Just after the Patriots-Raiders game went to halftime on Sunday, the CBS broadcast naturally went to a commercial.
Fans were greeted by a Pepsi ad with a fan in a New England jersey guzzling a can of soda. The slogan said — “Patriots Watching: Better With Pepsi.”
If that’s accurate, New England fans should buy Pepsi by the truckload. Because “Patriots Watching: Without Pepsi” in 2023 has been mighty hard to endure.
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For the past 30 years or so, watching the Patriots with or without cola, is what New Englanders have done on fall Sundays. It’s routine. But at some point, people are going to stop tuning in and treat this season like the write-off that it has become. Diehards and gamblers will still be in their regular seats at the bar or their living room every Sunday no matter what. But for everybody else, there’s going to be a breaking point.
This Sunday might have been it. The Patriots couldn’t move the ball against a bad team and were finished off by the one-two punch of a dropped deep ball followed by a safety.
If Travis Kelce can keep from becoming the subject of a breakup record for a few more weeks, there’s going to be a lot of Patriots fans selling their tickets for the Dec. 18 game against Kansas City to Taylor Swift fans, who’ll be hoping she shows up for the game.
It’s not just that the Patriots are 1-5, they’re miserable to watch.
Losing 41-37 is at least entertaining, losing 21-17 is a slog. The Patriots rarely sustain drives and often get sacked. They rack up bad penalties and bad decisions.
When Ezekiel Elliott’s apparent game-tying 74-yard touchdown reception was negated by a holding penalty, he put his hands on his helmet in disbelief. In his moment of “Ugh,” he was embodying the emotions of fans all over the region.
New England Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott reacts after his 74-yard reception and run into the end zone was nullified by an offensive holding call during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)AP
The game actually could have been worse. The Raiders aren’t good and weren’t sharp. If not for Maxx Crosby’s dumb roughing the passer penalty late, the Patriots wouldn’t have scored their second touchdown.
There are no bright spots, no individual players to revel in. It would be one thing if the Patriots were bad, but fans could feel like they were seeing the origin story of Christian Gonzalez’s budding stardom. But he’s injured and none of the other young skill players seem to be on a Pro Bowl track either.
There are actual fun things to do on fall weekends in New England and this isn’t one of them.
Unlike its football team, New England’s foliage isn’t entirely past its peak yet. There are Halloween events and Oktoberfests from Portland to Providence. It’s prime hiking time and many golf courses, clam shacks and ice cream stands are still open for the season.
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For indoor enthusiasts, that “Killers of the Flower Moon” movie looks pretty good and there’s a ton of better stuff on TV — including many better football games.
The Patriots haven’t earned three hours of Sunday dedication anymore — not this year anyway. And those leaves in the yard aren’t going to rake themselves.
Follow MassLive sports columnist Matt Vautour on Twitter at @MattVautour424.
