EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Patriots took two weeks to determine on a beginning quarterback for his or her Week 12 matchup in opposition to the Giants. There was no appropriate option to be made.
Head coach Bill Belichick in the end determined to start out the identical quarterback the Patriots had trotted out all season in Mac Jones, who had barely outperformed Bailey Zappe whereas the 2 signal-callers cut up first-team reps 50-50 over the week of observe following a Week 11 bye, in Sunday’s 10-7 loss to the Giants.
It was an odd alternative on the floor after Jones had been benched for Zappe earlier than a two-minute drill within the Patriots’ earlier recreation, a 10-6 loss to the Colts in Frankfurt, Germany. But Zappe didn’t make the choice simple on Belichick after throwing his personal interception to finish that recreation.
Jones responded with one of many absolute worst performances of his NFL profession, finishing 12-of-21 passing makes an attempt for 89 yards with two interceptions. Jones was benched after the primary half, and it was perplexing that he wasn’t pulled earlier.
His first interception got here on the finish of the primary quarter when he tossed a cross too deep to rookie large receiver Demario Douglas with three Giants defenders within the space. Deonte Banks caught the passing try like a punt.
But Jones stayed within the recreation as the 2 groups traded punts and turnovers. His subsequent decide got here with strain bearing down from the left facet with 4:39 left within the first half. Jones panicked and tried to toss the ball to Douglas, who was streaking downfield. Linebacker Bobby Okereke simply picked off the ball and returned it for 55 yards. The Giants responded with the primary factors of the sport when quarterback Tommy DeVito, a 2023 undrafted free agent who outplayed Jones as beginning QB, hit large receiver Isaiah Hodgins on a 12-yard landing cross.
Zappe started the second half and instantly led the Patriots on an 11-play, 60-yard scoring drive. Offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien’s play-calling didn’t require a lot out of Zappe because the Patriots leaned closely into the run recreation, screens and quick passes. But Zappe averted expensive errors and went 6-of-6 for 38 yards earlier than operating again Rhamondre Stevenson scored on a 7-yard speeding landing.
Zappe didn’t fare as nicely in his subsequent two drives. The Patriots had been compelled to punt on their subsequent offensive sequence. Then Zappe threw an unpleasant interception on a passing try and large receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster with three defenders within the space. Safety Xavier McKinney simply jumped Smith-Schuster’s route for the turnover.
The Giants capitalized on the interception with a subject purpose to go up 10-7.
The Patriots had an opportunity to tie late within the fourth quarter when Zappe led the Patriots on a nine-play, 33-yard drive, however rookie kicker Chad Ryland missed a 35-yard subject purpose for the loss.
Now the Patriots are proper again to the place they began after the bye week with out a viable beginning quarterback. And now they don’t even have third-stringer Will Grier to show to after waiving him Saturday. Grier may nonetheless return to the 53-man roster or observe squad if he clears waivers. The staff additionally has quarterback/large receiver Malik Cunningham on their observe squad, however he advised the Herald that he hasn’t taken reps at quarterback since Week 6.
The two groups in the end mixed for 14 punts and 4 turnovers.
BEST
S Jabrill Peppers: The veteran security got here out to play in opposition to his former staff, recovering a fumble on the Giants’ opening drive and later registering one of many Patriots’ six sacks.
DE Keion White: The rookie edge defender had one other one of many Patriots’ sacks. He additionally delivered a powerful hit on Giants tight finish Daniel Bellinger wanting the sticks to drive a punt.
DT Christian Barmore: The younger defensive sort out continued to make a significant impression with a sack, batted cross and sort out for loss.
WORST
QB Mac Jones: Jones’ efficiency didn’t permit the Patriots to be aggressive offensively in opposition to one of many worst groups within the NFL.
QB Bailey Zappe: It didn’t take lengthy for Zappe to throw his personal boneheaded interception into triple protection.
Okay Chad Ryland: The Patriots had an opportunity to tie late within the recreation however Ryland pulled his kick large left for a miss.
CB J.C. Jackson: DeVito picked on Jackson early and infrequently. Jackson was beat by rookie Jalin Hyatt for 22- and 41-yard completions.
Source: www.bostonherald.com