Patriots set another mark for offensive futility

It turns out Mac Jones was not the primary problem for the New England Patriots.

Bailey Zappe received the start on Sunday and did not produce a single point as the Patriots were shutout in a 6-0 loss to the Chargers that might have been the worst offensive football game of the season.

Zappe completed just 13-of-25 passes for 141 yards in the loss. 

It also added to the Patriots' almost unbelievable run of offensive futility.

For starters, not being able to score against a Chargers defense that is one of the worst in the NFL is bad enough. But it is also the third consecutive week the Patriots have held an opposing offense to 10 points or less and did not win the game. 

For some perspective on that, every other team in the NFL is 50-0 this season when they allow 10 points or less. 

The Patriots? They are 1-3.

It is also the third consecutive game in which no team involved in a Patriots game scored more than 10 points. It's not likely to get any better next week.

The Patriots not only have a short week with a road game on Thursday night, it is against a Pittsburgh Steelers team that also has one of the league's worst offenses. It might be low scoring, but it will not necessarily be because of the defense. It will be because both offenses are terrible.

The Patriots are now 2-10 and having one of their worst seasons ever. The only good news to come out of this? They should be well positioned to meaningfully address the quarterback position with a top draft pick in the 2024 NFL Draft class.