The quarterback play left a lot to be desired as the New England Patriots slumped to a surprise defeat to Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears in Foxborough on Monday Night Football, but rookie Bailey Zappe continued to endear himself to Pats fans.
Second-year QB Fields enjoyed one of his best performances of his career so far, throwing for 179 yards and a touchdown and rushing for 82 yards and another score in a 33-14 victory, leaving both teams at 3-4.
For New England, a surprise quarterback competition has emerged this season. Last year's first-round pick Mac Jones enjoyed an encouraging debut season, but he has faltered this year. The 24-year-old has tossed just two touchdowns to six interceptions, with an ankle injury limiting him to just four games so far this season.
He was back in the lineup on Monday night and the Patriots were strong favourites to build on the back-to-back wins against the Detriot Lions and the Cleveland Browns when Jones' backup Zappe started under centre and impressed in his absence.
It was a strange evening for Jones, who started the game but was withdrawn after just six pass attempts and an interception, with Zappe coming in early in the second quarter.
The rookie fourth-rounder instantly brought a spark for the Pats, leading two touchdown drives to take the lead before their evening once again went off the rails and the Bears romped to victory with 23 unanswered points, leaving head coach Bill Belichick with several conundrums to solve ahead of the Week Eight clash with the 5-2 New York Jets.
And his touchline antics appear to be helping his cause, in the eyes of the viewing public at least. With Zappe on the sideline, the TV camera focused on the 23-year-old former Western Kentucky QB. The crowd-pleasing 2003 hit Stacy's Mom, by Fountains Of Wayne was being played in the stadium and Zappe could be seen singing along.
NFL Twitter has already been swept by love for Zappe, and his star only rose on Monday, despite a miserable night for his team. Zappe fever is real, not that Belichick will care one iota, but he does find himself in the midst of a quarterback conundrum.
Belichick claimed in his press conference on Monday it was always the plan for both Jones and Zappe to take snaps, but as the game became a blowout, Jones was kept on the bench with his recent injury in mind.
Zappe is developing a cult following in New England after his promising impact – although he threw two late picks as the Pats chased the game on Monday – with fans in the stadium chanting his name and calling for him to replace Jones after a sluggish start for the offence.
No doubt, Belichick will be facing plenty of questions in the days and weeks ahead until the long-term holder of the starting gig is known, but for many it is time to give Zappe a run at the job.
