FOXBORO — A quarterback change did nothing to repair the Patriots’ anemic offense in Sunday’s 6-0 loss to the Chargers.
Bailey Zappe changed Mac Jones because the Patriots’ beginning quarterback in an anticipated transfer, however the Pats had been shut out for the second time this season in an offensive efficiency that was troublesome to look at.
Zappe, who was 2-0 as a starter as a rookie in 2022, lastly was given his first begin of the season after Jones was benched throughout 4 separate video games this yr. Jones was benched when the rating was out of hand in consecutive losses in Weeks 4 and 5 to the Cowboys and Saints. After a greater stretch of play, he was once more benched in consecutive weeks in opposition to the Colts and Giants whereas these video games had been nonetheless aggressive attributable to turnovers.
Zappe averted any turnovers however went simply 13-of-25 for 141 yards. He was sacked 5 occasions.
The Patriots’ most fun play got here on a 39-yard carry by Tyquan Thornton on a reverse halfway by the fourth quarter. The play led an unusually sparse Gillette Stadium crowd to chant Zappe’s identify earlier than a Chargers sack on fourth-and-5 on the subsequent set of downs pressured a change of possession.
The Patriots’ protection was stout as soon as once more in opposition to a Chargers staff that includes one of many NFL’s greatest quarterback-wide receiver mixtures in Justin Herbert and Keenan Allen, permitting simply two subject targets, each on brief fields, within the loss.
Herbert was simply 22-of-37 for 212 yards with none landing passes, whereas Allen — within the midst of a profession yr — was held to 5 catches on 9 targets for 58 yards.
It was the third straight recreation that the Patriots’ protection allowed 10 or fewer factors and nonetheless misplaced.
The Chargers transformed their first subject objective after only a seven-play, 27-yard drive early within the second quarter after beginning the drive on the Patriots’ 47-yard line.
They kicked one other subject objective late within the second quarter after a four-play, 7-yard drive. The Chargers began their drive on the Patriots’ 27-yard line after Bryce Baringer’s 57-yard punt was returned 34 yards by rookie Derius Davis.
Zappe and the offense had 4 drives to mount a comeback within the second half however punted twice and turned the ball over on downs twice.
The Chargers clinched the sport with a 23-yard completion from Herbert to broad receiver Alex Erickson on third-and-11 with 1:47 remaining within the recreation earlier than kneeling on the ball for the win.
Patriots rookie Malik Cunningham was elevated from the follow squad for Sunday’s recreation however didn’t obtain any enjoying time. The Patriots by no means obtained contained in the crimson zone in Sunday’s loss.
The Patriots turned the ball over simply as soon as on a misplaced fumble by working again Rhamondre Stevenson, who fumbled whereas injuring his ankle on a hip-drop sort out from Chargers rookie outdoors linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu.
BEST
WR DeVante Parker: He was flagged for a false begin, however Parker additionally caught 4 passes on 9 targets for 64 yards and drew a defensive cross interference penalty.
CB J.C. Jackson: It was a stable exhibiting for Jackson, who had two cross breakups Sunday in opposition to the staff that traded him again to the Patriots earlier this season.
DE Josh Uche: Uche stuffed working again Austin Ekeler for a 7-yard lass late within the second quarter in certainly one of his greatest performs in run protection of his Patriots profession.
WORST
RT Mike Onwenu: Typically one of many Patriots’ few shiny spots on offense, Onwenu had hassle blocking Chargers defensive finish Khalil Mack.
QB Bailey Zappe: The Patriots’ new beginning quarterback didn’t present a spark after changing Jones.
Another key damage: It was obvious that working again Stevenson was not coming again into the sport after he was unable to place weight on his proper ankle after struggling an damage late within the first quarter.
Source: www.bostonherald.com