New England Patriots vs. Los Angeles Chargers Preview: Different QB, Same Result?

Can switching from Mac Jones to Bailey Zappe at quarterback help the New England Patriots break their offensive drought and four-game losing streak against the Los Angeles Chargers?

In Week 13, the New England Patriots host the Los Angeles Chargers in a matchup of two teams desperate for a win amid spiraling seasons.

Both teams are coming off losses in Week 12. Patriots coach Bill Belichick benched quaterback Mac Jones mid-game again (fourth time this season) when the Patriots lost to the New York Giants 10-7. Meanwhile, the Chargers fell to the Baltimore Ravens, 20-10. 

The Patriots offense ranks No. 31 in the NFL, averaging only 14.1 points per game. New England’s offense hasn’t scored more than seven points in two straight games and hasn't topped 30 all season.

A bright spot for New England is its improving rushing attack. Rhamondre Stevenson has strung together several quality outings in a row, including a season-high 98 rushing yards last week.

The Patriots eighth-ranked defense looks to get after Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. Herbert has a 66 completion percentage with 20 touchdowns with only six interceptions. His connection with Keenen Allen is special: Allen has 97 catches for 1,117 yards and seven touchdowns.

L.A. is on an agonizing three-game losing streak after dropping a lead in each one. Five of the last seven Chargers defeats have been decided by less than one score. 

The Patriots are last in the AFC East, and at 2-9 own the worst record in the AFC. A bit of optimism - If the season ended today the Patriots would have the No. 3 selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Bill Belichick has finally decided to take the offense away from turnover-prone Mac Jones :: Cred: Nancy Lane/Boston Herald

Questions about coach Belichick's job security continue to swirl. In typical Belichick fashion, he didn't pay much mind to those concerns.

RECORDS: New England Patriots (2-9) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (4-7)

ODDS: New England is a 6-point underdog vs. the Chargers

GAME TIME: Sunday, December 3rd, 2023 at 1 p.m. ET

LOCATION: Gillette Stadium - Foxborough, Massachusetts

TV/RADIO: CBS, 98.5 FM THE SPORTS HUB

THE FINAL WORD: Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien on Jones:

“Things haven’t gone great for him this year, but I don’t think he’s the No. 1 guy to blame,” O’Brien said Tuesday morning. “If you want to blame anybody, blame me. I’m the one that designs it and it’s not going very well.” 

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