Those third-place finishes, however, both happened after long-time starting quarterback Tom Brady’s departure following the 2019 season. Over the next two-plus decades, Belichick’s club won 17 division titles, finished twice in the AFC East three times, and third on two occasions. Back then, the team finished with a 5-11 record before going on a run for the ages. 2023 will therefore mark the first season since 2000 - Bill Belichick’s first year as head coach - that New England will occupy the bottom spot in the divisional pecking order. Three weeks later, the Patriots’ position in the standings has now been set in stone as well. However, a myriad of issues ranging from bad quarterback play, to insufficient playmaking ability, to consistent injury issues led to a slow start and eventual elimination from playoff contention after Week 14. The team did originally enter 2023 with some optimism about its chances to compete for a playoff spot, and team owner Robert Kraft voicing his desire to return to the tournament after a one-year absence. That game will see those two rivals go at each other at Gillette Stadium next weekend.įor New England, this marks another low point in what has already been a disappointing season up until this point. Now owning a 4-12 record on the year, the Patriots will be unable to catch the 6-10 New York Jets with one game left to play in the regular season. Losing 27-21 to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday sealed their fate and solidified them in the fourth spot in the divisional standings. ![]() ![]() It’s official: for the first time in 23 years, the New England Patriots will finish a season in last place in the AFC East.
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