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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Patriots coach Invoice Belichick wasn’t prepared to call a beginning quarterback within the aftermath of a 33-14 blowout loss to the Chicago Bears on Monday night time.
Belichick pulled starter Mac Jones after three sequence, inserting rookie Bailey Zappe in his place for the remainder of the sport and sparking the query of who will probably be beginning when the staff visits the New York Jets on Sunday.
Belichick wasn’t able to commit late Monday, saying: “We simply completed the sport.”
Jones’ remaining play was an interception, however Belichick insisted he wasn’t benched and would have returned to the sport within the second half if the rating had been nearer.
He mentioned the staff supposed to play each Jones and Zappe — and knowledgeable each gamers of the plan main into the sport — with Jones’ restoration from a excessive left ankle sprain “an element” within the determination. Jones was taking part in for the primary time since Sept. 25.
The Patriots fell behind 10-0 within the first quarter, and Zappe’s insertion within the recreation created a right away spark with back-to-back landing drives. However Zappe (14-of-22 for 185 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT) could not carry the momentum into the second half.
As for what which means for Sunday’s recreation towards the Jets (5-2), Jones is ready for any situation. It is a vital recreation for the Patriots, who at 3-4 discover themselves in final place within the AFC East.
“I suppose when Sunday comes, we’ll know,” Jones mentioned after going 3-of-6 for 13 yards. “I have been on this scenario earlier than, and I am simply going to attempt to assist the staff. No matter my position is, I will be prepared and I will give it 100%.”
Jones would not put a share on his well being.
“I do not actually do the entire share factor. You’re both capable of play or not. Within the NFL you do not get any credit score for enjoying damage or not, and there is not any excuses,” he mentioned. “So I felt like I used to be good to go. With time it should get higher. I’ve simply received to play higher.”
Some Patriots gamers appeared stunned by the quarterback change, and likewise listening to the house crowd chanting “Zappe! Zappe! Zappe!” as Jones struggled. Zappe had generated notable fan help after serving to the staff to victories the prior two weeks.
“That is the NFL for you. It is a fast-changing enterprise,” main receiver Jakobi Meyers mentioned. “It is powerful, as a person, to see somebody who works so onerous get that form of therapy.”
Jones mentioned he knew that Zappe would play sooner or later Monday.
“I feel Coach Belichick had a extremely good plan for us. I understood the plan and what was going to occur … and the timing is the timing. We have been on the identical web page and there is not any onerous emotions or something,” he mentioned.
“I want I performed a bit bit higher. Clearly the sport wasn’t good by any of us and it begins with me.”
Zappe was requested when he discovered that Jones would begin on Monday.
“About the identical time as you all did,” he answered, which appeared to be a reference to shut to kickoff. “I put together like I’ve each different week, like I used to be one play away. It is the identical factor I am going to do that week.”
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