The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Cellar dwellers
QB Jones returns, but questions grow for Pats after loss
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Mac Jones is back for the New England Patriots.
But his return hasn’t alleviated their uncertainty at quarterback.
In fact, it may have made it even murkier with the Patriots suddenly in the cellar of the AFC East they used to dominate.
Coach Bill Belichick was noncommittal Tuesday on what direction he’ll go moving forward following Jones’ benching in favor of Bailey Zappe after just three series in Monday’s 33-14 loss to the Chicago Bears.
Belichick reiterated for the second straight day that he planned to play both quarterbacks and that Jones’ performance — 3 of 6 passing for 13 yards and an interception — wasn’t the reason for him being benched in the second quarter.
Although, he acknowledged the health of Jones’ ankle did at least play some part in the move.
“There’s a lot of things that went into that,” Belichick said. “It’s more complicated than that. But I’ll just leave it as we did what we felt was best for the team and the players involved. Obviously, it didn’t work out. But that was the decision.”
Zappe briefly gave the Patriots some life, leading two touchdown drives that took less than four minutes to give his team a 14-10 lead in the second quarter.
But the offense had no points on five drives in the second half, which included both of Zappe’s interceptions.
“Just got to get better. Can’t fall off like I did,” Zappe said. “I’ve got to make some throws. I’ve got to make better decisions on certain things. That’s the good thing about having another week. Get back at it tomorrow.”
While overall he was more efficient than Jones in the game, Zappe is basically back at square one this week as he waits to see if he gets his third start of the season.
New England (3-4) also finds itself in a position it’s rarely been in under Belichick, at the bottom of the division as it begins a short week of preparation before