NFL power rankings: Which teams will have the best passing attack this season?
By Ryan Heckman
30. New England Patriots
Last season, the Patriots finished 20th in passing, overall. That seems too high for a team that, at one point, had a quarterback controversy brewing between Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe. In addition, it was Matt Patricia calling the plays, offensively, which is a completely different and hilarious story altogether.
New England doesn’t seem to have any real identity passing the football, and unless Jones takes a major step forward, we could see more of the same from last year. Jones didn’t push the ball downfield too often and was never one with the big arm in college, either.
Meanwhile, behind him is Zappe, who is the polar opposite type of passer. Zappe can push the ball down the field with the best of them, as evidenced by the near-6,000 yards he threw for in 2021. Jones will struggle again this season, and the Patriots will have a quarterback conundrum once more.
New England also doesn’t have a legitimate, alpha wide receiver. That room consists of guys like JuJu Smith-Schuster, Devante Parker, Kendrick Bourne and Tyquan Thornton, among others. If Zappe takes over, it would be ideal for New England to see someone emerge as a real WR1.