As the Patriots took to the practice field today it was Mac Jones who took around 90% of the offensive team snaps. Bill Belichick kept answering the same bland way in his press conference today before practice with regards to the quarterback questions. “I’ll see how it goes, we’re just getting ready for the Jets” was the answer to seemingly every question.
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Well, Patriots fans finally have a definite answer to the question. After starting last week then getting pulled it seemed to be due to his poor performance but as time went on and the story unraveled it was “allegedly” planned for Mac to play a little then Zappe would come in.
Mac Jones Looks To Turn His Season Around
Jones, who has struggled with turnovers this season, looks to turn that narrative around this week as the Jets will take advantage of the turnovers. The Jets have eight picks through week seven and have turned six of those turnovers into points on the following possession. So Jones’ will have to change that narrative if the Patriots even want to have a chance against the 5-2 Jets.
Out of the 35 qualifying quarterbacks who have started so far this season, Jones ranks 34th in touchdown to interception ratio 2-6, 33rd in touchdowns per pass ratio at 1.9, last in interception percentage at 5.8%, and 34th in passer rating with 70.8.
Jones’ turnover struggles date back to last season. Since the week 13 win last season, Jones touchdown to interception ratio is 10-13 and his completion percentage is 62%. As all Patriots fans remember that was the infamous 14-10 win where Jones was 2-3 for 19 yards.
Jones has performed well and protected the ball against the Jets in his short career so far. Passing for three hundred yards and two touchdowns the last time he played the Jets, Jones looks to use this game as a catapult to show not only the coaching staff but the fans who were booing him and chanting “Zappe” wrong.
This decision comes after Monday night’s loss to the Bears where Bailey Zappe showed he fell back down to earth a little bit. Zappe, who has had his own struggles with turnover throughout his rookie campaign, proved that the clear choice for the coaching staff to announce Mac as the starter.
Stay tuned to Gridiron Heroics later on this week for a comprehensive breakdown of the Patriots versus Jets matchup.