The Patriots Face Disappointment and Struggles After Another Loss

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (PSF)—The Patriots are shut out at home against the Chargers as the offensive struggles continue despite the change in the quarterback position.

Photo Credit: Michael Dwyer, AP Photo

Offense:

The Patriots announced earlier this week that backup QB Bailey Zappe would start over Mac Jones with the hope that a change in the position would result in a positive game for the Pats. Unfortunately, this was not the case as the Patriots did not score in this game.

Zappe completed a little over 50% of his passes and only threw for 141 yards. He was also sacked five times for a loss of 32 yards. Two of these sacks were by Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack, which gave him a career-high 15 sacks for the season and 99 in his career.

Running back Rhamondre Stevenson, the only hope on the Patriots’ offense, fumbled the ball late in the first quarter and injured his ankle on that play. Stevenson was taken straight to the locker room for X-rays and did not return to the game. The X-rays came back negative, indicating that he suffered an ankle sprain, but he will get further testing just to make sure. Either way, he will be missing several games.

With Stevenson hurt so early, running back Ezekiel Elliot took most of the carries this game. He generated 52 yards, with his longest carry accounting for eight of those yards.

The Patriots’ offense showed random spurts of momentum, like the 39-yard rush by Tyquan Thorton, but were not able to string it all together enough to score.

Defense:

The Patriots’ defense continues to keep them in the game, giving up 10 or fewer points for the third time in a row.

Patriots players acknowledge that the defense is carrying the team, and tight end Hunter Henry even said that the “defense is hanging us in there.”

The defense held the Chargers’ run game to only 29 yards and only allowed two 38-yard field goals in the second quarter. QB Justin Herbert was not sacked this game, but the defense did hit him once and had four tackles for loss.

Takeaways and Looking Forward:

The weather at Gillette Stadium was a factor in this game. It was cold and raining, making both offenses rely more on their defenses and special teams. The Chargers’ special teams stepped up to this challenge and punter JK Scott had the Patriots starting inside their 20 yard-line seven times.

It seems like each week the Patriots are breaking records, just not the good kind. This game was the first time since 1993 that the Patriots failed to score in the first half in back-to-back games.

The lack of positive change has many fans thinking that the Patriots are tanking for a good draft pick to get a QB. At this current moment, the Patriots have the second overall pick. For the sake of the players, hopefully, the Patriots can win one of the final five games of the season.

The Patriots will have a short week before traveling to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers on Dec. 7 for Thursday Night Football.