New England Patriots-New York Giants Notebook: QB Change, Same Result

The New England Patriots continue to fall to new depths after their 10-7 loss to the New York Giants in their Week 12 matchup at MetLife Stadium.

The season of woes for the New England Patriots continued on a dreary Sunday afternoon in the Meadowlands, where the Pats were defeated 10-7 by the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. 

With the chance to earn the victory in the game’s final minutes, Pats coach Bill Belichick expressed an understandable lack of faith in his quarterbacks. Despite securing a first down at the Giants 22-yard-line with about a minute to play in regulation, New England’s offense did not take a shot at the end zone and chose to play for the tie.  Unfortunately, the strategy would backfire when rookie kicker Chad Ryland was wide left on a 35-yard field goal attempt with three seconds left. 

Accordingly, New England falls to 2-9, their worst start since rookie Drew Bledsoe began 1-10 in 1993. It also assures the Pats of their second straight losing season, and their third in four years since the departure of legendary quarterback Tom Brady. 

Quarterbacks Were Not “Ready to Go” 

Despite the confusing, yet cryptic nature of the way the Patriots guarded the secret identity of their Week 12 starter, cocah Bill Belichick ultimately chose in favor of Jones, who has started every game for New England this season. While multiple reports had indicated that Jones was the better practice performer throughout the week while competing with second-year passer Bailey Zappe, his showing against the Giants was more of the abysmal same. The Alabama product finished the day going 12 of 21 for 89 yards and two interceptions. His first pick — a pass which should have been a throwaway — was a back-footed throw into triple coverage which was easily cut and caught by cornerback Deonte Banks. His second, and final throw of the afternoon, came while facing pressure. Rather than take the sack, Jones lofted a weak floater into the waiting hands of linebacker Bobby Okereke. Not only did the pick finish his afternoon, it may have ultimately sealed his fate as the Patriots starting quarterback. 

In relief of Jones, Zappe began the second half by providing a much-needed spark, leading the Patriots on an 11-play, 60-yard drive that gave the Pats their first touchdown of the afternoon. I contrast to Jones (who appeared to anticipate eventual failure on each of his drives) Zappe seemed to execute the Pats game plan with greater efficiency. Unfortunately, his success would be short-lived, as he telegraphed a pass on an over-route by JuJu Smith-Schuster, which was easily snagged by safety Xavier McKinney. Zappe finished 9 of 14 for 54 yards and an interception. While he may have been given the chance to lead the team in the second half of the team’s Week 12 loss, it is logical to question whether the Western Kentucky product did enough to earn the start in Week 13 against the Los Angeles Chargers. 

New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe (4) prepares to handoff to New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38)  :: © Kevin R. Wexler / USA TODAY NETWORK

Demario Douglas Hurt, but OK? 

While there has been very little about which to smile for the Patriots this season, the play and potential of rookie receiver Demario Douglas has been a bright spot. The Liberty product led all Pats’ pass catchers with six catches for 49 yards on a day in which he received little help from his quarterbacks. However, Douglas’ day took a potentially disastrous turn in the second-half. While attempting to return a punt early in the fourth quarter, he was essentially clotheslined by Giants linebacker Cam Brown. The 22-year-old landed hard on the turf, causing him to be immediately removed from the game for head injury evaluation. 

Both Douglas and the Pats appear to have caught a break, as Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald learned in a postgame conversation with the rookie that he “does not have a concussion and is doing OK.” Still, the fact that Brown was not penalized for his hit on Douglas was disturbing enough to warrant a strong reaction from teammate Jabrill Peppers.

“To me, that is a joke,” Peppers told reporters. “You can’t say ‘player safety’ and then not flag a play like that.” 

Stupor Bowl: More Mistakes Lead to Another Heartbreaking Loss For Patriots to Giants

Running Backs Take Advantage of Dexter Lawrence Absence

After missing an entire week of practice due to a hamstring injury, Giants nose tackle Dexter Lawrence was inactive on Sunday, leaving a major void in the team’s defense. Lawrence is New York’s most fearsome presence in their front seven, earning a 92.8 overall grade from Pro Footall Focus. His ability to identify both the snap and the block routinely makes him a formidable force in run defense.

As expected, New England’s running game was able to exploit the mismatch. Lead back Rhamondre Stevenson had a season-high 98 yards rushing and with nine receiving yards. Stevenson finished with 107 scrimmage yards, becoming only the second Patriots player in the last 10 seasons to have three straight games of at least 100 yards from scrimmage — the other being Sony Michel in 2018.

Veteran running back Ezekiel Elliott continues to regularly demonstrate the prowess that made him an All Pro at the position. He finished the day with 46 yards on nine carries, while catching both targets for six yards. Despite their overall futility on offense, the Pats pair of backs have kept them within striking distance on at least a handful of their single-score losses. 

Defense Silver Linings: Six Sacks on Tommy D

Though New England’s offense has been woeful for the majority for the season, their defense continues to play at a more-than respectable level. The Pats sacked Giants rookie quarterback Tommy DeVito six times on Sunday, one of which came from safety Jabrill Peppers. The first-quarter takedown, which resulted in a loss of seven yards, was Peppers first sack as a member of the Patriots. Linebacker Anfernee Jennings recorded his first solo sack of the season in the third quarter, while later combining with defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. on a fourth-down sack. Rookie defender Keion White recorded his first NFL sack, dropping DeVito back nine yards in the third quarter. Defensive tackle Christian Barmore and linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley each contributed one sack each. 

Up Next: 

The Patriots will return home to Foxboro, where they will host the Los Angeles Chargers at 1 p.m. at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 3. New England is scheduled to wear their red throwback jerseys, with white “Pat Patriot”helmets for the contest. 

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