The New England Patriots benched Mac Jones for Bailey Zappe on the final drive of their loss to the Indianapolis Colts with the quarterback change unable to produce the result they wanted.

After the Patriots were able to pick up a first down on fourth-and-1 with under 50 seconds left at their 40-yard line, Zappe pulled a fake spike to try and catch the Colts off-guard. That didn't work though as Zappe threw a pass downfield into triple coverage, with Rodney Thomas coming up with the interception at the Colts' 37-yard line, sealing the win for Indianapolis with 36 seconds left.

Zappe was asked about the odd decision following the game, biting his tongue initially.

“I can't say what I want to say,” Zappe told reporters.

The Patriots' second-year quarterback slowly began to open up a little more though on the decision to run a fake spike and throw the ball down the field.

“We were trying to get ahead of the time by taking a shot,” Zappe said. “We figured the play that we had, the fake spike, with trying to catch the defense off-guard.”

New England had no timeouts remaining when Zappe entered the game at quarterback with 1:52 remaining and the ball at its 14-yard line. Trailing 10-6, the Patriots knew they had to take chances down the field at some point. However, Zappe admitted to feeling some regret over the throw.

“It was kind of me just trying to force it, trying to make a play to get us ahead of the time,” Zappe said. “Looking back at it, like I said, I could probably have just said, hey, throw it incomplete, live the next down, try to see if you can take another shot.”

Bailey Zappe ready to start if his number gets called for Patriots 

Zappe replaced a struggling Jones in a game for the third time this season on Sunday. On the drive prior to entering the game, Jones underthrew Mike Gesicki and was intercepted as the tight end was about to get open in the end zone as the team was trying to take the lead with 4:16 left.

Zappe said that he was told he would be entering the last drive in a pretty blunt way.

“[Offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien] said you’re taking this drive,” Zappe said. “I said ‘Yes sir.'”

Zappe admitted that it wasn't the most ideal spot for him to take over the game, though he held himself accountable for not pulling through.

“Yeah, but that’s the stuff you look forward to. A two-minute drive,” Zappe said. “I can’t make excuses. I’ve got to go out there and execute. I have to take advantage of the reps I get in the two-minute and try to get better.”

Patriots coach Bill Belichick wouldn't say or speculate on who would be the team's starting quarterback moving forward. But if the team wants to go to Zappe when they return from the bye in Week 11 against the New York Giants, he said he'll be ready.

“100 percent,” Zappe replied when asked if he'd be ready to go if his number gets called upon.