The struggles for Mac Jones and the New England Patriots‘ offense have been an ongoing issue this season. This is the fourth time Jones has been benched this season — what went wrong?
Bill Belichick Benches Mac Jones, Again
The first two games Jones was benched in were complete blowouts. Two weeks ago, he was benched in a one-score game against the Colts after throwing a red-zone interception and Bailey Zappe took over once again.
After the Germany game, which the Patriots dropped 10-6, head coach Bill Belichick said he put in Zappe because he thought it was “time for a change.” Zappe has yet to be the answer for a lackluster offense this season as the team just cannot seem to find their spark offensively.
Coming out of a bye week, the team continued to struggle in a matchup against the 3-8 Giants as Jones once again got the nod for the starting position.
Jones went just 4-for-9 for 37 yards in the first quarter and ended it by throwing an ugly interception. The quarterback threw to a well-covered Demario Douglas running a deep out, but the pass went over the head of Douglas and into the hands of Deonte Banks.
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Saquon Barkley then immediately got things going for the Giants by breaking off a 19-yard run, putting the Giants in position to score. Luckily for the Patriots, the Giants failed to capitalize, eventually punting the ball back to New England.
Trading punts along with Jones interceptions, the teams were scoreless with 2:00 left in the first half.
Finally stringing together a good run and in field goal range, Jones threw a devastating interception to kill any momentum the team had going.
With the Patriots inside the Giants’ 30-yard line, Jones threw the ball right into the hands of linebacker Bobby Okereke, who returned it all the way down to the New England 26-yard line.
#Patriots QB Mac Jones throws another INT 🥴
This time, it’s #NYGiants LB Bobby Okereke❗️
pic.twitter.com/Tetmuhismn— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) November 26, 2023
The Giants were able to capitalize as Isaiah Hodgins brought in a 12-yard pass and found the end zone, finally.
Jones finished out the remainder of the first half. He fumbled at the end of the second quarter, and while the Patriots recovered, it seemed to be the nail in the coffin — there was no way he was coming back after that.
In the first half, Jones completed 12 of his 21 pass attempts for just 89 yards and two interceptions.
So far this season in place of Jones, Zappe has completed just 40 percent of his passes for 104 yards and an interception.
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