The Patriots’ 6-1 defeat to the Colts in Frankfurt

After failing to score in Germany, the Patriots lost 10-6 to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, lowering their season record to 2-8 before a much-needed bye week. After a promising first drive, the Pats struggled to score through the air and relied on the ground game, where they gained yards but couldn’t score.

Myles Bryant had a pick, and the Pats were solid defensively until the Colts’ opening score drive. The Colts defeated the Pats overseas with five sacks, a Chad Ryland missed short field goal, and two fourth-quarter interceptions.

Instant analysis and major takeaways from the loss.

1. Sack halts promising start; Colts respond:

The Patriots opened the game with their longest drive of the season, but a third-down sack in the red zone forced them to settle for a 37-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead. The sack foreshadowed third-down issues.

On the 13-play, 61-yard drive, Mike Gesicki made a challenging grab on a third-and-7, and Ezekiel Elliott took a screen throw for 19 yards. Rhamondre Stevenson gained 19 yards on three carries.

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The Pats started well considering their recent starts, but it was maddening to settle for three points instead of seven when big-time problem DeForest Buckner’s interior push blew apart the final third-down play.

After that red zone stop, Gardner Minshew converted a third-down scramble to former Bills receiver Isaiah McKenzie for the Colts. The Patriots defence struggled to stop running back Jonathan Taylor, who gained 31 yards and scored on a fourth-down play from the one-yard line.

The Patriots nearly forced a three-and-out on a 14-play, 75-yard drive that lasted over seven minutes. Indy led 7-3 as the Patriots tried to contain Taylor and the big plays.

2. Bad Pats sacks piling up:

After rookie right guard Sidy Sow was beaten for a quick rush up the middle, Mac Jones took another third-down sack as the teams traded punts. After a three-and-out, the Patriots pressured for a block on fourth down but failed. Without a returner, the ball bounced favourably for the Colts, negating any field possession gain.

The Pats punted again after Mac took another sack, this time on the first down that lost five yards, and placed the offence in a hole they couldn’t escape. Mac took a third-down sack on New England’s fourth drive and a fourth on the fifth. Five Patriots first-half sacks, the team’s offensive highlight, set a season best in two quarters.

New England struggled with protection early on, but their defence helped them force two three-and-outs and three punts after allowing the long opening touchdown drive. After a fourth-down conversion, the Colts missed a field goal to end the first half, leading 7-3 at halftime.

3. Bryant “picks” the Patriots:

On the first possession of the second half, Myles Bryant intercepted a tipped ball to put the offence in Colts territory. It was the game’s first interception and the Patriots’ eighth in five games, a positive trend. Defender Jahlani Tavai tipped Gardner Minshew’s pass.

Third-down pressure stalled the Patriots’ next drive, as Chad Ryland missed a 35-yard goal. The fumble did not help the offence, and the drive ended with six straight rushes until Mac passed on third down.

4. Pats run, special teams fail:

Mac Jones had another horrifying play, a near-interception in the end zone, as the Patriots left the third quarter with 11 runs and three passes. The offence settled for a field goal following a 15-play, 93-yard drive to within one. The team had only three third-down conversions on 10 attempts in the early fourth quarter.

Unfortunately, a 41-yard kickoff return gave Indy momentum. They led 10-6 midway through the fourth quarter after a 20-yard drive and a field goal.

5. Zappe loses to Mac:

Following the Colts’ touchdown drive, the Patriots ran well. A red zone score would have given them the lead, but their first turnover of the day came at the worst time.

Mac’s short-armed back-foot ball was intercepted at the Indianapolis five-yard line off play action. The Patriots lost near-certain points due to a terrible mistake.

6. Patriots 2-8:

The Patriots fell to 2-8 and head into their bye week looking for answers outside the roster. The Patriots offence threw two game-killing interceptions and couldn’t score, while their defence allowed just enough to win. The week’s issue was sacks, especially on third down, so it was whack-a-mole. Mac’s fourth-quarter interception was the ultimate blow.

New England will use their week off to analyse their final seven games. The struggling team will go back to Germany to face the New York Giants after the bye.