Because the Patriots had been knocking on the door on Saturday for a potential go-ahead landing, operating again Ramondre Stevenson misplaced a fumble on the Cincinnati Bengals’ 8-yard line with 59 seconds remaining. It was the decisive play in one other heartbreaking loss per week after the NBA was caught in a fateful lateral play with no time left within the loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Bengals received 22-18.
“I used to be attempting to make one thing occur. I most likely did greater than I used to be alleged to. Perhaps I ought to have simply gone down,” Stevenson mentioned.
Lack of situational consciousness might as soon as have been thought-about stunning for a group coached by Invoice Belichick, but it surely has grow to be extra frequent within the group’s 7-8 season.
The Patriots aren’t formally out of playoff competition, however a way of resignation prevailed amongst some gamers after Saturday’s recreation after they drew 22-0 at halftime earlier than charging within the second half. appeared to be doing
“It was simply robust as a result of it was at stake,” mentioned New England veteran security Adrian Phillips. “We blew it.”
As exterior linebacker Matthew Judon added, “We’re a resilient group, however issues simply do not go the best way we wish them to. There appears to be
The Patriots will host the Miami Dolphins subsequent Sunday earlier than the common season finale with the Buffalo Payments in Week 18.
Stevenson’s fumble on Saturday was the primary for the reason that opener of his 2021 rookie season. Belichick mentioned the Patriots knew Cincinnati would not go into timeouts, in order that they had been attempting to manage the time. – Profitable landing.
Bengals defensive lineman DJ Reeder received Stevenson to his ft and Stevenson was relegated 3 yards behind the road of scrimmage earlier than security Bomb Bell pulled the ball away.
Referee Craig Urolstad mentioned within the pool report that declaring Stevenson’s progress stopped was not thought-about. We took management and mainly eliminated his legs. We felt he nonetheless had his legs.
Stevenson was requested if he felt his progress had stalled.
“It would not matter what I believe. They referred to as it a fumble. [the Bengals] retrieved the ball. “I used to be combating for additional yards,” Stevenson mentioned.
Teammates stood behind Stevenson, the Patriots’ most important rusher.
“Should you return and take a look at the entire season, he was just about one of the best participant on the attacking aspect of the ball,” Phillips mentioned. “At this time issues did not go his means. He is nonetheless buddy and we love him. Nobody must say something as a result of he is already achieved himself.” As a result of he is the kind of participant who places it down.”
Even when Stevenson hadn’t fumbled, there was no certainty that the Patriots scored a landing. They entered the day because the NFL’s lowest crimson zone offense, with 37 journeys and he recorded his 14 TDs (37.8%).
They scored of their first crimson zone outing in opposition to Cincinnati, however the general margin of error thinned after a big halftime deficit.
In some methods, this recreation was the epitome of New England’s season.
“It appears nice after we’re centered and locked in, but it surely’s not after we’re not,” Judong mentioned. I confirmed you.”
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