Tonight marks the first game of the 2022 season the Patriots will be on primetime television when the Bears come to Gillette Stadium for their Monday night matchup. The Patriots sit at 3-3, winners of their last two games and on quite a hot streak under 3rd string QB Bailey Zappe. The Bears meanwhile, have lost 4 of their last 5 games averaging less than 15 points per game in that span.
The Patriots have quite a decision to make around the Quarterback position. Rookie Quarterback Bailey Zappe has started the last two games for them and played 3 1/2 quarters of a fourth and is an overtime loss to Aaron Rodgers away from going 3-0 in that process. In that span he is averaging 212 yards on 63% completion percentage with a touchdown ratio of 3 to 1. Zappe is starting because of an injury to starter Mac Jones who had a high ankle sprain in the third game of the season. Jones had a rough start to the season especially in the game he was injured against the Ravens where he threw 3 interceptions.
Jones' injury seemed to be a severe one when first done but was quickly given a dose of light as Jones rehab went surprisingly well. He has been listed as questionable for two weeks now and seems to be ready to play, that is if Belichick and the Patriots want him to.
This game has come at the perfect time for Zappe and the Patriots, it's a primetime game for the Patriots against a team deeply struggling and in a matchup nightmare especially against this Patriots defense. It stands to reason that the Patriots can play the Mac Jones injury safely and sit him out another week while simultaneously giving the limelight to Zappe to further study the rookie and see if he can rise to the challenge on Monday Night.
As of the time of this article Monday morning, the Patriots have yet to name a starter. The game tonight is the chance for the Patriots to rise above .500 for the first time this season and while they are 8.5 point favorites is a game not to be taken lightly. The Patriots are obviously in a tough spot making a decision, but the decision process should always be the same; Except for the risk of injury, start your best player. In this instance the Patriots have always seemed to do so but who knows if the Patriots have determined who the best starter is.
The obvious choice is Mac Jones who is more experienced, a former Heisman winner and 1st round draft pick who led the Patriots to the playoffs his rookie year but Mac Jones is 1-2 as a starter with 2 touchdowns and 5 picks this year and Bailey Zappe is 2-0 as a starter with 3 touchdowns and 1 pick. Most of New England believes that when the dust has settled Mac Jones will arise the man but for now, let Jones recuperate and see how Zappe handles it. Frankly it's mine too.
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Make sure to stay tuned as we continue coverage of the New England Patriots and the 2022-23 NFL season.
-Z.D.
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