Crowe: Mayo Is Patriots New Head Coach

Crowe: Mayo Is Patriots New Head Coach

All things end badly. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t end, would they? So, with that, the 24-year relationship between the New England Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick that combined for six Super Bowl titles, nine conference championships, 17 AFC East division titles, and 30 playoff victories, came to an end Thursday. The good thing for Patriots fans is that the two sides decided not to further drag it out into a mess for weeks that could’ve hindered future success after having losings seasons in three of the past four years.

“Robert [Kraft] and I, after a series of discussions, have mutually agreed to part ways. For me, this is a day of gratitude and celebration,” said Belichick during press conference with Patriots owner Robert Kraft. “I will always be a Patriot. I look forward to coming back here. But, at this time, we're going to move on. I look forward, am excited for the future. But I am always very appreciative of the opportunity here, the support here, and Robert, what you've done for me.”

Kraft went on to add, “I thank Coach Bill for his hard work and dedication. It will be difficult to see him in a cutoff hoodie on the sideline, but I will always wish him continued success, except when he's playing our beloved Patriots.”

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With that, we now know that Belichick will be coaching somewhere else next season and that the Patriots will have someone new at the helm. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Friday, that man will be current linebackers coach Jerod Mayo, who reportedly had language in his contract that stated he would be Belichick’s successor when he moved on from Foxboro. He will be formally introduced next week.

As for Belichick, there are also plenty of places for him to go including the Falcons, Raiders, Panthers, Commanders, Chargers, Seahawks, and Titans should he want to chase Don Shula’s record elsewhere. Television work could be next on his plate too as CBS may be cleaning house on its pregame show with expiring contracts for James Brown, Phil Simms, Boomer Esiason, and Bill Cowher or maybe it’s FOX with Brady or NBC with Devin McCourty.

Thankfully for both sides, the first step has been made.

Super Wild Card Weekend Games
(Ravens and 49ers get first-round byes as #1 seeds)

Saturday’s games

#5 Browns at #4 Texans (4:30 pm on NBC)
Talk about your firsts for Houston (10-7). They hung on to win the AFC South with a road win at Indianapolis and the Titans knocked out the Jaguars on the final day of the regular season. So, rookie head coach DeMeco Ryans and quarterback C.J. Stroud will take on the NFL’s stingiest defense (270 yards/game) in the Browns (11-5) in their first playoff game together. Cleveland, led by resurgent QB Joe Flacco, who was on his couch six weeks ago, and WR Amari Cooper, love the big plays and used them to knock out Houston 36-22 in week 16 with Cooper racking up a franchise record 236 yards receiving.
Key: Texans offensive line protecting Stroud
Winner: Texans

#6 Dolphins at #3 Chiefs (8 pm on Peacock)
This is a rematch of the NFL’s first game in November in Frankfurt, Germany, in which the Chiefs (11-6) went up 21-0 before holding on for the 21-14 victory. Both teams have struggled offensively of late and with injuries down the stretch which is why they are in this 3-6 game. Temps are expected to be in the teens with wind chills in the single digits.  The Dolphins (11-6), led by former Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill, will have to face the second-best scoring defense (17.1). They’ll also have to try to contain Patrick Mahomes without defensive end Bradley Chubb, who’s out with a torn ACL.
Key: Chiefs secondary not giving up big plays
Winner: Chiefs

Sunday’s games

#7 Steelers at #2 Bills (1 pm on CBS)
The Bills (11-6) had been the streakiest team earlier this season which led them to a 6-6 record. Since then, they’ve won five straight, six of seven games, the AFC East title, and a home game in round one. Somehow, the Steelers have hung in there with third-string quarterback Mason Rudolph and a stout running game behind Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. Pittsburgh (10-7) will be without defensive end T.J. Watt after he suffered a grade 3 MCL sprain in the team’s win over Baltimore.
Key: Josh Allen not turning ball over for Bills
Winner: Bills

#7 Packers at #2 Cowboys (4:30 pm on FOX)
Dallas (12-5) head coach Mike McCarthy takes on his former team, the Packers. The Cowboys are undefeated at home this season, beating teams by over 30 points per game. Green Bay, led by third-year sensation Jordan Love at quarterback, won their last three straight to get them into postseason play. If the Packers (9-8) can’t contain CeeDee Lamb, they’ll be headed back to Wisconsin after round one.
Key: Packers playing ball control offense
Winner: Cowboys

#6 Rams at #3 Lions (8 pm on NBC)
Here’s the game with the best storyline as Matthew Stafford comes home to Detroit (12-5) as a Ram in the Lions' first home game since 1993, facing Jared Goff, the quarterback that led the Rams (10-7) to a Super Bowl victory in 2018. With Kyran Williams running the ball and the duo of Cooper Kupp and rookie Puka Nacua leading the way, Los Angeles has won seven of its last eight games, losing only an overtime game at Baltimore on a punt return.
Key: Sam LaPorta’s knee injury situation
Winner: Lions

Monday’s game

#5 Eagles at #4 Buccaneers (8 pm on ABC/ESPN)
It’s a surprise that both of these teams are in this game. Philly (11-6) was 10-1 and surging toward the top seed in the NFC before losing five of six games. It was supposed to be a down year for the Bucs (9-8) with Baker Mayfield as a temporary fix as quarterback. The Eagles not only lost to the Giants in week 18 but also saw injuries to wide receiver AJ Brown among others. Don’t be surprised if this is the upset of the weekend. Philly beat Tampa Bay 25-11 back in week 3 and if they don’t turn things around here, there could be changes in Philadelphia.
Key: Jalen Hurts playing well
Winner: Eagles