Sure it was hot Sunday afternoon in Jacksonville. The game time temperature was 97 degrees, the hottest that Tom Brady and the Patriots have ever played in.
But it was more what the Jaguars did to New England than the effects of the heat that did in Bill Belichick's team as the Patriots fell to 1-1 on the season in the 31-20 loss.
The Boston Globe says that in this rematch from last January's AFC title game it was the Jaguars and not the Patriots who made the key play on the way to victory. The Globe observes that the loss for New England was very un-Patriots- and un-Brady-like. The Globe offers up 20 thoughts on the Patriots loss. The Globe lists the highs, lows and everything in-between in Jacksonville. The Globe details how the Jags backed up their pregame trash talk. The Globe passes on a report that wide receiver Kenny Britt could be returning to New England. Jacksonville's win included what the Globe called the game of Blake Bortles’ life. The Globe notes that both Patrick Chung and Trey Flowers left the game in Jacksonville with concussions.
The Boston Herald declares that troubling team traits emerged in the Patriots loss in Florida on Sunday. The Herald says the Patriots were outclassed by the Jags in the AFC title rematch. The Herald says that Jacksonville took care of its business against Rob Gronkowski.
The Providence Journal observes that the Patriots just had no answers for the Jags on Sunday. The ProJo says New England fell flat in Jacksonville. The ProJo notes that the Gronkowski battle with Jalen Ramsey turned into a dud. The ProJo writes that rookie first-round pick Sony Michel’s debut was ruined in Jacksonville.
ESPNBoston.com says that the Patriots defense took a big step back in the loss to Jacksonville. ESPNBoston.com notes New England losing two defensive starters to concussions. ESPNBoston.com's Sunday notes had the Patriots on the cusp of an historic win, one that didn’t come in Jacksonville.
WEEI.com has a five-point plan to fix the Patriots after the ugly Week 2 loss. WEEI.com offers up quick thoughts from the frustrating loss to Jacksonville. WEEI.com writes that this early-season Patriots loss feels “different, worse” than those in past seasons. WEEI.com has Ramsey refusing to say whether there is a changing of the guard in the AFC. WEEI.com has Michel less than thrilled with his NFL debut.
NBC Sports Boston says not to panic yet, this is just the Patriots usual September stumble. NBC Sports Boston writes that it was safety Tashaun Gipson and not Ramsey who kept Gronkowski quiet on Sunday. NBC Sports Boston writes that the Patriots are clearly still a work in progress. NBC Sports Boston offers the bests and worsts from Brady’s first career loss to the Jags. NBC Sports Boston called Gronk a “no show” in the loss.
NFL.com has three key takeaways from each of Sunday’s games, including the New England loss.
MassLive.com says the Jags beat the Patriots at their own game on Sunday. MassLive.com also says that how the Patriots bounce back from Sunday will decide their fate in 2018.
NESN.com writes that the Jags didn’t need Ramsey to shut down Gronkowski.
NBCSports.com writes that the Patriots are doing their research on soon-to-be-former Browns receiver Josh Gordon.
