The New England Patriots fell to 2-10 on the 2023 season with a 6-0 home loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Here are 10 players we graded “UP” or “DOWN” based on their performance in Sunday’s game…
DOWN: QB Bailey Zappe
![FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 03: Bailey Zappe #4 of the New England Patriots huddles with the team in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on December 03, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)](https://985thesportshub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2023/12/GettyImages-1828844551-copy.jpg)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 03: Bailey Zappe #4 of the New England Patriots huddles with the team in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on December 03, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Zappe had a chance to really seize a big opportunity as the Patriots’ new starting quarterback. He couldn’t take the offense to another level.
In fact, one could argue the offense went backward. Zero points on the board. Only 257 total yards, down from 283 last week. The only plus for Zappe was that he didn’t fumble or throw an interception, but he did take five sacks, and was handed two turnovers on downs in the fourth quarter.
Zappe may well remain in the starting role for the Patriots, if only because of his better ball security and pocket poise. But he simply can’t make enough plays in order to be a marked improvement over Jones, especially when he’s working with the same bad offense around him.