There was once a time when the New England Patriots were renowned for the level of extra preparation for their next game they underwent during the bye week. That time seems to have long passed.
Coming off their annual week of in-season rest, the Patriots fell to the New York Giants 10-7 on Sunday afternoon in the battle for the third overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The loss punctuated what has been a brutally disappointing season for a team that used to routinely dominate the NFL, and one that had even usually reserved media members openly astounded.
THIS. SEASON.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) November 26, 2023
Here are five big takeaways from the loss.