Chargers 40, Patriots 7
JM: Just the lack of execution. Look, that's a good football team, and they're a well-coached football team. We just didn't play well enough in any phase of the game. No complementary football, and that's what you get.
Q. Jerod, after what you guys were able to do in Buffalo, a short week and a lot of talk about coming out strong, how disappointing and frustrating, surprising is this effort from your team today?
JM: It's very disappointing, and it comes back to consistency. That's what it is, consistency.
Q. Jerod, before the game you said on the radio that Antonio Gibson would start at running back and then Rhamondre was on the field. What went into the last-minute change there?
JM: That was just a coach's decision. Coach's decision.
Q. Did something change from the time you did the interview to the game to lead to that, or was there a miscommunication that maybe the message wasn't handed down?
JM: I understand your question. Look, it's a coach's decision. That's all I've got to say.
Q. Jerod, you and DeMarcus have described your defensive struggles this year to fundamentals, run fits and tackling. The Chargers just became the third team to score their season high in points against you, so looks like the defense has regressed. What gives you confidence that this defensive coaching staff is suited to develop this defense next season?
JM: Look, I have nothing but confidence in the coaching staff, and we'll get better. That's part of what we have to do. I have to look at the film to see some of those things you're talking about what happened on the field. But we've got to get better.
Q. Jerod, just curious, I do see Drake over there, but obviously Drake suffered the head injury, had to be evaluated for one in the first quarter. You guys are down by 30 in the fourth quarter and you sent him out there for two drives. How much thought was there to pulling him from that game down 30 and trying to protect him?
JM: Again, look, we're trying to develop a quarterback, and he wants to play. He's a competitor. He went out there.
Q. Jerod, with one game left, how much pressure do you feel, and do you feel like you and your coordinators are coaching for your jobs?
JM: I'm always under pressure and it's been that way for a very long time, not just when I became the head coach of the Patriots. I'm okay. Again, look, I always do what's best for the team.
Q. The fans at home have never been shy about expressing their thoughts about the team. We've heard it with Mac and we've heard it with Bailey. Were you cognizant of the chants that were being directed towards you at the end of the game today?
JM: Look, you hear those things, but at the same time, they paid to sit in the seats, and we've got to play better. If we play better, we don't have to hear that stuff.
Q. Jerod, can you describe for us the play where there was the fumble on the pitch from Drake, and what was the design of that play?
JM: Yeah, look, I have to watch the film and see what exactly happened, but just the exchange, obviously, was the problem there. It was a turnover.
Q. A consistent message with you each week has been we have to get better, we have to pick things up. Obviously it feels like this may be trending in the wrong direction. Do you see it that way, and at what point do you feel like you need to see it get better?
JM: Yeah, to me, every game is unique. It's a game in itself. Look, I said at the beginning of this press conference, it's about consistency, which we are not right now.
Q. Jerod, I was curious, it looked like on that field goal right before halftime some of the players were signaling that it wasn't actually a good kick. I was curious kind of what you saw in that and your thoughts about that whole play.
JM: Yeah, to me, it really didn't matter what anyone saw. They look at all the scoring plays and they called it good, and we've just got to be able to move forward.
Q. Do you see this being more of a talent issue or a coaching issue because you did say you've got full confidence in the staff.
JM: Yeah, I have full confidence in the staff. I have full confidence in the players in there. I think again, it just comes down to being consistent across the board.
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