The last time Bill Belichick was here — coming off a frustrating loss, with the foundation of his New England Patriots seemingly uncertain — the loudest critics were taught the harshest lessons.
Dial it back to fall 2014, when the Patriots suffered a brutal 41-14 Monday Night Football loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Quarterback Tom Brady had an awful game. The wide receiving group was leaning on middling veteran Brandon LaFell. The offensive line was cracking. Even an extremely talented defense had just been diced up and battered by Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith and 1-2 running back punch of Knile Davis and Jamaal Charles.