QB controversy?
The biggest takeaway from the Patriot’s ugly loss on Monday is there is no QB1. Arguments can be made that Bailey Zappe or Mac Jones should be the starter. But until Bill Belichick sits in front of a microphone and announces who the starter will be, there will be controversy in New England.
Sophomore quarterback Mac Jones started the game, completing three passes on six attempts for 13 yards and an interception. It was Jones’ sixth interception in four games this season. Jones did have three carries for 24 yards on the ground, which is a sign his ankle is healing and should not affect him moving forward.
Rookie Bailey Zappe replaced Jones on the third drive of the game and propelled the offense as he led back-to-back touchdowns. Zappe connected with Jakboi Meyers on his first touchdown and then connected with DeVante Parker on a go route down the sideline for 43 yards to put New England in the redzone.
From here, it was all downhill; Zappe was credited with a fumble and two interceptions after the second touchdown. He finished the game completing 14 passes on 22 attempts for 185 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. If Zappe wants to overtake Mac Jones, he will have to improve dramatically.
Judon and Parker show up
If there were two positives from the Patriot’s loss, it would be LB Matthew Judon and WR DeVante Parker.
Matthew Judon had 2.5 sacks Monday night and is playing at all pro levels. Judon has quickly become one of the best Patriots linebackers of all time. He is on pace for 21 sacks, 1.5 sacks short of the NFL record. The Patriot’s franchise sack leader is Andre Tippit, who has 18.5 in the 1984 season.
DeVante Parker is currently fourth in the NFL in 20+ yard plays and contunites to show why New England traded for him. His consistent catch ability is at the top of the NFL and as he likes to say 50-50 balls are like “80-20” balls.
The pats’ OL takes a step back.
The Patriot’s offensive line had another tough game against the Bears. The Patriots rushed for 70 rushing yards (3.7 per carry) on 19 attempts as a team. The line is committing unnecessary penalties at a high rate. Although Isaiah Wynn usually commits the false starts, Trent Brown took his place this week. Brown committed four penalties. Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe had the Bears in their face all night long, and the Bears tallied up three QB hits, one sack, and seven passes deflected. Amid uncertainty at the quarterback position, the offensive line has to find a way to play well.
Defense struggles
The Patriot’s defense allowed the NFL’s worst offense to rack up 390 offense yards and score 33 points. The Bears entered week seven ranked 30th in points per game, 30th in total yards per game, and 32nd in passing yards per game. So the expectation was the Bears would have trouble scoring 7 points. Instead, however, they punched the Patriots in the gut. Chicago went 11-for-18 on third down, which hadn’t been done since 2019 for the Bears.
The Patriots also had trouble stopping Justin Fields, as he ran for 82 yards on 14 carries (5.9 yards per rush). Addiontaly Fields scored on a touchdown. If New England’s offense wants to keep pace the deffense will have to do its job.
Rhamondre Stevenson RB1, with the return of Damien Harris
One of the biggest takeaways from Week 7 was Rhamondre Stevenson taking on the RB1 role even with Damien Harris back. Harris injured his hamstring in Week 5 and sat out Week 6 but returned to action against the Bears. However, he had just three carries for eight yards.
As of now, the New England backfield seems to be led by second-year back Rhamondre Stevenson. He rushed for 39 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown. Additionally, he tailed up 59 yards on eight catches. Stevenson has proven he has what it takes to become the starter, and with Damien Harris in a contract year, he may get the opportunity.
Where to now
The Patriots are 3-4 and will head south to MetLife to play the New York Jets, who are seemingly on a roll this year. The Jets are 5-2 and are second in the AFC east. I can’t remember a Jets game being so important. If the Patriots want to play football in January, it starts this week in a must-win game.
My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 17-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Thepatriotsbeat@gmail.com with any inquires.
