Starting Quarterback? New England Patriots vs. New York Giants Preview

New England Patriots vs. New York Giants Week 12 Preview: Who Is Starting Quarterback?

In Week 12, the New England Patriots travel to MetLife Stadium for a matchup against the New York Giants on Sunday afternoon. Rest advantage goes to the Patriots, who are fresh off their bye week. 

However, the extra time has not cleared things up at the Patriots' quarterback position. After coach Bill Belichick benched Mac Jones in the loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Germany, he has not defined who will start on Sunday vs. New York. 

Offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien said the job would likely be given to the player who “earns it on the practice field” between Jones, Bailey Zappe or Will Grier. 

The Patriots offense ranks No. 31 in the NFL, averaging only 14.1 points per game. 

Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson has been a bright spot in the recent Patriots spiral. The third-year player finished with 87 yards in the loss to Washington and then posted a solid 88-yard outing in Germany against the Colts. 

The Patriots defense looks to get after Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito, who led the Giants to an upset victory over the Washington Commanders in Week 11. DeVito is the first undrafted rookie quarterback to throw five touchdown passes in his first two starts in the common draft era. 

mac jones / cred: ESPN Images

The Patriots are last in the AFC East, and at 2-8 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.

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 (2-8) at New York Giants (3-8)

ODDS: New England is a 3.5-point favorite vs. the Giants

GAME TIME: Sunday, November 26th, 2023 at 1 p.m. ET

LOCATION: Met Life Stadium - East Rutherford, New Jersey

TV/RADIO: FOX, 98.5 FM THE SPORTS HUB

THE FINAL WORD: “I’ve told all the players the same thing: ‘Be ready to go,’” Belichick told reporters on Tuesday morning. ‘Everybody needs to be ready to play.”

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