The Week 7 NFL clash between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium in London was expected to be a thrilling international showdown. Both teams, sitting at 1-5 on the season, were desperate to clinch their second win. The game kicked off early on Sunday morning, offering fans a chance to enjoy some football with their breakfast. Rookie Patriots QB Drake Maye was under the spotlight, making his first NFL start, while Trevor Lawrence led the Jaguars in their third consecutive London game. Despite an exciting matchup on the field, the commentary team, specifically Joe Thomas, became the center of attention””for all the wrong reasons.

As the game unfolded, fans took to social media to express their frustration with the broadcast team. Joe Thomas, the former Cleveland Browns offensive lineman turned NFL analyst, was on the receiving end of most of the criticism. One Twitter user bluntly stated, “Hey Joe Thomas ‘stfu’. This comment reflected a growing annoyance with Thomas’s analysis, as many felt that his input was lacking substance or was overly negative.

Another fan posted a GIF that read “make it stop’, signaling their irritation with Thomas’s commentary. The gif represented the mood of many viewers who felt that the broadcast was becoming unbearable because of the lackluster performance by the booth team. Thomas, alongside play-by-play commentator Chris Rose, was repeatedly called out for not delivering the kind of insightful or engaging commentary fans expect during high-stakes games, especially one held in London.

The harsh criticism didn’t stop there. One tweet went so far as to say, “Joe Thomas is a b—-“, clearly signaling the fan’s frustration. While a bit extreme, the message behind the tweet was clear: viewers were not enjoying Thomas’s commentary style. His tendency to speak critically about the teams, especially the Patriots, without offering balanced insights, rubbed many fans the wrong way.

One fan sarcastically questioned, “How much did it hurt Joe Thomas to say something nice about the Pats there?” Thomas’s perceived bias against the Patriots seemed to frustrate many viewers, as they felt he was unable to acknowledge anything positive about the team’s performance. This particular moment likely stemmed from a rare compliment that Thomas may have begrudgingly given, further fueling the perception that his commentary lacked neutrality.

Fans also picked up on Thomas’s pronunciation errors, with one viewer tweeting, “Dear Joe Thomas: JAG-wahr, not JAG-wire”. Mispronouncing team names, especially for a game played in the international spotlight, didn’t help his case. It added to the frustration, as fans expect professionalism, especially in a prime-time game.

But it wasn’t just Thomas who received backlash. Another comment read, “Chris Rose & Joe Thomas are terrible on commentary”. It wasn’t a solo act””fans were displeased with the overall broadcast. As much as fans want a competitive game, they also rely on the commentary team to enhance the broadcast experience, and this duo simply wasn’t delivering.

Lastly, one fan summed up their feelings by saying, “Joe Thomas in the booth <<<”. This comment clearly indicated that the ex-NFL player’s presence in the broadcast booth was seen as a downgrade, with fans suggesting that anyone else would have been a better fit for the role.

Jaguars overcome early deficit to defeat Patriots in London showdown

In front of a record 86,651 fans at Wembley Stadium, the Jaguars pulled off a thrilling 32-16 victory over the New England Patriots. Despite falling behind 10-0 early, Jacksonville roared back with a dominant second-quarter performance, scoring 25 unanswered points.

Trevor Lawrence, who completed 15 of 20 passes for 193 yards, showcased his poise under pressure. “It feels great,” said Lawrence. The game’s standout moment came when Parker Washington returned a punt 95 yards for a touchdown, capping off the Jags’ explosive quarter. Rookie wideout Brian Thomas Jr. also shined with 89 yards and a touchdown. Tank Bigsby was a force on the ground, racking up 118 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Despite a solid day from Patriots rookie QB Drake Maye, who threw for 276 yards and two touchdowns, New England couldn’t overcome their defensive struggles. Maye looked comfortable early, but Jacksonville’s powerful ground game proved too much.

“Everybody had a hand [in the victory],” said Jaguars coach Doug Pederson. The win was crucial for Jacksonville (2-5) as they look to salvage their season, while the Patriots (1-6) continue to struggle.