It sure appears from Wednesday's Patriots practice that Bill Belichick is finally sitting Mac Jones.
In the portion open to the media, Bailey Zappe got the bulk of snaps and Malik Cunningham was next up. Jones standing off to the side, not doing much. If this holds for the rest of the week, Jones could end up the emergency third quarterback.
It's about time. We've been over this: Jones looked cooked against the Colts. The bye week didn't help him. In fact, it got worse. His two-interception performance, thanks to a fumble (recovered), was our lowest-rated game of the season. Yes, worse than Dallas and New Orleans.
It's over, at least for now. He needs to sit. He needs a mental health break.
He's not the only Patriot who should be going to be bench: JC Jackson should join him.
Jackson is a unique situation, especially since he just returned to the franchise a couple months ago. And it's not like Jackson is failing to give a proper effort, although his professionalism already got him left behind from the Germany trip. Physically, Jackson looks fine as well.
It's just that, like Jones, his mental mistakes (and undisciplined play) are killing this unit and totally out of step with the rest of the defense.
Put it this way. I had the Patriots for a total of 15 minus plays against the Giants. Jackson had seven by himself. No one else had more than two.
I can take a player just getting beaten, especially against better players — like Myles Bryant. He's who they have. Not his fault.
That's not the issue with Jackson. He's just completely undisciplined, and he's starting to leave his teammates out to dry.
The perfect example came on an innocuous 6-yard gain with 11:54 left in the game, and it contributed to the game-winning field goal. It was 2nd and 7 on the NE 29. The Patriots were playing Cover 3 — 3 deep, four under. Jackson was responsible for the deep third to the top. Jabrill Peppers was in perfect position in the flat. Patriots were in great position, especially with Anfernee Jennings bearing down on Tommy Devito — possibly for another sack that would take the out of field goal range.
But for some reason — no good reason, actually — Jackson decides to vacate his zone responsibility and jumps the slot receiver Isaiah Hodgins. The Giants must have been expecting this from Jackson because he runs a stutter and go. At this point, Jackson is toast and the Giants are looking at touchdown.
Lucky for Jackson, Peppers is a very smart players. He sees what is happening and bails out Jackson by switching to Hodgins
The problem is now no one has the flat. By the time Jackson switches himself, Barkley is catching the ball in the flat.
This little play sets up an easy third-down conversion. Even a bad holding call doesn't knock them out of FG range. These points would decide the game.
I'm not saying the game is on Jackson — obviously the offense needed to do more — but he was burned repeatedly in this game for 29 yards, 22 yards, 41 yards and had a missed tackle on third down.
The defense was good in this game but got a lot of help from a bad Giants team that factored into their low point total with a red zone unforced fumble, three drops, two horrible holding calls and an illegal hands to the face.
But all of them did more than enough to win this game, except Jackson. And it continues his run of poor play since his return.
If Jones is rightfully being sat after killing the offense, shouldn't Jackson? Shaun Wade is not good, but at least he does his job.
Here are the positional ratings against the Giants:
OFFENSE
Quarterback (0 out of 5)
The two quarterbacks only combined for 3 plus plays: Mac Jones' 3rd and 5 throw in a tight window to DeVante Parker, and Bailey Zappe's 5-yard throw against pressure to Juju Smith-Schuster and his scramble out of a sack/throw to Rhamondre Stevenson. ... Of Zappe's 15 dropbacks, seven were screens and four used playaction, so he only had four straight dropbacks (26.7%). ... Jones had 22 dropbacks. Six were screens and six had playaction, so 10 straight dropbacks (45%). That shows you the level of confidence Bill O'Brien has in Zappe - not much. ... Jones had two minus decisions — they weren't horrible because checkdowns to Stevenson resulted in gains, but Parker and Smith-Schuster were better options on those plays. ... The Patriots have reduced themselves to a high school-level offense with very simple downfield passes, a ton of quick game, and running the ball. Malik Cunningham can run this offense and has the added element of running. ... As I've remarked before, the best part of Zappe's game is his timing in the pass, screen and playaction game. His fakes and movements are much better than Jones and enhance those elements for the team. Jones isn't patient enough with those so his fakes are terrible and ineffective. ... Zappe also doesn't have the pocket PTSD Jones obviously plays with. It's clear Zappe is the best option at quarterback at this point, not that it's a good option. Cunningham should be in the mix more.
Running backs (4 out of 5)
Patriots should have run more in this game but I'm sure Bill O'Brien, like most OCs, views the quick game as the wide aspect of the running game. I used to disagree with Mike McCarthy on this in the past, and I'm still there. ... Stevenson and Elliott both had live legs after the bye and their vision is terrific. Stevenson continues to finish runs impressively. ... Stevenson bailed out Cole Strange on the first interception, but Stevenson still allowed three hurries against Wink Martindale's blitz-heavy scheme. His pass pro needs to be better.
Receivers (1.5 out of 5)
Patriots receivers had seven poor routes (Tyquan Thornton 3, Mike Gesicki 2, Parker, Demario Douglas) and six of them were in the first half when the Patriots had more of a downfield pass game. I just think that at this point, there is zero confidence in the downfield pass game in every single aspect: QB, routes and pass blocking. Hence, the HS approach. ... Outside of Smith-Schuster's fourth-down catch, the lack of physicality from this group stands out. Any physical contact and they're shut down. ... Douglas is just electric with the ball in his hand, but on anything but quick games, his route running is a complete toss-up. ... On film, the football IQ of this group outside Hunter Henry has to be in question. And Henry was completely invisible.
Offensive line (2.5 out of 5)
The pressure rate doesn't look that bad, but when you factor in that the Patriots ran at least 13 quick games, the true pressure rate was 50 percent. ... Trent Brown looked terrific, outside a missed cut block, once he entered the game. Credit to him playing through a lot of physical issues. ... Mike Onwenu and Sidy Sow combined for 10 plus run blocks. Sow's showed much better at guard. Even though it's still not perfect, you could make a convincing argument that he's already better than Cole Strange.
DEFENSE
Defensive line (5 out of 5)
Tremendous game out this group. Only Keion White's personal foul on special teams was the one minus mark. The two big runs by Barkley were due to the second and third level, not the big guys up front. They were outstanding doing their job. ... Anfernee Jennings had his best game as a Patriot. Live it felt like he picked up a lot of trash. Not true. He was making plays all game. ... Christian Barmore being impactful is just becoming the norm now. Stacking success. ... Strong two-gap game by Davon Godchaux against a good rookie center.
Linebackers (4 out of 5)
Not an overly impactful game from this group, just rock-solid.
Secondary (3 out of 5)
Take Jackson out of this group and you're looking at 4 out of 5. ... Obviously Jonathan Jones missed the tackle on the lone touchdown, but why the all-out blitz on third and 10? Why put him in that position? Giants have some pretty big and physical receivers. ... New York left some plays on the field down the middle. ... Would say half the Patriots' sacks came as a result of really good coverage.
FIVE UP
Anfernee Jennings: He's keeping Keion White on the bench. Didn't think that was possible. Making himself some money.
Christian Barmore: The beat goes on. Dominating.
Mike Onwenu: Simply the best game by an offensive lineman this season. Six plus blocks. Outstanding.
Josh Uche: The Patriots not grabbing more leads and forcing teams to pass is killing his playing time. His effectiveness has not waned. Just hasn't had same opportunities.
Bryce Baringer: Finally a great game out of the rookie. Six punts, 45 average and 44 net. Zero touchbacks. Two inside the 20.
FIVE DOWN
Mac Jones: A new worst game. It's over.
JC Jackson: Patriots might have posted a shutout if not for his shoddy play.
Chad Ryland: Your team doesn't have confidence in you from 54 and you missed a chip shot.
Ty Montgomery: Two plays, one drop.
Cole Strange: Thank goodness Dexter Lawrence wasn't out there.