Insider shares Patriots' plans for Mac Jones, Malik Cunningham vs. Bills

Anybody hoping New England Patriots undrafted rookie Malik Cunningham could replace starting quarterback Mac Jones for more than a handful of plays during this Sunday's home game against the 4-2 Buffalo Bills should put that idea to bed ahead of the weekend. 

Cunningham served as Jones' primary backup and recorded six offensive snaps in last Sunday's 21-17 loss at the Las Vegas Raiders. NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported Friday that his "understanding is the (Patriots') handling of the quarterbacks during the week was largely unchanged with the Bills on Sunday, though Cunningham took fewer reps at the position this week, with his role expected to either stay the same or be scaled back from where it was in Vegas." 

Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien insisted this past Tuesday the team hasn't "lost confidence" in backup Bailey Zappe even though Cunningham leapfrogged Zappe on the depth chart last weekend. Breer noted on Friday that "Jones may have had as much rope as he has at any point in the season" at the Raiders in Week 6, and it seems that could again be the case when the 1-5 Patriots host the Bills. 

Jones found himself the subject of numerous rumors this week ahead of the Oct. 31 trade deadline, but Breer wrote that Cunningham simply is "not ready" for full-time QB1 duties. According to ESPN, Jones ranks 30th in the league among qualified players with a 36.4 adjusted QBR and a 74.4 passer rating on the season. He tallied five touchdown passes, seven interceptions and a pair of benchings over New England's first six games. 

As of early Friday evening, OddsChecker listed the Patriots as 7.5-point underdogs against Buffalo. If Sunday's game gets as ugly as the line suggests, either Cunningham or Zappe could receive the start for the Week 8 matchup at the Miami Dolphins on Oct. 29.