Week 13 preview: Patriots hoping for something different

The season that never ends continues on Sunday for the New England Patriots when the Los Angeles Chargers come to Gillette Stadium. In some ways, it could represent the beginning of a second season for the Patriots.

All indications are that Bailey Zappe will be the new starting quarterback for the Patriots replacing first-round draft pick Mac Jones. Many, including myself, thought Jones deserved to be permanently benched following his pathetic interception at the end of the game against the Indianapolis Colts in Germany.

But Jones was given another chance to start after the bye week and nothing changed. He threw two interceptions in the first half – the only half he would play before Belichick finally said enough is enough. For a legendary head coach whose trademark earlier in his career was his acute awareness to cut a veteran player a year before his decline rather than a year after, Belichick was a game late on benching Jones. Some would argue he has been several weeks late on demoting Jones as a starter after Jones being benched in four of eleven games this season.

I would also argue that owner Robert Kraft has been at least a year late getting rid of Belichick. Has Kraft not learned anything from Belichick? It is understandable that Belichick has easily earned a lengthy leash, but this bungee cord has smashed into the ground. The Patriots are guaranteed of their third losing season in four seasons since Tom Brady has been gone.

The latest indignity for the Patriots’ franchise happened this week when the NFL, for the first time, flexed out New England’s Monday night game against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. The game was originally scheduled as an exclusive prime time game on December 18, but will now be lost in the shuffle of all the other games on December 17th at 1:00 pm eastern time.

It is a testament to how bad the Patriots are now. With all the glitz and storylines associated with the Chiefs – Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift – the NFL chose to go another route. It is a slap in the face to Robert Kraft. And it is not the first time the Patriots have been flexed out of a primetime game. This is people, the league, and networks saying to Robert Kraft that nobody cares to watch the Patriots anymore. The last thing an owner wants is to be irrelevant.

Prediction: Chargers 34, Patriots 7

The Chargers are a legit NFL team. This is not the Commanders, Colts, or Giants who the Patriots have faced – and lost to – the last three games. The Chargers have a real quarterback with a big arm. Justin Herbert is a little better than Sam Howell, Gardner Minshew, and Tommy Devito. OK, he is a LOT better. 

The Patriots lack of talent has been on full display this season – hence, the 2-9 record. The disparity in talent will be on full display against the Chargers. Justin Herbert, wide receiver Keenan Allen, and running back Austin Eckler are far more talented than anyone the Patriots can put on the field. Allen is listed as questionable to play.

The Patriots have zero star power. Think about it for a second. Who is the face of the Patriots? The Patriots were further embarrassed last Thursday night when Amazon Prime's promo graphic for the following week’s game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Patriots featured images of T.J. Watts and … Bill Belichick. When do you ever see a head coach featured in a promo graphic? Never. The network couldn’t think of a New England player to feature in a promo. Can you blame them? Who would you feature? Maybe Rhamondre Stevenson, but running backs aren’t sexy anymore. He is the only one I can think of. That is pathetic and speaks volumes about the horrible construction of this team.

It is futile to talk about X’s and O’s in this game. The Patriots are in full evaluation mode. There is nothing to play for, except for the number one pick. 

The only chance I give for the Patriots to even be competitive is Chargers’ head coach, Brandon Staley. Staley better enjoy having that title before his name because it won’t be attached to his name much longer. The Chargers have been disappointing this season despite having a top-five talented quarterback. The Chargers are 4-7 this year. The difference between the Chargers and the Patriots should be much more than only two games. The Chargers are rumored to be one of the landing spots for Belichick if, and when, he and the Patriots part ways. I think the situation would be perfect for Belichick to get his wins record in the quickest amount of time, but Belichick doesn't strike me as an L.A. kind of guy.

Zappe has been acting this week like he is going to be starting. Belichick, of course, won't announce it publicly. It sounds like Mac Jones has been demoted all the way down to third string and banished to scout team duties.

Zappe will be set up nicely to have a nice debut. Will he be able to take advantage of it? Doubtful. The Chargers’ pass defense is second to last in the NFL. Zappe may not even be a step up from Jones, but at least he is someone different.

The reason Jones is down to third string is because rookie Malik Cunningham has finally been getting some reps at quarterback in practice. Again, no one should be under any illusions of Cunningham being the second coming of Lamar Jackson. But it would be something different.