worse as witnessed in Foxboro today where the Patriots looked like absolute garbage in a shutout lost to the New Orleans Saints. And that's all I'm going to type about that.
Go Pats!?
Music in this episode - "How Bad Can I Be?" from the film, "The Lorax"
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What. A. Disaster. Nothing good happened in Dallas. Nothing. Mack looked lost. The two best defenders got hurt. And they just looked lost. The less send about this week the better. But, oofa boofa did they look like crap
Go Pats!?
Music in this episode - "It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" by the Suicide Machines
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It's always good to beat the Jets. Always. A win is a win is a win is a win! Could it have been easier? Sure. Should it have been easier? Maybe. Does it matter in the long run, probably not. It's been 266 days since the Patriots last won a game, so I'm just happy to be happy with a win! And also to see the Jets lose. It's not 100% equal, but it sure feels good.
Go Pats!
Music in this episode - "Curse of the Pharaohs" by Mercyful Fate
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Remember that concert I mentioned in last week's episode. Well, there's a good chance from there I...got down with the Sickness - if you know what I mean. I've since passed this sickness on to my parents AND as of this morning to my wife. But I still took the time stay up and get my hopes up with the Patriots again. Only to be let down again. Tiny glimpses of hope. Yeah, that's what I'll hold on to...
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The NFL is back! The Patriots are back! And this podcast is back! And while things started off rocky for our favorite team today - and the end result was disappointing - there was a lot to feel good about in the end. Let's hope they build upon the positives and try to erase the negatives. We're on to Miami.
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The season is officially over. While the Patriots did have a chance to earn the final AFC playoff spot, alas they could not come up with enough points to overtake the Bills in what has been a very emotional week for Buffalo and the Bills Mafia.
The Pats could've also backed their way into the postseason - but the Dolphins had other plans and now they live to fight another day and the Patriots look to regroup for next season. See you then.
A win!? Is that right? Yes the Patriots are BACK in the win column and actually still have a chance to make the playoffs. The offense did just enough and the defense as usual put points on the board. Hey, whatever happens at least they're giving us something to root for in the final game of the season.
Oh look, they lost again in a heartbreaking way. Oh look, the offense looked inept and then looked okay, and then blew it. Oh look, Bill O'Brien rumors are starting. Good....Now let's go focus on family and have a Merry Christmas everyone!
I love this team. I really do. I love them. But holy crap was that a disaster. I barely wanted to talk about this - so I barely did. Have a great week and focus on Christmas if you celebrate it - and not football.
Was the offense good? Not really.
Were they good enough? Yeah today they were.
Was the defense good? Yes. Yes they were.
It's great to back in the win column - and to still have the playoffs as a realistic possibility - but they still have to play better with the ball...if that is possible. But happy to be on the winning side again!
You know it's bad, it's bad (bad, bad)
You know it, you know (really, really bad)
And the whole world has to answer right now
Just to tell you once again
Who's bad?
Happy Thanksgiving Pats fans! Tough loss tonight as the offense finally looked like they were putting some things together - but special teams and some bad penalties (both called and committed) ended the losing streak for our Patriots. But the Thursday night streak continues as we'll be back here AGAIN next Thursday...see you then.
The winning streak continues. The offensive struggle continues. The defense playing great continues. And beating the J-E-T-S continues! continues! continues! And now all we have to do is wait 4 more days for more Patriots football! LFG!
It's another winning streak! The defense came up big. Special teams came up huge. The offense.....did enough. And the Colts stink. Go Pats! Enjoy the bye week.....
It wasn't perfect and it wasn't without me yelling at my television multiple times - but IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO BEAT THE JETS!
There was a fun 10 minutes hidden in there tonight - but yeah, the less said about this garbage game, the better. Patriots lose to the Bears, 33-14. Next.
I'm back in Massachusetts! I'm back home! And I'm back actually WATCHING the Patriots game. Today was a great win for the Pats, and while we do have ourselves a winning streak, I am not ready to say we have ourselves a quarterback controversy. Save that talk for all the terrible sports media around here...JUST WIN BABY!
Did I watch the game today? NOPE! Did I listen to the game today? Most of it! Was there a reason for that? Oh hell yeah - but you're going to have to listen to find out. (Spoiler: I'm in South Carolina typing this in a motel.)
Don't worry - the episode is short.
Am I disappointed they lost this game? Sure - but am I happy as how they made it a game and really had a chance to win with a rookie 3rd string quarterback who was thrust into the game?
Yes, yes I am. I feel like this loss could actually bring this team closer together. Or maybe I'm just a hopelessly positive fan. Either way, we're on to Detroit.
Oh brother. The Patriots lose again, but for a while there they made a game of it and showed that they can hang and they can play offense - but they gotta stop with the dumb mistakes! And the terrible turnovers!
And most importantly - let's all hope Mac Jones is okay! We're on to Green Bay....
Well okay, that's more like it! Was it perfect? Was it flawless? Nope. Does that matter? Nope. What's important to me is getting a win, having some success, and building on that for next week when they finally play at home. But hey, it's always good to win on the road and it's always good to beat the Steelers.
There really is nothing good about this episode. The sound quality was terrible. The music choice was terrible - and even worse the game that I somewhat discuss was terrible.
Just terrible all around - Enjoy!
Once again the offense didn't look very good. It had small moments - moments that maybe could have been built on in a full game - but for the most part it was nothing to be excited about. And of course the local media can't wait to tweet or for you to be the 7th caller to crap all over them.
You can probably tell during this episode I wasn't all that excited to be talking about a meaningless, sloppy, final preseason game loss. On top of that I had to leave to go take my brother's dogs out and then a headache comes on. So...yay.
At the very least we can say - the f'n preseason is over with. The games that matter are just a couple weeks away. Until then - Go Pats!
Have you ever asked yourself - what would it sound like if there was a podcast about the Patriots where the host knew next to nothing, seemed overly tired, and oh yeah - it was another meaningless preseason game? If you have well boy oh boy do we have the podcast for you!
PATRIOTS WIN! THEEEEEE PATRIOTS WIN!
I'm baaaaack. Back to talk about a team I love. Back to speak with the passion of a fan, not with the hot takes of some radio host craving attention. I know barely anybody listens and I STILL do it. I even show up for the preseason! If that's not love, then what is? Oh and the Giants beat the Pats...
The Patriots were in the playoffs for about 10 minutes and then it all went to hell. The defense was horrendous and the offense couldn't keep up. There were a lot of moments to be happy about this season and a lot to make you feel good about the future. Today was not one of those moments. They sucked. See you next season.
What a way to bookend an overall successful season - with two disappointing losses to the Dolphins! And while the Miami Football Team is done for the season and your favorite Patriots are on their way back to Buffalo - it would've been nice to win this one. But they didn't. We're on to Buffalo.
Now that's what I call a win! Yes the Jaguars are terrible, and they have a lot of players on the COVID reserve list - but to see the Patriots just utterly dominate from beginning to end was a nice way to start the new year. And of course....PLAYOFFS!
Let’s just try to forget that this happened. Let’s try to forget they’ve now lost two games in a row. Let’s try to forget that in the past week they’ve let the AFC top seed and AFC East lead go. Let’s try to forget how their offense hasn’t looked that great and their defense looks beatable. Let’s just focus on the Jaguars and the chance to get into the playoffs with two games to go. Yeah, let’s focus on that.
Too little too late for the Pats. You can't dig yourself a hole that big and expect to come out of it on top - even if there was hope for a moment. Some costly special teams mistakes as well as some bad offense put the Patriots behind to the point where everything needed to go right in the 4th quarter for them to possibly win. It didn't. They didn't. We're on to Buffalo.
Turns out my heart must be stronger than I thought. My Fitbit kept telling me my heart rate was going up, but nothing exploded and I am safe and sound and ready for bed. But more important than my health - the Patriots beat the Bills in Buffalo to expand their lead in the AFC East and remain the #1 seed overall in the AFC with 4 games left to play. It was a game of wind and runs. A game of defense. A game where Mac was not put in any position to make mistakes. And it was a win. Most of all - and really the only thing that matters - it was a win! Enjoy the bye week!
Another week, another victory. The Patriots came back home after a mini-bye and took care of business against the top ranked, and pretty banged up, Tennesse Titans with a decisive 36-13 victory. Mac threw 2 TDs, Judon had a sack. JC had a pick. Business as usual. And now we’re on the to the Bills! But let’s enjoy this one for at least the rest of the day! Go Pats!
hows up as much as they did tonight in the first patriots shutout of the season. This moves the Pats one game ahead of the Bills in the win column, at least until Sunday, and it helps the Pats inch closer to possibly making the playoffs. But let's not get ahead ourselves. Enjoy a nice Sunday off, have a great Thanksgiving, and then we're on to Tennessee! Go Pats!
Nobody saw this coming. Sure, did people think the Patriots could or would win? Absolutely. But I don't think there is a person out there who saw the absolute destruction the Pats would bring upon Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns. I apologize for the delay in getting this one out - I recorded it Sunday night and well....no excuses. Go Pats! See you tomorrow!
The hottest team in the AFC East is back with another win! That makes 3 in a row as the defense once again made Sam Darnold believe in ghosts! Three interceptions, including one for a touchdown really made the difference in this game where the offense did just enough to help secure 24-6 win over the Carolina Panthers. One game out of 1st in the loss column, and we're on to Cleveland!
Happy Halloween! It would seem the Patriots are leaving Los Angeles with more treats than tricks as they climb back to the .500 mark for the first time since week 2. They remain perfect on the road and now have a two game winning streak. You really couldn't ask for more today - unless you want more peanut butter cups. That I cannot help you with.
Oops! I recorded this Sunday after watching the game late (without any spoilers) and did not put it up until today. My bad. Sorry for ruining your week. But, hey the Pats won! I mean sure it was the Jets, but who cares - it was just nice to see a decisive blowout - and it's always good to beat the Jets.
A few days late this week (even though I recorded it right after the game). That was a brutal loss to a very entertaining game. Entertaining right up until the effing ending....Patriots lose and are now 2-4. And winless at home!? Hopefully the Jets can fix that. Hopefully.
Was it pretty? Did it need to be? Hell, at this point a win is a win is a win. Offense line did way better than anyone would've thought. The defense...well, they were a lot better in the second half. And Mac, wasn't perfect, but put together enough drives to put them in position to tie the game and then kick that final field goal to put them back in the win column with a 25-22 win in Houston.
I wonder if anyone knew that Tom Brady was coming back to New England this Sunday Night? Well, let me tell you something - I was there and I saw a great game that just didn't end the way I had hoped. A valiant effort against the Super Bowl champs and the returning TB12, but not enough as the Patriots fall to 1-3 in this 2021 season.
But that next page is going to be very annoying - so I took a few minutes to at least recap some of my thoughts. Go Pats!
It's always good to beat the Jets! First win of the year. First win of Mac's career. Win in the division on the road? Tied for first in the division? Sure, I'll take it. Are the Jets good? No, but I don't care. Just win baby!
Go Pats!
Silver linings. That's how I am choosing to look at today's Patriots loss. Silver linings. Sure they didn't get the job done and they only scored 16 points. Sure there were too many penalties and too many turnovers (one specifically) - but they were in a position to win this one AND more importantly than anything, Mac Jones looked good in his start (29/39 for 281 yards, a TD and no picks). And he started looking better as the game went on. It's a shame things didn't work out for him in his first start, but my hope is this is just the beginning.
Go Pats!
The preseason is OVER. Now we have to wait almost two weeks to get real Patriots action. In the meantime, I talk a little about the Giants preseason win that happened yesterday.
But yeah, the preseason is over. BRING ON THE SEASON!
Okay, sure the Eagles barely dressed their first stringers, and yes this is the pre-season I am well aware. That being said it was nice to see both Cam and Mac have good days behind center. It was nice to see the defense dominate. It was nice to see plays being executed successfully.
I am so ready for this season to start.
I know, I know - it's only the preseason. But you can't tell me this one isn't different. You can't tell me this one doesn't feel different. Hell, we didn't even get one of these last year and we all know why. And now, this year we have the new format of 3 preseason games and 17 regular season games. Oh and we have a first round rookie quarterback getting his first live NFL action.
Yeah this is different. And while Cam Newton is still the starting quarterback at this exact moment, you can't help but be hopeful by what we saw from rookie Mac Jones tonight. He is the future of this team, or at least that's the plan. Will he be the future? Will the future come sooner than you think?
Only time will tell, but I'll say one thing - football is back baybay!
It's been a long time since the Patriots final game of the season ending in victory wasn't followed by a parade...But hey, at least it ended on somewhat of a high note. See you next season.
This team stinks. Worse than this podcast. To both of my listeners, thanks for taking a few moments to hear my complain. Patriots lose to the AFC East Champion Buffalo Bills, 38-9. Yuck. Go Pats forever! Even though they stink...
We're on the draft! The offense has nothing. Nothing. I love Cam - but not as the QB of the Patriots. He just doesn't have it anymore. I hope this is a one year experiment. The Patriots lose 22-12 to the Miami Dolphins and now officially have no hope in making the playoffs.
Well that was ugly. Not the type of game you want to stay up late for. Patriots offense doesn't show up. Rams win 24-3. Playoffs? Playoffs?? Playoffs???
Hey guess who's .500! Winners of 4 out of their last 5, the Patriots absolutely destroyed the LA Chargers today, 45-0. It was nice to have one of these games. A perfect blow out led by the ground game, special teams (Gunner!) and some great defense! BEAT LA! BEAT LA! See you Thursday!
Look who won 3 out of their last 4 games! For the 2nd time in the last four weeks, Nick Folk kicked a last second game winning field goal as the Patriots outlast the Arizona Cardinals 20-17 to improve their record to 5-6. That was one long sentence.
Much like (almost) every other loss this year, the Patriots had a chance to come back - this time for a possible tie. But much like (almost) every other loss, they did not. Patriots fall to 4-6 and lose to the Texans who are now 3-7. A battle for the ages...
A WINNING STREAK!!! Pats with an upset win at home (been a long time since that statements been said) against Baltimore, 23-17. LFG!
It's always good to beat the Jets. Even if it has to take the last play of the game to do it....
Oof. This one stung. At some points they looked bad, and some points they looked good. They hung around long enough to win the game. They looked like they were at least going to tie the game - if not go in for the win. And then the Cam fumble ended that. The Patriots are now 2-5? I wasn't expecting it to the the same as it was for the past 20 years - but i wasn't expecting THIS!
The Patriots got BLOWED OUT by Jimmy G and the 49ers - and maybe - just maybe.....maybe they just stink.
In a shocking turn of events, 12 points was not enough to win an NFL football game. I thought the Broncos stunk, but today it was the Patriots offense that didn't have much. Sure, they've been hit hard with Covid and injury - but I still expected more. But didn't get it.
Patriots: 2-3
Just didn't have it this week....Or I should say HIM this week. Because the Pats were in this game. Nobody gave them a chance and they were IN THIS GAME! Shame that Cam got sick and couldn't play because I think with Cam things would have been a little (very) different. But, we'll never know.
At the very least - we can be happy with how the defense played tonight.
We're on to Denver.
Back in the win column! Today the Pats gave the Raiders their first loss of the season in a dominant running performance and a great day by Rex Burkhead. LFG!
Week 2 came down to the final play of the game. The Patriots were in position to win it, but it just didn't work out this week. A lot of good stuff to build on, and plenty to improve upon. I haven't felt this good after a loss in quite some time. Just too bad they couldn't have pulled that off.
The Cam Newton era of the New England Patriots is finally here, and they start off this new season with a 21-11 victory at home against the Miami Dolphins in front of an empty Gillette Stadium.
Welcome to a brand new podcast from FansNotExperts.com. After every Patriots game - Mike is going to turn on his recorder and give his immediate thoughts on the game he just watched. 2020 is the start of a new era of Patriots football, and whatever happens it should be interesting. So check us out at fansnotexperts.com/patriots and follow @NEAfterthoughts on twitter.