Tag: Mac Jones

Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe, throw same interception as Patriots’ downward spiral continues

The Patriots’ two quarterbacks — Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe — each threw the same horrible interception in a loss to the Giants.

You know the old saying, “If you have two quarterbacks, you really have no quarterbacks?”

That maxim has never been more true that it currently is for the New England Patriots. Bill Belichick’s team continued its horrific downward spiral on Sunday in a 10-7 loss to the Tommy DeVito-led New York Giants, and Belichick’s two quarterbacks — Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe — did something you don’t generally see.

They threw virtually the same type of interception.

As our friend Taylor Kyles points out, both Jones and Zappe threw cross-body intermediate passes into triple coverage, and in both cases, the result was what you’d expect.

I mean… that’s a carbon copy.

Belichick spent most of the week without telling anybody in the public sector who his starting quarterback would be for this game, and you can understand why.

For the game, Jones completed 12 of 21 passes for 89 yards and two interceptions before he was benched at the half, and Zappe completed nine of 14 passes for 54 yards and an interception in relief.

The 2-9 Patriots now have the second overall draft pick position behind the 1-9 Carolina Panthers, who traded their 2024 first-round pick to the Chicago Bears for the right to move up to No. 1 in the 2023 draft. They selected Alabama quarterback Bryce Young with that pick, of course.

We’re assuming that whoever’s in charge in Foxboro next year will be looking similarly at a college quarterback to reboot the franchise.

Twitter reacts to worst Mac Jones meltdown yet vs Giants

As if things couldn’t get any worse for Mac Jones and the Patriots offense…

Whoever said things couldn’t get worse likely jinxed New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones.

The third-year signal-caller came into Sunday’s game already on thin ice for his ugly Week 10 performance against the Indianapolis Colts. Yet, against a bad New York Giants team, Jones turned in his worst first-half meltdown for the Patriots this season.

He went 12-of-21 passing for 89 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions in the first two quarters. There was also a near strip-sack fumble by Jones that the Patriots managed to recover.

With all of the questions surrounding the quarterback position, Jones didn’t do himself any favors in proving he was more deserving of the starting job over Bailey Zappe. Some of his throws in the game were mind-numbingly bad. If he wasn’t missing receivers, he was throwing the ball to the other team.

It has been an absolute mess of a performance from a player that was once viewed as the longtime answer at quarterback in New England. Here’s what fans were saying on Twitter after Jones’ pitiful first half against the Giants:

Patriots Twitter furious over reported dual-QB game plan with Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe

Patriots fans are not happy with reports that both Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe are expected to play against the Giants.

The New England Patriots have reached a new level of weird if recent reports regarding their quarterback plan for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants ends up being true.

Per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Patriots are expected to start Mac Jones at quarterback, but backup Bailey Zappe will likely also “be in the mix as well.”

Coach Bill Belichick was non-committal to naming a starting quarterback throughout the week. There was belief he could land on a decision before the game against the Giants, but it’s looking like the same song and dance could actually play out on the football field with the Patriots going with a dual-quarterback game plan.

Playing musical chairs at quarterback in a game is typically a bad idea, but somehow, someway, Belichick must view it as giving the team their best chance to win, assuming he goes through with it.

Given how poorly the season has gone for the Patriots, it’s hardly surprising to see them go down this path. It’s a convoluted mess right now in New England that grows even messier by the week.

Here’s what fans are saying on Twitter about the reported dual-quarterback game plan:

WATCH: Expected starting QB Mac Jones arrives to MetLife Stadium

Mac Jones, who is expected to start on Sunday, looks like he means business heading in against the Giants.

Mac Jones looked like he means business walking into MetLife Stadium on Sunday, ahead of the New England Patriots’ Week 12 matchup against the New York Giants.

There have been discussions surrounding the quarterback job in New England with coach Bill Belichick being non-committal towards naming a starter. However, according to the Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan, Jones is expected to be the man under center against the Giants.

The Patriots’ third-year quarterback has a lot to prove after being benched for Bailey Zappe in the Week 10 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. ESPN’s Mike Reiss caught him walking into MetLife Stadium with a deeply focused look on Sunday.

Jones could be on a short leash in this game.

Considering how long it took for the team to name a starter, Belichick might be quick to replace him for Zappe if the struggles continue. A potential start would likely come with thin ice for the former Alabama standout.

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Patriots-Giants game day poll: Who wins on Sunday?

Patriots or Giants? Who wins this matchup?

[polldaddy poll=13027085]

Some have called it the “Tank Bowl,” and others are calling it a clash between two of the most hapless teams in the NFL. Whatever you want to call it, the New England Patriots and New York Giants will go to battle on Sunday.

The Patriots are coming off a bye week after dropping one of their worst losses of the season to the Indianapolis Colts. In a game where the defense managed to hold a top-10 Colts offense to only 10 points, the Patriots offense only mustered two field goals in the AFC matchup.

Mac Jones was benched in the game for Bailey Zappe, and there has been a quarterback conundrum in New England ever since.

The Giants know all about quarterback issues with the team forced to go with rookie Tommy DeVito under center after losing Daniel Jones for the season. A combination of protection issues, lack of explosive receiving talent and inexperience has led to DeVito mostly floundering on the field.

However, he did show some promise in the team’s surprising 31-19 road win over the Washington Commanders, going 18-of-26 passing for 246 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions.

Can he keep that momentum going on Sunday, or will the Patriots defense ruin his short-lived success?

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Patriots Wire Podcast: Still thanks to be had in disastrous season

Yes, it’s bad. The Patriots are 2-8 and on the outs as playoff contenders. But there’s plenty to be thankful for with a much-needed rebuild in the works.

This has without question been the most disappointing season for the New England Patriots in the Bill Belichick era. The team has sunk to the bottom of the AFC with a 2-8 record, which is the worst in the conference.

It’s crazy to think the Patriots were hoisting their sixth Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl LIII four years ago. Now, they’re one of the worst teams in the NFL and can’t even make the playoffs.

But this is a week for giving thanks, and in this week’s episode of the Patriots Wire Podcast, Ryan O’Leary and I do exactly that when talking about this season.

It hasn’t all been bad for New England.

There are reasons to hope for a better future with the franchise, starting with the massive rebuild that is likely to come in 2024.

Follow the Patriots Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

Please, share with us your thoughts and opinions on the topics covered in this week’s show. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter.

What are you most thankful for when it comes to the Patriots this season? If you could have Thanksgiving dinner with any NFL coach, who would it be? Will the Patriots beat the Giants?

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Instant analysis of Patriots waiving Will Grier amid QB struggles

The QB carousel continues in New England.

The supposed open quarterback competition for the New England Patriots ended at the same place it started, with Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe being the top-two options.

On Saturday,  ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Patriots had waived veteran signal-caller Will Grier a day before the Week 12 matchup against the New York Giants.

After the embarrassing loss to the Indianapolis Colts in a game where Jones was benched, there was a shared belief that the Patriots would consider going in a different direction at quarterback. Grier was an obvious option because he was a player that had yet to take a snap this season.

There was a mystery surrounding him that seemed enticing for an offense that has failed long enough to know Jones and Zappe aren’t the answer. But Grier, who was signed in late September, couldn’t catch up after missing all of the spring and summer work with the Patriots.

Coach Bill Belichick alluded to this when appearing on Patriots All Access with Scott Zolak.

“(He’s doing) a little bit better each week,” Belichick said. “Just a little more familiarity with being able to run our plays. He just hasn’t had a chance to — you know what it’s like playing quarterback. The backup quarterback, you never get enough reps as it is.

“So, that’s the backup quarterback, and then the third quarterback is even less than that. And when you’re new and you haven’t been here in training camp and had the full background of OTAs and training camp and a chance really to run our core plays, it’s just a lot to catch up on.”

Grier failed to climb the depth chart, and the Patriots needed the open roster spot, which could be used to elevate offensive tackle Riley Reiff from injured reserve or Conor McDermott from the practice squad.

Per the Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan, Jones and Zappe split all of the starting reps this week. With Malik Cunningham not getting quarterback reps and Grier now a free agent, that leaves Jones and Zappe as the only two options to start for the Patriots on Sunday.

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Giants vs. Patriots: 5 biggest storylines for Week 12

The New York Giants face the New England Patriots in Week 12. Here are the five biggest storylines to follow for this contest.

The New York Giants (3-8) play host to the New England Patriots (2-8) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey this Sunday afternoon.

Here are five storylines we’re following in Week 12.

Behind Enemy Lines: Week 12 Q&A with Patriots Wire

With a Week 12 game between the New York Giants and New England Patriots on tap, we go behind enemy lines for a chat with Patriots Wire.

The New York Giants (3-8) and New England Patriots (2-8) will square off on Sunday afternoon in a Week 12 matchup at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The Giants opened the week as 3.5-point home underdogs and that’s where the spread remains of this writing after briefly dropping to +3.

With this matchup on tap, Giants Wire took the opportunity to hold a Q&A with Patriots Wire managing editor Jordy McElroy.

Twitter reacts to Bill Belichick still undecided on starting QB, two days before game

The Patriots are two days away from Sunday’s game against the Giants, and they still haven’t decided on a starting quarterback.

The New England Patriots are two days away from their Week 12 clash with the New York Giants, and they still haven’t made a decision on a starting quarterback.

When pressed on the issue at Friday’s press conference, Belichick refused to broach the subject and officially name a starter. So the Patriots will go into the weekend with the same uncertainty that’s been hovering over the team all week at the most important position on the football field.

Mac Jones has reportedly been getting first-team reps during the media portion of practice, while Bailey Zappe has worked in with the second-team unit.

Meanwhile, Belichick has alluded to Will Grier still having some catching up to do in the offense, and Malik Cunningham hasn’t even taken a practice snap at quarterback since before the Patriots’ Week 6 matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders.

It’s easy to see why outsiders looking in would consider the current quarterback situation in New England a complete mess right now. Here’s what people are saying on social media about the team’s quarterback situation: