The New England Patriots (1-3) host the Detroit Lions (1-3) on Sunday (1:00pm).

Both the Lions and Patriots have had disappointing starts to the season. But each team has had bright spots in opposite directions: New England on defense, Detroit on offense. 

Bill Belichick still hasn’t found his answer at offensive coordinator, but the Patriots have been able to revive an air of old school defensive toughness in Foxborough. They hold bad teams to low scores (Steelers). They limit explosive offenses to manageable point totals (Dolphins). And barring a few blown plays that let things get out of control, they stay competitive with quality teams (Packers and Ravens). All while sporting some of the worst QB play in the league.

The Detroit Lions put up a ton of points, but they also allow a ton of points. The Patriots might have an opportunity for a win Sunday, but their third-string rookie QB will have to find a way to keep pace in his second start.

What we learned

Things are looking grim in Foxborough. A wounded Mac Jones watched his middling backup QB Brian Hoyer exit last week’s game against the Packers with a head injury.

Starting OT Isaiah Wynn was benched during the game, so the Patriots coaches must see him as a liability in QB protection. But it’s not like the Patriots have a ton of talent waiting on the bench to replace Wynn.

Enter third-string rookie QB Bailey Zappe. Helped by a great defensive effort, Zappe kept the Patriots competitive. The young quarterback strung together some decent looking series, but there was no game-winning drive at the end of it. 

Good teams will find a way to beat the Patriots if you give them four quarters to work with. Average teams will do the same, barring miracles in the defensive and special teams play. And does anyone truly believe the situation will improve when Mac Jones gets back from injury? He was already cellar-dwelling as one of the worst QBs in the league by the numbers. It’s going to be a long season – there’s no way around it.

What we’re wondering

A bevy of questions related to the Patriots QB situation and one general question about the defense. 

Last first, can the Patriots defense maintain its positive momentum through bad quarterback play or will the weight of carrying the offense prove too heavy of a load? Maybe it’s an ideal time to come together as a unit, taking credit for your successes and blaming (covertly) high Points Against totals on the impossible position the offense is putting them in.

On the other side of the ball: can new WRs, like Devante Parker, continue to grow in the Patriots system while the quarterback situation is in disarray? And what would it take to push New England into “quarterback controversy” territory? How good does Zappe have to play (don’t even bring up Hoyer here)? How bad does Jones have to play?

As for the Lions: how’s that QB Jared Goff experiment going? Is he still a “bridge” QB or is he playing well enough to be the short- and medium-term solution? (No such thing as “long-term” solution at any positions in today’s NFL.)

What we’re watching

After a big game against the Ravens (5 catches for 156 yards), Devante Parker came back down to earth in the Packers game (2 for 24). We want to see this big-bodied WR continue to develop in the Patriots system, learning the routes and timing that will make him a consistent threat on deep throws and in the red zone. The Lions’ weak defense might be just the thing to boost his confidence.

Who’s starting at QB for the Patriots? If it’s Mac Jones, we’ll be tracking whether he returns to league-lagging form. If it’s Brian Hoyer, watch whether the backup QB has the minimal physical attributes required to be a game manager. It didn’t look like it last week, but the offensive line play didn’t help him out. 

If the rookie QB Bailey Zappe is starting, let’s see how steep is his learning curve. In a normal year a quarterback controversy would be out of the question at this early juncture. Starter QB Mac Jones was the best rookie QB in the league last year. He didn’t suddenly get worse (or better)  over the summer. While we can and should blame the coaches’ cross-eyed offensive strategies for the 1-3 start, HC Bill Belichick is going to go with the QB he thinks he can win with. Maybe Zappe can play better cross-eyed than Jones?

Ever more chaos would have to unfold in Foxborough for this scenario to come about. But it’s a long season and stranger things have happened.

For Boston Fans

WATCH: Boston, Mass. WFXT-TV Channel 25

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