Patriots fans blast Jerod Mayo for decision to punt with 8 minutes left vs. Bills: "Biggest coward in coaching history" 

The New England Patriots lost 24-21 against AFC East divisional rivals Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on Sunday in an intense game between the arch-rivals.

The Patriots led 14-0 but the Bills responded with 24 unanswered points to take a 10-point lead. New England scored late in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to three points, but quarterback Josh Allen, running back James Cook and the Bills' offense held their nerve in the game's final drive to secure the win.

The Patriots could have given themselves a lot more time to mount the comeback had they scored earlier. They had the opportunity with around eight minutes left in the game as they faced a 4th-and-5 from their 46-yard line.

Conventional wisdom suggested New England should have gone for it, considering they needed to score at least 10 to tie the game. However, head coach Jerod Mayo played it safe and called for a punt, giving the ball back to the Bills, who burnt nearly four minutes off the game clock before punting it back to the Patriots.

Patriots fans were incensed about Mayo's conservative call. They voiced their frustration with the head coach's decision on social media:

Some fans claimed to have seen enough and demanded the team move on from Mayo at the end of the season:

"You're 3-11 on the season. Down 10 with 8 minutes to go moved the ball decently all day against a playoff team and Super Bowl contender and you punt? This should be Jerod Mayo 1st and only season in New England." - Wrote @adamc4146

"The cowardice on that punt early in the 4th should lose Mayo his job alone." - Opined @hateevan

"Awful punt decision from Mayo, who has been making terrible decisions all day. he should be fired if the Patriots are serious about building around Maye." - Claimed @JoeMama158710

Will the Patriots fire Jerod Mayo?

Despite their protests, Patriots fans will likely see Jerod Mayo leading the team in 2025. On NFL Game Day, league insider Ian Rapoport reported that the team intended to retain the rookie head coach.

“The Krafts want to keep Jerod Mayo. They believe he is the leader of the organization for the future and they knew it would be a multi-year process to get this thing right. That is their stance right now. Now, if things go off the rails, they really struggle and he loses the locker room the last couple games of the season — we’ve seen this thing turn. As of now, the Patriots believe Jerod Mayo is going be there for the future.”

As long as the Patriots don't get blown out in their final two games against the Los Angeles Chargers and the Buffalo Bills, Mayo is expected to remain the head coach in 2025.