The New England Patriots fell short to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday in disappointing fashion. There weren’t many positive takeaways to draw from new head coach Mike Vrabel’s first game, as the offense went back to its lethargic nature, while the defense failed to stop Geno Smith and an underwhelming Raiders receiving corps.

Vrabel also raised a few questions with his decision-making during the contest, and the coach directly threw his punter under the bus to cover for his own terrible choice.

Mike Vrabel Throws Patriots Punter Bryce Baringer Under the Bus to Save His Own Credibility

Speaking to the media after the loss, Vrabel was asked about his bizarre and downright unacceptable decision to punt on fourth down with roughly five minutes left in the game down 10 points. He commented that he would have liked a better punt out of Bryce Baringer, who managed to only get 21 net yards on the kick.

Even if Baringer pinned the Raiders deep, it still was a foolish decision from Vrabel. You’re counting on your defense to get a three-and-out, then your offense to immediately score, then your defense to once again get a three-and-out to even have a chance at a game-winning score.

We have enough information at this point to know that this type of coaching decisions are what get people fired. There is no excuse for Vrabel’s game management here, and he should be criticized. If you fall short on 4th-and-10, guess what? You’re in the same position that you would be if you punted, needing a three-and-out to have any chance to win.

In his first game as New England’s head coach, Vrabel was terrible. This loss falls on him, but instead of taking responsibility, he shifted it to his punter. That’s laughable and embarrassing, suggesting perhaps that Vrabel didn’t learn his lesson after being fired from the Tennessee Titans.

Obviously, you want a better punt. That said, you never should have punted in the first place. This loss falls squarely on Vrabel’s shoulders and it’s a joke that he called out his player instead of owning up to his own mistake. For someone that’s a player’s coach, it’s truly laughable.

Vrabel needs to take a long, hard look in the mirror or else his Patriots tenure will be as short as Jerod Mayo’s.