The Patriots have reportedly made their quarterback decision for Sunday
With the New England Patriots having a bye week last week, the status of the starting quarterback has been a mystery for two weeks. Following the team’s 10-6 loss to the Colts two weeks ago in Germany, Bill Belichick‘s postgame comments seemed to open the door for a potential QB change.
In the days leading up to Sunday’s matchup with the New York Giants – the Patriots’ first game out of the bye – Belichick wouldn’t delve much deeper into that quarterback battle. During both press conferences this week he answered just about every QB-related question by telling reporters in one way or another he “told all the players to be ready to go.” That left Sunday’s starting quarterback a mystery as late as Saturday afternoon – not just for those on the outside looking in, but players and coaches as well.
It wasn’t until Saturday night – about 14 hours before kickoff – that any sort of answer to that question came forward.
READ MORE:
—Patriots Mailbag: Thanksgiving edition
—Door remains open for Patriots to get key players back on offense
—Socci’s View: Pharms a feel-good story amid dreadful season
According to Andrew Callahan of The Boston Herald, the Patriots are “planning to” start Mac Jones on Sunday against the Giants. Callahan tweeted late Saturday night that “Jones split starting reps with Bailey Zappe in practice this week and out-performed him.”
It looks like Jones, the Patriots’ first-round pick in 2021, has held onto his job for now. The 25-year-old has struggled this season, completing 65.4 percent of his passes for 2,031 yards with 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 10 games. With Jones under center, the Patriots’ offense ranks 31st in the NFL averaging 14.1 points per game (the Giants – Sunday’s opponent – rank last averaging 13.5 points per game).
The question now becomes what happens after Jones starts the game. Whoever starts tomorrow, don’t rule out the possibility of a rotation or quick hook. As Bill Belichick said several times this week, he told both QBs to be ready to play. https://t.co/N1hpMyIBAG
For more on Sunday’s matchup, check out our game preview below…
Back from the bye, and back in New York: Patriots vs. Giants What To Watch For
Who has the quarterback advantage?
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 22: New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien speaks with Mac Jones #10 and Bailey Zappe #4 during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on October 22, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Who the Patriots will start at quarterback on Sunday remains a mystery. Whoever it is though, they should have the advantage at the position.
Yes, Giants rookie UDFA Tommy DeVito played well last week against the Washington Commanders, completing 69.2 percent of his 26 pass attempts for 246 yards with three touchdowns and no picks. However his other appearances this year haven’t come close to that level. The goal for the Patriots, an attainable one at that, should be to make last week’s performance the kind of ‘flash in the pan’ game we’ve seen from rookies this year, like Will Levis had against the Falcons or Tyson Bagent had against the Raiders.
DeVito has both taken a lot of sacks (20 in the last three games) and has been loose with the football (three interceptions in three games) so far this season. There will be chances for the Patriots’ defense to create, and they need to take advantage of those chances. If the Patriots are going to win this game, the defense setting up premium field position – if not scoring outright – is a must.
At the same time whoever is under center for the Patriots – whether it’s Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe, Will Grier, or some kind of rotation of the three – needs to prioritize not taking negative plays and be careful with the football. Like the Patriots, the Giants will need their defense to make plays to win this game, and it will be up to the Patriots’ offense to not open that door.
Interior offensive line in the spotlight again
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 17: Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II #97 of the New York Giants reacts during the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. The Giants defeated the Cardinals 31-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Last time we saw the Patriots’ offense, they were facing a tough test in the Colts’ defensive line, led by defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. Bucker won that battle, recording six pressures with a sack and four run stuffs.
This week the Patriots’ interior offensive line will (likely, more on this in a second) be tested again. The Giants’ defensive front features four top-50 picks, highlighted by defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. Lawrence’s 53 pressures lead all defensive tackles and rank top five in the NFL. He’s also fourth among all defensive tackles in run stops.
Lawrence has the ability to wreck this game for the Patriots. For New England to move the ball, the interior group of David Andrews, Sidy Sow, and Cole Strange will need to hold their own against him.
That all being said, it’s assuming Lawrence plays this week. Lawrence has been getting Wednesdays off from practice for most of the season, but those absences were listed on the injury report as ‘not injury related/rest.’ The 26-year-old didn’t practice again this Wednesday, but this time was listed with a hamstring injury. His status will be something to monitor.
Slowing down Saquon
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 19: Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants scores a touchdown after a catch while defended by Kamren Curl #31 of the Washington Commanders during the fourth quarter at FedExField on November 19, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
After the Giants retaining running back Saquon Barkley through the franchise tag this summer and then gave him a raise, it’s no surprise their offense runs through him. Despite missing three games, Barkley leads the team with 180 touches which is more than double the next closest player (Matt Breida, the backup running back, has 61). Meanwhile, wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson is the Giants’ leader in touches among non-backfield players, with 38.
This plays right into one of Bill Belichick’s core philosophies of defense – taking away what the other team does best and forcing them to play ‘left-handed.’ If Barkley is rendered a non-factor, the Giants’ overall offense will follow.
How to the Patriots do that? Actually, a lot of their previous game plan should be able to carry over. They limited Jonathan Taylor, another one of the league’s elite running backs, to three yards per carry and just one catch for six yards. That effort started up front, with another excellent game from Christian Barmore.
At the second level, the Patriots will need to both corral Barkley when he breaks through the line, and match up with him in coverage. Jabrill Peppers and Ja’Whaun Bentley are probably best suited for that role, especially Peppers. He has the athleticism to keep up with Barkley and is familiar with his game – he’s been playing him since college and spent three years as his teammate in New York from 2019 to 2021.
