Mac Jones Patriots future odds: Quarterback keeps starting job for Week 6 vs. Raiders, but outlook murky

New England's Bill Belichick is considered the greatest coach in NFL history, but a coach is only as good as his starting quarterback, which has never been more evident. The Patriots were humiliated for a second straight week Sunday, this time by a 34-0 score on their own field by a mediocre New Orleans Saints team. Belichick pulled struggling starting quarterback Mac Jones for a second straight game but says he remains the QB1. SportsLine offers odds on Jones' very murky future.

Belichick pulled Jones in the third quarter of the Pats' Week 4 blowout loss to the Cowboys after he completed 12 of 21 passes for 150 yards with no touchdowns, two interceptions and a lost fumble, with two of those turnovers returned for scores. In Sunday's 34-0 defeat, Jones threw his NFL-leading third pick six midway through the first quarter, then another interception in the third quarter and was 12-of-22 for 110 yards before he was replaced by Bailey Zappe early in the fourth.

New England managed only 156 total yards against New Orleans in the largest home shutout in Patriots history. It hasn't scored a touchdown since the second quarter of its Week 3 win over the New York Jets. That's a span of 34 offensive possessions, which is the longest active streak in the NFL, followed by the New York Giants (25). It's the first time that a Belichick-coached team has scored three or fewer points in back-to-back games.

"Yeah," Belichick answered if Jones remained his starter. "There were a lot of problems. It certainly wasn't all on him."

The Patriots have been outscored 45-0 off turnovers this season, the worst such point differential in the NFL. Last year, they allowed 37 points off turnovers all season and topped the NFL with a +77 points-off-turnover differential. Sunday's marked Jones' fourth career pick-six at Gillette Stadium. Tom Brady threw four in his entire career there.

New England is the fifth team in the last 35 years to lose back-to-back games by at least 34 points, the first since the 2019 Dolphins to be outscored by at least 69 points in a two-game span, and first club since the 1987 Falcons to score threw or fewer points and allow at least 72 points in a two-game span.

According to reports, the number of first-team reps for Zappe did increase last week and it will be interesting to see if that continues when the team returns to practice Wednesday. Zappe was no better against the Saints, though, as he went 3-of-9 for 22 yards and couldn't pick up a first down in his four series under center. The Pats don't have any better options than Zappe, who was cut in late August and then re-signed when he went through waivers unclaimed.

New England is currently +3 for Week 6 at Las Vegas – coached by former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, whom Jones played quite well as a rookie  – but that number may change depending on what the Raiders do on Monday at home vs. Green Bay.

Via SportsLine oddsmakers: Will Mac Jones start every game this season for the Patriots at QB (non-injury)?

• No -400
• Yes +300

Via SportsLine oddsmakers: Will Mac Jones be the Patriots' Week 1 2024 starting QB?

• No -160
• Yes  +130

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