The Patriots offense was unable to produce a touchdown in Germany as New England fell to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday 10-6, dropping their season record to 2-8 as they enter a much-needed bye week. The Pats had a promising first drive to the game, but from there they were unable to make much happen through the air the rest of the way, leaning into the ground game where they got some yards but still couldn't get into the end zone.
Defensively, the Pats got a takeaway from Myles Bryant and were generally stout outside of a touchdown drive on the Colts first possession. But Indy put up five sacks, got a missed short field goal from Chad Ryland and grabbed two fourth-quarter interceptions as the Colts did enough to knock off the Pats overseas.
This was different, as the Patriots took over at their 14-yard line with a chance to drive for a game-winning score. Zappe was ultimately intercepted, extinguishing the team's comeback hopes.
Asked about the quarterback position going forward, Belichick said, "We'll worry about next week next week. The game just got over."
The Patriots are 2-8 and have a bye next weekend.
Clearly, Zappe is not the answer for the Patriots -- both in the short term and the long term. But just as clearly, Jones' regression continues. Even after Matt Patricia and Joe Judge left the offense, the third-year quarterback is getting worse. This was supposed to be the year that Jones proved he belonged as an NFL quarterback, that last year was a result of bad coaching, that he deserves the fifth-year option and a spot as a starter in this league. Instead, he's done nothing to prove any of that to be true.
The Patriots' defense did its job against the Indianapolis Colts in Germany on Sunday, but the offense once again came up flat. Mac Jones threw another back-breaking interception late, and New England dropped to a dismal 2-8 on the season with a 10-6 loss to the Colts at Deutsche Bank Park.
When Jones got benched in Dallas, he got the start the next week against the Saints. When he got benched in that game vs. New Orleans, he once again got the start the following week in Las Vegas.
This latest performance does feel and seem different, though, as Jones really had some opportunities to make game-winning plays for the Patriots and failed each time. He's now been benched three times in 10 games. With the Patriots at 2-8 and entering the bye week, it may be a three-strikes-and-you're-out situation for Mac Jones.
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