Bill Belichick isn’t just playing out the string with the Patriots in last place in the AFC.
The Patriots coach, whose future in Foxborough has been in question all season as the losses mounted, was caught on a hot mic screaming at a referee in the second quarter of New England’s 26-23 road win over the Broncos on Sunday night.
The Patriots (4-11) were forced to burn their first timeout of the half with 5:25 remaining after having only 10 men on the field, and Belichick seemed to believe the officials spotted the ball too quickly after Broncos offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz was penalized for unnecessary roughness, pushing them back to their own 22-yard line.
“You didn’t give us time! You just spotted the ball!” Belichick yelled as the NFL Network broadcast showed an aerial view of the stadium before cutting to commercial.
The Broncos punted four plays later and both teams traded missed field goals before Denver took a 7-3 lead into halftime.
A Marvin Mims fumble on a kickoff return late in the third quarter was scooped up by the Patriots and returned for a touchdown, giving them their second touchdown in six seconds and a 23-7 lead.
Russell Wilson threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes to help Denver tie the game with 2:53 left, but Patriots kicker Chad Ryland nailed a 56-yard field goal with two seconds remaining to give New England the win and likely end the Broncos’ playoff chances.
“That was a wild game. I’m really proud of our guys, our players, coaches. Got off to a rough start, but those guys really battled back, hung in there,” Belichick told reporters after the game. “Really happy for the hard work that our players and coaches put in, and how resilient they were.”
The Patriots have won two of their last three games after a 2-10 start as the offense has shown a pulse with Bailey Zappe taking over for Mac Jones at quarterback.
New England finishes with a road tilt against the Bills on Sunday followed by a home game against the Jets on Jan. 7, when many will wonder if the 71-year-old Belichick will be coaching his final game for the Patriots.