Pre-Game Thread- Bears @ Pats

[Guts]

Keep reading from different reporters that "per sources" Mac is starting tonight. I find it interesting that the team has yet to announce Mac as the starter. You read that he took the "bulk" of the 1st team reps on Saturday. The bulk? So not all of them? Why not? Maybe it's gamesmanship by Bill. Maybe he's still not 100% there. His first week, he was deemed out by Friday. Second week, was doubtful by Friday. Last week, Zappe didn't know until Saturday he would start. I assume the decision was made yesterday. Probably Mac, but who knows.

I'd rather they start Mac tonight if he's healthy and get his confidence back. This should be a W. That way we can be rolling into what has become a huge Jets game this early in the season. Usually the Jets are finished at this point lol

 

[venecol]

 

[jdlboot14]

Based on your thorough analysis, I'll offer a counter argument:

Both loses to MIA & BAL were a direct result of our giveaways. If Zappe had played MIA or BAL the first 3 weeks, since he doesn't give away the ball at the same rate, he wins at least 1 if not both games.

That answer shows the inability to account for the "bad defenses" I'm referring to. You're only sample size for Zappe are Det & Cle (and most of the GB game where he couldn't do much - even Heineke just beat them). So, to say Zappe "doesn't give away the ball" is comparing apples to oranges. We don't know, because he hasn't faced a good Defense yet. I'm not saying Zappe might not end up better than Mac. But it's ludicrous to make a declaration that Zappe is better at this stage - based on his small & poor level of competition. Let's see how Mac responds. If the offense looks clearly less potent tonight, and for the next 3 games - then I'm all about bringing Zappe back.

 

[JarOfMayo51]

Huge mistake to rush Mac back for this winnable game. This will seriously backfire if he has another turnover laden game and the Pats lose a close 18-16 defensive snoozefest.

If his ankle is healthy I hope his eyes have healed too. He needs his eyes to see the wide open tight ends he couldn't see thru the first few weeks of the season.

Hoping for another week of Zappe.

They ain't beating the new improved Jets on the road no matter who starts.

So let's start the healthy QB here on Monday.

Jets lost Breece Hall for the season, he was a legit RB and will hurt their offense

 

[Froob]

You probably won't see me up in the nose bleeds, but I'm wearing Pat Patriot Mac jerseys + vampire cape as Count Mac-ula.

 

[Patjew]

You probably won't see me up in the nose bleeds, but I'm wearing Pat Patriot Mac jerseys + vampire cape as Count Mac-ula.

That's a good one! Have a great time and stay dry.

 

[Pats2000]

So with MJ back this week, we will see a return of our passing attack for the first time in 4 weeks. A few things I will be interested to see:

1. MJ has been an absolute monster in the deep passing game this season (most deep passes completed, most deep passing yards accumulated, etc) despite a shaky start to the season for the OL. Now that the OL has stabilized, as it always does in October, I'm excited to see just how dominant this deep passing attack will be. Chicago actually has a very good secondary, but I expect MJ will shred them mercilessly.

2. Tyquan Thornton has been getting open fairly consistently, even deep down the field, but has had no one with an arm who could take advantage of him. He could have a huge breakout game here with MJ back.

3. The running attack has been dominant these last 3 games even without the threat of a passing game. Now that we can have more balance, the running game should be even potent.

4. Matt Patricia has been brilliant since week 2. He's already better than Josh McDaniels. Combine that with the stabilization of the OL and MJ's return, and I can't wait to see his creativity this week and what he has up his sleaze. He will no longer be handcuffed like he has been the last 3 games.

It's good to have our boy back. The sky is the limit for this team.

JMD looking like some trash in Las Vegas. I'm glad he isn't the heir apparent to BB. I never liked him as a head coach.

 

[PowerRunRevival]

Excited to see Mac tonight. The Pats did a lot better job keeping Zappe upright than they did for Mac. I'm excited to see Mac with the better protection, play calling and run game. This team should continue to be run first and that successful running will make Mac's job easier.

I predict a successful deep ball from Mac to Thornton tonight.

 

[mikey m]

That answer shows the inability to account for the "bad defenses" I'm referring to. You're only sample size for Zappe are Det & Cle (and most of the GB game where he couldn't do much - even Heineke just beat them). So, to say Zappe "doesn't give away the ball" is comparing apples to oranges. We don't know, because he hasn't faced a good Defense yet. I'm not saying Zappe might not end up better than Mac. But it's ludicrous to make a declaration that Zappe is better at this stage - based on his small & poor level of competition. Let's see how Mac responds. If the offense looks clearly less potent tonight, and for the next 3 games - then I'm all about bringing Zappe back.

That Ravens defense was not a good D.

 

[denverpatsfan]

So definitely Mac tonite? Or lineup isn't official till 4pm??

 

[moosekill]

It hasn't been officially announced yet.

 

[Delicate Genius]

 

[Keyser Söze]

Thank god, the blue on blue is atrocious.

 

[Foxypats]

I don’t like Monday night games . Living on the west coast, I get home from work between 5.30 and 6 so will definitely miss kick off and maybe most of quarter 1 !!

 

[catent]

They could come up with tremendous uniforms if they took the red throwback concept, replaced the bright red with the current navy blue, and kept the rest the same: white helmet, white pants.

As for the logo, I don't really care either way - go with Flying Elvis or Pat Patriot, either is fine. Just make the darn helmet and pants white. The monochrome navy-on-navy is godawful.

 

[Sicilian]

I don’t like Monday night games . Living on the west coast, I get home from work between 5.30 and 6 so will definitely miss kick off and maybe most of quarter 1 !!

Being on the east coast, I hate it for the opposite reason. The game won't end until close to midnight, and I have to get up at 5 the next morning to go to work.

 

[Jim Beankie]

Zolak seems to think it's gonna be Zappe tonight, and I think he may have a point. Short week recovery for an away game isn't a good idea for 1st time back from an injury. Plus the bad weather (well, the rain will stop for the game it looks like). We'll see, I guess. BB must be grinning at his luck with this golden opportunity for obfuscation.

 

[JMC00]

Zolak thinks Zappe is starting

Scott Zolak: I'd bet on Bailey Zappe starting tonight

On Monday's edition of Zolak & Bertrand, Scott Zolak said he'd bet on Bailey Zappe starting against the Bears tonight.

985thesportshub.com

 

[Rob0729]

Keep reading from different reporters that "per sources" Mac is starting tonight. I find it interesting that the team has yet to announce Mac as the starter. You read that he took the "bulk" of the 1st team reps on Saturday. The bulk? So not all of them? Why not? Maybe it's gamesmanship by Bill. Maybe he's still not 100% there. His first week, he was deemed out by Friday. Second week, was doubtful by Friday. Last week, Zappe didn't know until Saturday he would start. I assume the decision was made yesterday. Probably Mac, but who knows.

Whether he is starting or not. They will never announce it. That isn't their style. Whether there is a competitive advantage or not, Belichick thinks there is one.

I fully expect Marcus Cannon to start at RT based on Wynn's social media temper tantrum, but the Pats haven't announced that either. Nor has it been leaked that this is the change.

Mac and Zappe may know who is starting. But I doubt either would leak it just like last week.

 

[catent]

I'd be inclined to believe Zolak in the absence of other reporting, but didn't we get a report on Friday night / Saturday morning that Jones is expected to start barring a setback?

Maybe they're internally reevaluating that decision.