FOXBORUGH — There will be plenty of creatures stirring in New England houses on Christmas Eve this year.
Most will be in front of television sets as the Patriots are slated to take on the Broncos for an 8:15 p.m. kickoff in Denver. Sean Payton’s team is favored by a touchdown in the prime time matchup, but will the Patriots be able to pull off a Mile High upset?
Here are three predictions for the Christmas Eve game:
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1. Zappe isn’t uneven
Somewhat inexplicably, Bailey Zappe’s first and second halves have gone full Jekyll and Hyde this season.
In the first half, Zappe has gone 36-of-52 (69.2 %) with four touchdown passes and no interceptions. In the second? He’s yet to throw a touchdown, has been picked off four times, and is completing 53.5% (38-of- 71) of his passes. With passer ratings of 115.5 and 43.3, it’s been a stark contrast.
As the Patriots play out the string, the second-year quarterback wants to prove he can play a full 60 minutes.
“For me personally, I think it’s important for me to put a full game together,” Zappe said. “First halves have been great. Second half hasn’t been so good. So I think if I’m able to go out there and execute and run the offense the way it’s supposed to be run for two halves, I think we’ll score a lot more points. That directly reflects on me doing my job well, and that will relate to everybody else doing good. So for me, that’s what I want to do.”
The crystal ball is showing both good and bad news for Zappe on Christmas Eve.
Good news: Zappe isn’t terribly uneven.
Bad news: He’s middling for the entire game.
2. Jonathan Jones snares an INT
With the Patriots leading the league in run defense and growing increasingly thin at cornerback, the bet here is that Denver goes to the air. With J.C. Jackson landing on the non-football illness list for the remainder of the season, the Patriots will likely play Jonathan Jones, Alex Austin, and Shaun Wade at corner in Denver.
As is often the case, Jones has flown under the radar (again) this season, but he’s been a very good piece for a defense that’s held up their end of the bargain amidst a 3-11 season. One thing Jones doesn’t have yet is an interception.
He’ll break that drought in Denver, snagging a pick from Russell Wilson.
3. Patriots still lose
Patriots fans get the Christmas wish that a good chunk of the fanbase is hoping for: New England plays a competitive game to the end, but ultimately lose to the Broncos, 20-18.
With the defeat, the Patriots finish the weekend still slated to pick No. 2 overall in next spring’s 2024 NFL Draft and keep a franchise quarterback in their sights.
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