WATCH: Bailey Zappe Replaces Mac Jones; New England Patriots Tie New York Giants
For the New England Patriots, Zappe Days are here again … for now.
Following yet another dismal showing from Mac Jones in the first half of the Pats’ Week 12 matchup with the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, Pats’ head coach Bill Belichick chose Bailey Zappe to begin the third quarter in the Meadowlands.
Trailing 7-0 to start the second half, the second-year quarterback led the team on a 11-play, 60-yard drive to give the Pats their first points of the afternoon. The scoring series was capped by a seven-yard touchdown run from running back Rhamondre Stevenson. To his credit, Zappe completed all six of his passes for 38 yards, including an impressive 15-yard strike to speedy receiver Tyquan Thornton.
New England Patriots QB Bailey Zappe
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
The Pats entered this matchup on the heels of a 10-6, Week 10 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Frankfurt, Germany. Conversely, the Giants are hoping to continue their winning ways after a 31-19 victory over the Washington Commanders.
After nearly two weeks of semantical gymnastics, Patriots coach Bill Belichick decided to start Mac Jones at quarterback. Throughout the week, reports indicated that Jones had taken the majority of his reps with the first-team offense, with Bailey Zappe getting looks with the second unit. However, recent reports indicated that the snaps were more evenly distributed among both Jones and Zappe than originally thought. Still, the Pats decided to start Jones.
Despite battling through an ankle injury for the majority of the past three weeks, left tackle Trent Brown is active, as are veteran receiver DeVante Parker and rookie Kayshon Boutte.
For the Giants, star nose tackle Dexter Lawrence is inactive, after being listed as doubtful on Friday’s injury report. Lawrence had missed the previous three days of practice.
