New England Patriots-Los Angeles Chargers Notebook: Bailey Zappe Experiment Flops

Second-year quarterback Bailey Zappe made his first start of the season. Yet, the New England Patriots fell 6-0 to the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium in Week 13.

FOXBORO — With the eyes of New England Patriots fans fixed on new starting quarterback Bailey Zappe, the team’s offense fell even further into the depths of gridiron oblivion on a soggy afternoon at Gillette Stadium. 

For the second time this season, New England was shut out at home as they surrendered a 6-0 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 13  — marking the first time in franchise history that the Pats were held scoreless at home in more than one game in a given season. 

Having fallen to 2-10, the paradoxical Patriots continue to wallow in the mire of their worst statistical season since 1993, while also helping themselves in securing a high-value selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. 

Nonetheless, the sting of their fifth-straight loss is causing frustration within the team’s locker room and will be felt heading into the final games of the season. 

New England’s Change in Quarterback Did Not Matter

Entering Week 13, Zappe had made four relief appearances for the Pats, having completed only 19 passes for 158 yards with zero touchdowns and two interceptions. During that time, he routinely showed difficulty with accuracy, making his reads, as well as getting the ball downfield. 

Unfortunately, those problems continued into Sunday’s loss against the Chargers. The Western Kentucky product began his day by pitching a three-and-out on his first series, with his first throw sailing behind receiver DeVante Parker on a slant route. Overall, New England ran 11 offensive series — eight of which ended in punts, and two resulted in turnovers on downs in the game’s closing moments. During their 31:10 time of possession, the Pats failed to advance the ball into the red zone even once. Though Zappe turned in a few noteworthy throws — the best of which came on a 21-yard completion to Parker on a third-quarter second-and-5 — his struggles with accuracy doomed the Pats progress on more than one occasion. 

In the final analysis, Zappe exhibited greater downfield vision and better protection of the football than Jones. However, the 24-year-old tendency to hold on to the ball led to his taking five sacks, including back-to-back takedowns in the fourth quarter, which knocked New England out of field goal range. While Jones may have played his way out of the starting position, Sunday’s game seemingly confirmed that the team’s problems at quarterback run deeper than him. 

New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe (4) throws a pass against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second quarter at Gillette Stadium / Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Hard to Ignore the Impact of Injuries

In addition to losing cornerstone players such as linebacker Matthew Judon, and cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez and Marcus Jones to season-ending injuries, the Pats may also may be without the services of their top offensive threat for the foreseeable future.

Running back Rhamondre Stevenson suffered what it is believed to be a sprained ankle while attempting to secure a first down on second-and 5 at the Chargers 31 yard-line with 4:25 left in the first quarter. While initial x-rays on his ankle were reportedly negative, Stevenson will undergo an MRI to determine how long he could be sidelined.

In Stevenson’s absence, Ezekiel Elliott assumed the role of lead back. Despite dealing with a thigh injury for the majority of the week, Elliott carried the ball 17 times for 52 yards — proving himself capable of keeping the Patriots ground game moving. 

Still, the injury to Stevenson meant another void in a key position for the Patriots offense. New England was already without the services of rookie receivers Demario Douglas (concussion) and Kayshon Boutte (illness, shoulder.) With Stevenson — and possibly Douglas — potentially missing Thursday night’s matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England’s offense task of moving the ball against a tough Steelers defense has become significantly more difficult. 

Tyquan Thornton … In a Flash

The curious case of receiver Tyquan Thornton continued on Sunday as the second-year speedster showcased his strengths, while also accentuating his weaknesses. Thornton  had a 39-yard run in the fourth quarter, the longest play of his career and second longest run ever by a Patriots wide receiver (Julian Edelman had a 47-yard run vs. the Indianapolis Colts in 2012.) His previous long was a 19-yard touchdown run against the Cleveland Browns in October 2022. With the Pats struggling to move the ball, Thornton may continue to be an option as a backfield carrier in the coming weeks. 

For as much promise as the Baylor product has when it comes to speed, his abilities to run routes and secure the ball down field have kept him from reaching his full potential — his drop of a well-placed deep pass from Zappe at the Chargers’ 25-yard line being a prototypical example. Should these issues continue into next season, Thornton will continue to have a difficult time seeing the field. 

Defense Deserved Better … Much Better

In spite of the numerous troubles being exhibited by the offense, the Patriots defense has performed at a high level.  The Pats preventive unit has held its last three opponents to 10 points or less, with each of those games resulting in a loss. In fact, they are the first team to do so since the 1938 Chicago Cardinals.

Defenseless: Patriots' Awful Offense Negates Inspired Play

Against the Chargers, New England’s defense yielded only 214 net yards of offense, while allowing only five third-down conversions on 15 attempts. On the ground, the Patriots held the Chargers to just 29 yards on 24 carries for a 1.2-yard average — the fewest rushing yards allowed since the team held the Miami Dolphins to 15 yards in Oct. 2015. the triumvirate of running backs Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelly, as well as quarterback Justin Herbert, combined for 29 yards on 24 carries. 

The Pats defense was just as effective when defending the pass. By playing mostly zone coverage, the Pats were able to take away Herbert’s preferred concepts. Safeties Jabrill Peppers and Jalen Mills made plays both on and away from the ball, while the Pats alternated the coverage on Ekeler between linebackers and defensive backs. Though Belichick has failed to provide many bright spots, as of late, his defense remained stingy against the Chargers’ star quarterback — against whom his defense has allowed only 30 points in three games. 

In closing, the Pats have allowed 46 points over the last four games — an average of 11.5 points per contest — with the the team sporting an abysmal 0-4 record. Failing to provide more than six points of support on Sunday against the Chargers may be the most damning indictment against New England’s offense to date. 

Up Next: 

New England faces a short week of preparation, as they are set for a Week 14 matchup on Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m.