Patriots bench Mac Jones after dreadful efficiency in opposition to Dallas

Patriots

Jones threw a pair of interceptions and almost gave up a 3rd, prompting an look from Bailey Zappe.

The Patriots determined to bench Mac Jones and play Bailey Zappe within the third quarter of Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Dallas.

Jones went 12 for 21 with 150 yards, a pair of interceptions, and no touchdowns earlier than being pulled.

The Cowboys led the Patriots 31-3 on the time of the benching, and 14 of Dallas’s factors got here from Jones’s turnovers. One in every of his interceptions was returned for a landing by DaRon Bland simply earlier than halftime. Leighton Vander Esch additionally returned a Jones fumble for a landing.

Jones narrowly prevented a 3rd interception when Dallas’s Jayron Kearse dropped a ball that was thrown proper at his palms.

Zappe’s look marks his first recreation motion since October twenty fourth of final yr, when Jones returned from harm to begin in opposition to the Chicago Bears. The Patriots benched Jones after a lackluster begin in that recreation, too, however opted to stick with Jones for the rest of the season after the Bears blew out New England at residence with Zappe underneath heart.

The Patriots launched Zappe on cutdown day, however the second-year quarterback cleared waivers, permitting the Patriots to carry him again.

Jones now has 5 touchdowns in opposition to 4 interceptions this season.