I don't believe any team in the league had WORSE QB play than the Patriots.
Name the teams in question, since the story isn't a broad brush. For example, the JEST Defense is fantastic - can't take that away from them. After his dismal performance against the Cowboys in week 2, Zach Wilson threw 3 - JUST 3! - picks. Also, for all his warts, and they're considerable, Wilson, particularly with Garrett Wilson there, can challenge much more of the field than Mac Jones.
The JEST had a better turnover differential than the Patriots - and that matters.
The JEST beat the Giants and the Commanders with competent, even good, QB play - two games the Pats lost because of BAD QB play. Flip those two games alone and the Pats win 6, the JEST 5. Both teams had sucky QB'ing, both teams sucked - but suckage isn't a straight line (Mac v Buffalo, Wilson v Texans, if you get my point).
I'll add in that Wilson went off in a couple of games, most notably the Texans' game. He can do that. He can win a game with his arm. It's sporadic and I want nothing to do with him, but he has the physical talent to do things Jones and Zappe cannot. If I'm a DC, I'd rather face Jones or Zappe than Wilson.