Flop also in Frankfurt: Patriots continue to lose
Another setback for the former football champions: the New England Patriots were unable to end their sporting crisis in Germany and are staggering towards a hopeless remaining season in the NFL.
In front of 50,144 fans - including national team players Leon Goretzka and Mats Hummels - the Patriots lost 6:10 (3:7) to the Indianapolis Colts in Frankfurt.
Even the support of thousands of Patriots fans dressed in blue was not enough for head coach Bill Belichick's team to show a sign of sporting life. With eight defeats from ten games, the former top club from Foxborough is currently a long way from its previous successes. A play-off appearance is out of reach.
There was little sign of the entertainment character of the previous week on the second Frankfurt matchday. Where Nico Santos and Kontra K had performed in the top game between Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins (21:14) seven days earlier, the Patriots and Colts had no half-time show. The other differences were also clear: a bumpy game, hardly any famous names, no rumors about the appearance of world stars like pop singer Taylor Swift. The game thrived on the numerous crowd-pleasers in the stands, who cheered on the Patriots in particular.
Former German NFL players such as Markus Kuhn, Sebastian Vollmer and Björn Werner fired up the crowd. Former DFB director Oliver Bierhoff (55) has been working as a consultant for the Patriots since October. "I'm delighted with the great atmosphere and that we as Germany can present ourselves as a great host country. Germany is a big topic in our organization. Everyone is fired up," Bierhoff said on DAZN before the start of the game.
Patriots head coach Belichick followed his team's performance wearing a blue and white bobble hat. The 71-year-old has coached the team since 2000 and his six Super Bowl rings no longer fit on one hand. Since the departure of star quarterback Tom Brady in 2020, however, things have gone significantly downhill in sporting terms. Belichick has recently avoided questions about his professional future. They are likely to remain with him.
A few hours before the start of the game, hundreds of fans marched through Frankfurt behind a meter-long Patriots banner with the inscription "Patriots Fans Germany". Many football fans also gathered early at the stadium. Wearing colorful jerseys with various club logos and names of former star players. When it comes to football, German fans are often more attached to the league or individual idols, not necessarily a specific team.
All those who missed out on the more than three million ticket requests were able to watch the show on RTL as well as DAZN. The broadcaster showed eleven hours of football in the main program, starting with the game in Frankfurt.
Game not top-class, but exciting
Before kick-off, the New England Patriots cheerleaders danced to songs including "More Than a Feeling" and "Dream On" on the NFL logo in the middle of the stadium. A song selection that should suit German football fans on this day. Because the spectacle will not take place here in Germany again soon. The NFL will not return to Munich until the fall of 2024. In 2025, it will be Frankfurt's turn again.
The Colts, coached by Shane Steichen (38), kicked off on time at 3.30 pm. The Patriots immediately started with high pressure, but conceded an early touchdown after a successful field goal. Spurred on by the lead, the Colts' offense approached the end zone more than once, but Indianapolis did not score again before the break.
Things remained bumpy but exciting after half-time. Another Patriots field goal added to the tension, but the Colts followed suit and increased their lead again in the final quarter. Shortly before the end, the Colts intercepted a promising Patriots pass towards the end zone - and thus prevented a touchdown. The game was decided.
Source: www.dpa.com
