The New England Patriots played the Kansas City Chiefs closer than expected, which most fans are considering a moral victory after Sunday’s 27-17 defeat.
It’s clear at this point that the vast majority of fans are wanting to see the Patriots end up with as high of a draft pick as possible. However, the only way to ensure that happens is for the team to keep losing football games.
For that reason alone, it shouldn’t come as any surprise to see Patriots’ fans applauding the team’s efforts, while also celebrating their defeat. The defense came to play as usual, but the offense couldn’t stay in the fight beyond the first half.
Injuries to the offensive line caused protection issues up front, and quarterback Bailey Zappe quickly unraveled down the stretch. There was a mix of reactions after the game with the Patriots now sitting at 3-11 on the season.
Here’s what fans were saying on Twitter:
Penalties in the 1st half killed every big play we had. If not this would’ve been a different game at half but we also have to stop disappearing in the 2nd halves of games.
— 💜 (@thefutxre) December 17, 2023
We lost to Taylor swift but won into the draft
— Logan (@ItzNFX) December 17, 2023
— Bawston Lu (@BawstonLu) December 17, 2023
Watching our team without Brady: pic.twitter.com/tRRQMGkEBN
— Hassan 🇸🇴 (@TherealHassanO) December 17, 2023
Pain. pic.twitter.com/BnJZHdMnEj
— ralphiscold (@ralphiscold) December 17, 2023
Well we did better than I expected but that missed FG and Henry TD called back killed us
— BostonArman (@BostonArman) December 17, 2023
Good job guys! Proud of yall, only 4 more L’s to go
— Tyler 🧢 (@canegang96) December 17, 2023
Nobody is surprised by this.. pats have been close but far all season
— oceanbeach1 (@MikeFox75369107) December 17, 2023
we actually played pretty good
— Owen🎄 (@Boston_SZN) December 17, 2023
W, the game wasn't unwatchable and we continue to tank
— 𝙍𝙖𝙝𝙪𝙡 𝙏𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙨 𝘼𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙎𝙩𝙪𝙛𝙛 𝕏 (@rahul_stuff) December 17, 2023
Hard to beat the refs but at least they put up a fight. Getting better.
— Wayne Halcomb (@WayneHalcomb13) December 17, 2023
Played well (better than usual) and lost, overall W
— dylannn 🧸 (@HoodiBrown) December 17, 2023
The one positive is that it was not a blowout like some probably expected.
— UndeadTyrant1992 (@UTyrant1992) December 17, 2023
Tank season is well and truly back on track. Another loss, injuries piling up and with the Panthers winning the number 1 pick is back in play. A great day.
Belichick again showing us he’s just waiting for his 2024 move out of here. A number 1 pick would be a nice leaving gift.
— Andrew Turmer (@AndrewTurmer) December 17, 2023
This team is a good quarterback away from being a playoff team. Which is why I am all in on the tank
— Golf fan (@TWfan19) December 17, 2023
Way to tank fellas 🙏
— Michael McCorkle Jones (@jussaSportsGuy) December 17, 2023
Closer score than I thought it would be.
— Meghaan Jennings 🟧 🟦 (@MeghaanJ) December 17, 2023
Should have won it… phantom holding and that Zappe pick cost us
— Will (@willsicard34) December 17, 2023
D never quit
— ColonyProudPatsFans (@ColonyPatsFans) December 17, 2023
nice. way to do your job. pic.twitter.com/zA0v2F2kK8
— Jordan Moore (@iJordanMoore) December 17, 2023
