Patriots Daily: Zappe vs. Siemian on Sunday; The End Is Near

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien has confirmed that Bailey Zappe will start at quarterback against the New York Jets. Although Zappe threw three early interceptions against the Buffalo Bills last Sunday, he states he never considered they would replace him in the game. For better or worse, this is certainly a change from how Mac Jones was playing QB for New England toward the end of his run. Jones seemed very aware that he could be pulled for his next mistake. As a result, Jones began playing trying to avoid mistakes, which is no way to play quarterback in the National Football League.

The Jets will start Trevor Siemian on Sunday. Zach Wilson remains out with a concussion. So instead of a matchup of the 2021 first round picks (Jones vs. Wilson) the game will feature Zappe vs. Siemian.

The End Is Near

In two days the New England Patriots will play their final game of the 2023 NFL season. The game will not just end this year’s Patriots season, it could be the end of much more.

Will this be Bill Belichick’s last game as HC of the NEP?

Is special teams captain Matthew Slater going to retire after the game?

Which Patriots players (other than Trent Brown) will not be returning to New England next season?

Regardless of what some fans are rooting for, coaches and players are hoping one thing that doesn’t end on Sunday is the Patriots 15-game win streak against the Jets.

Also in today’s Patriots Daily: Bills Mafia invades Miami; Dalvin Cook released; Devante Adams endorses Antonio Pierce, and more.

New England Patriots

Patriots Football Now – Kelley: Bill Belichick’s Focus and Consistency is Commendable

Patriots Football Now – PFF’s Best and Worst Patriots Performances in Buffalo

AFC East News

WKBW.com– Bills Mafia takeover? 52% of fans for Buffalo-Miami game projected to be Bills fans

Pro Football Talk – Miami Dolphins polarizing Week 18 plan at cornerback

NewYorkJets.com – New York Jets release RB Dalvin Cook

NFL News

NFL.com – Baltimore Ravens add RB Dalvin Cook

Yardbarker – Raiders star explains why he want Antonio Pierce to get HC job

ESPN – Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown ‘hot’ over Pro Bowl snub

PFN+ – 2024 NFL Draft Previews

Boston Bruins

Go over to our sibling site Boston Hockey Now to check out the great Boston Bruins coverage from Jimmy Murphy and the BHN team. The NHL season is underway and there is plenty happening in the Bruins 100 Anniversary season.

Subscribe here or at BHN to get a subscription to both sites. Subscribers get bonus coverage such as NFL Draft scouting reports and weekly NFL Power Rankings. It also provides a completely ad-free experience on the sites.

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Fun Fact of the Day

This weekend will mark game No. 50 for Bill Belichick as head coach of the New England Patriots against the New York Jets. New England currently enjoys a 38-11 advantage over New York with Belichick at the helm. The Patriots have outscored the Jets 1,251 to 769 over that time.

Tweet of the Day

Tweet of the Day is a throwback from Yianni Kourakis showing the press conference when Bill Belichick resigns as head coach of the New York Jets before coaching a game for them…

Best thing to watch during Jets week–Bill Belichick resigning as HC of the NYJ..Jan 4th 2000 after one day @wpri12 pic.twitter.com/dfG418O77H

— Yianni Kourakis (@WPBF_Yianni) December 23, 2015