Let's be honest. Nobody actually expected the New England Patriots to dominate the league in 2024. But I don't think many people expected things to get quite this rocky. When Jerod Mayo took over from Bill Belichick, there was this sense of "new beginnings" and "cultural shifts." Well, the shift happened, but the wins? They didn't really follow.
By the time the dust settled on the season, the new england patriots record 2024 stood at a painful 4-13.
It was a year that felt like a long, slow exhale after two decades of holding its breath. They finished dead last in the AFC East. Again. It’s a bitter pill for a fan base that used to treat the division title like a birthright. Honestly, looking at the roster, they were basically fighting an uphill battle from the jump.
The Rough Reality of the 2024 Season
If you just look at the 4-13 record, you might think it was just a total disaster from start to finish. But it’s kinda more nuanced than that. They actually started the year with a shocking 16-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. I remember people thinking, "Wait, is Mayo a genius?"
Then the wheels fell off.
🔗 Read more: Miami Heat New York Knicks Game: Why This Rivalry Still Hits Different
They lost six straight games. That hadn't happened to this franchise since 1993. That’s a long time. They were losing in every way possible—heartbreakers in overtime against Seattle and Tennessee, and absolute blowouts like the 40-7 thumping by the Chargers in Week 17.
Why the Offense Just Couldn't Get Going
The biggest problem? Scoring. It's hard to win when you're averaging about 17 points a game. That ranked them 30th in the NFL. Basically, if the other team scored 20, the game was over.
- The Quarterback Carousel: Jacoby Brissett started the year as the "bridge." He was fine, I guess. He played safe, didn't turn it over much, but he couldn't move the needle.
- The Drake Maye Era: By Week 6, the team finally handed the keys to the rookie, Drake Maye. He showed flashes. Real flashes. He ended up with over 2,200 passing yards and led the team in several categories, but he was running for his life half the time.
- The O-Line Struggles: You can't blame Maye or Brissett entirely when the offensive line is a revolving door. They gave up 52 sacks. That's a lot of hits for a young kid to take.
Breaking Down the New England Patriots Record 2024
When you dive into the numbers, the schedule was just brutal. They had to face the 49ers, the Texans, and a very strong Bills team twice.
| Key Stat | 2024 Value | NFL Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Total Record | 4-13 | Tied for 2nd Worst |
| Points Per Game | 17.0 | 30th |
| Passing Yards | 3,343 | 32nd |
| Sacks Allowed | 52 | 27th |
The defense actually held up okay, all things considered. They weren't the 2000 Ravens, but they weren't the reason the team went 4-13. Christian Gonzalez proved he’s a legitimate star at cornerback, and Brenden Schooler remained one of the best special teams players in the league. But you can only ask a defense to stay on the field for 40 minutes so many times before they break.
💡 You might also like: Louisiana vs Wake Forest: What Most People Get Wrong About This Matchup
The Turning Points (Or Lack Thereof)
There was this weird moment in Week 8. They beat the Jets 25-22. It felt like maybe they’d found a rhythm. Maye was looking comfortable, Rhamondre Stevenson was bruising through tackles. But then they went right back to losing.
The low point had to be that London game against the Jaguars. Losing 32-16 across the pond just felt embarrassing. It was one of those games where you realize the "culture" hasn't fixed the talent gap. Mayo even called the team "soft" after that game. You've gotta wonder how that sat in the locker room.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Record
Most analysts look at 4-13 and say the Jerod Mayo experiment failed. I’m not so sure. Honestly, this was a "deconstruction" year. Eliot Wolf and the front office knew the roster was thin. They spent the year seeing what they had in the young guys.
Drake Maye didn't have a WR1. Stefon Diggs was technically on the roster (weird, right?), but the chemistry wasn't always there. DeMario Douglas is a great piece, but he’s a slot guy. They needed a game-changer and didn't have one.
📖 Related: Lo que nadie te cuenta sobre los próximos partidos de selección de fútbol de jamaica
The season mercifully ended with an upset win over the Buffalo Bills, 23-16. It was a weird way to go out. A win against a division rival that did absolutely nothing but hurt their draft stock. But hey, it felt good for a Sunday.
The Fallout: Why Jerod Mayo Was Fired
The most shocking part of the new england patriots record 2024 wasn't the losses—it was what happened after. Despite it being his first year, Jerod Mayo was let go.
Robert Kraft isn't known for being patient when the stadium is half-empty by the fourth quarter. The stagnation was just too much. When you match the previous year's 4-13 record under a "new" regime, the seat gets hot fast. They wanted to see progress, and 1-6 starts don't exactly scream progress.
Actionable Takeaways for the Future
If you're a fan looking at where they go from here, the 2024 record actually provides a clear roadmap.
- Protect the Investment: The #1 priority is the offensive line. Drake Maye has the talent, but he won't last three seasons if he's getting sacked 50+ times a year.
- Find a True Alpha Receiver: They need a guy who demands a double team. Without that, the windows for Maye are just too small.
- Draft Capital is King: Because they finished so poorly, they have high picks. They cannot miss on these. The 2024 draft gave them Maye, but they need the 2025 and 2026 classes to fill out the depth.
The 2024 season was a reality check. It proved that the "Patriot Way" was more about the people (Brady and Belichick) than the building. Rebuilding a dynasty takes more than a change of clothes and a new coach. It takes time, and unfortunately for Pats fans, 2024 was just the beginning of a very long road back to relevance.
Keep an eye on the upcoming coaching search and free agency. The front office has a massive amount of cap space, and how they spend it will determine if 4-13 is a rock bottom or just the new normal in Foxborough.