September 18, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mack Jones (10) warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles Leclerc-USA TODAY Sports
The New England Patriots certainly haven’t shaken off the disastrous end to last week’s game in Las Vegas on Sunday, and their fans seemed to have had enough.
The Patriots struggled in the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, and the Gillette Stadium crowd wasn’t shy about voicing their displeasure. At various points in the half, fans could be heard chanting for backup Bailey Zapp to replace starting quarterback Mack Jones.
“We want Zappe” chants erupt here for another 3-and-out. Mack Jones denied a throw to the right and crossed the middle to Ramondre Stevenson, who was not looking at the post.
The Patriots are headed for a blowout.
— Khari Thompson (@kdthompson5) December 24, 2022
As New England’s offense failed to move the ball, the crowd only grew more restless.
The chant at Gillette Stadium grew louder: “Zape, zape, zape!”
Mack Jones is 3-of-5 for 18 yards and the Patriots have one first down and are down 15-0.
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) December 24, 2022
The anger was justified, as the Patriots were shutting down and had only one first down midway through the second quarter. Jones was a woeful 3/5 for 18 yards.
On the other hand, there is not much point in putting Zappe at this stage. New England’s offense is fundamentally broken under Matt Patricia, and that’s unlikely to change no matter who plays quarterback. However, that hasn’t stopped the criticism of Jones, and some of it seems to be coming from the locker room.