There was no miracle offensive resurgence with Bailey Zappe starting at quarterback for the New England Patriots in Sunday’s shutout loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
But that doesn’t mean it was all bad.
There were big plays and opportunities left on the field by the offense in the second half that ultimately led to drive killers.
It’s hard not to feel bad for the Patriots defense considering the incredible effort the unit puts in every week. But none if it matters if the offense can’t score points. Even a perfect performance by the defense wouldn’t have been enough for the Patriots to beat the Chargers.
Let’s take a look at the studs and duds from the game.
OL Mike Onwenu: DUD
There’s a good chance that Mike Onwenu will be seeing Khalil Mack in his nightmares after Sunday’s game. The Patriots’ offensive tackle was blown up repeatedly by the former Defensive Player of the Year.
It was simply one of those one-on-one battles where Onwenu looked completely outmatched. Those struggles came at the expense of Bailey Zappe, who was running for his life for most of the game.
Onwenu has actually been pretty good at tackle, but that’s obviously not going to cut it against the 32-year-old defensive star, who is still one of the absolute best in the game.
WR Tyquan Thornton: DUD
Tyquan Thornton had one big play on a 39-yard reverse run that nearly set the Patriots up to finally get on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter. But that still doesn’t negate this unbelievable dropped pass on a dime deep throw by Bailey Zappe.
Tyquan Thornton can't reel in an absolutely perfect pass by Bailey Zappe pic.twitter.com/ZqpWkTK3fv
— Ben Brown 🌻 (@BenBrownPL) December 3, 2023
Throw in the fact that Thornton didn’t register a single reception in this game, and it shouldn’t come as any surprise that he ended up on the dud list this week.
The Patriots needed their veteran playmakers to step up with Zappe starting and rookie wideouts, Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte, both being out for the game. As a receiver, Thornton was nowhere to be found in this matchup.
WR DeVante Parker: STUD
There might be something to the Bailey Zappe and DeVante Parker connection. After weeks of living on the side of a milk carton, the Patriots’ veteran wide receiver turned back into a reliable vertical threat downfield.
He hauled in four receptions for 64 yards in the loss to the Chargers. There was an opportunity to add to his yard total, but Zappe overshot one of many deep pass attempts in the game.
The version of Parker that showed up on Sunday is the version the Patriots hoped they would get more consistently when they signed him to a three-year extension in the offseason.
OL Trent Brown/Conor McDermott: DUD
Trent Brown, who was limited at practice all week with an ankle and chest injury, obviously isn’t 100 percent, and the Patriots rotated Conor McDermott in at left tackle to help manage his load.
And it still didn’t matter.
Khalil Mack terrorized whoever he faced in this matchup. If he wasn’t roasting Mike Onwenu on the right side, he was lining up on the left side and running circles around Brown and McDermott.
The pass protection was pretty non-existent all round for Bailey Zappe in this matchup, and it ultimately cost the Patriots the game. But let’s be honest: What chance does McDermott or a banged-up Brown really have at stopping Mack one-on-one?
CB Jonathan Jones: STUD
The defense showed up to play in this game, and veteran cornerback Jonathan Jones was a big part of that effort.
He was listed as a dud last week, but he bounced back in a big way with a stud performance against a really talented offensive unit. He finished the game with six tackles and one pass deflection.
Throughout the game, he was feisty in coverage and made life difficult for Justin Herbert, who had one of his worst passing performances of the season.
CB J.C. Jackson: STUD
This was a strong bounce-back game for cornerback J.C. Jackson as well. It has been an up-and-down season since he returned to New England, but there’s no question that he’s the best version of himself when playing under coach Bill Belichick.
Like Jonathan Jones, he was constantly draped over the Chargers’ receivers in a game where they kept quarterback Justin Herbert from throwing a single touchdown pass.
Jackson finished Sunday’s game with four tackles and two pass deflections.
Patriots defensive front: STUD
Chargers running back Austin Ekeler is one of the most versatile skilled position players in the NFL, and the Patriots defense completely shut him down as both a rusher and receiver.
They stopped the x-factor playmaker and still somehow lost the game.
Davon Godchaux and Christian Barmore were both stout up front with linebackers Jahlani Tavai and Ja’Whaun Bentley leading the way with eight tackles apiece.
Ekeler finished the game with 14 carries for 18 yards, along with two receptions for nine yards. There was nothing more the defense could have possibly done to put the Patriots in a better position to win the game.
They are constantly faced with the reality that the Patriots offense is historically bad.
