FOXBORO — A quarterback change did nothing to fix the Patriots’ anemic offense in Sunday’s 6-0 loss to the Chargers.

Bailey Zappe replaced Mac Jones as the Patriots’ starting quarterback in an expected move, but the Pats were shut out for the second time this season in an offensive performance that was difficult to watch.

Zappe, who was 2-0 as a starter as a rookie in 2022, finally was given his first start of the season after Jones was benched during four separate games this year. Jones was benched when the score was out of hand in consecutive losses in Weeks 4 and 5 to the Cowboys and Saints. After a better stretch of play, he was again benched in consecutive weeks against the Colts and Giants while those games were still competitive due to turnovers.

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Zappe avoided any turnovers but went just 13-of-25 for 141 yards. He was sacked five times.

The Patriots’ most exciting play came on a 39-yard carry by Tyquan Thornton on a reverse midway through the fourth quarter. The play led an unusually sparse Gillette Stadium crowd to chant Zappe’s name before a Chargers sack on fourth-and-5 on the next set of downs forced a change of possession.

The Patriots’ defense was stout once again against a Chargers team featuring one of the NFL’s best quarterback-wide receiver combinations in Justin Herbert and Keenan Allen, allowing just two field goals, both on short fields, in the loss.

Herbert was just 22-of-37 for 212 yards without any touchdown passes, while Allen — in the midst of a career year — was held to five catches on nine targets for 58 yards.

It was the third straight game that the Patriots’ defense allowed 10 or fewer points and still lost.

The Chargers converted their first field goal after just a seven-play, 27-yard drive early in the second quarter after starting the drive at the Patriots’ 47-yard line.

They kicked another field goal late in the second quarter after a four-play, 7-yard drive. The Chargers started their drive at the Patriots’ 27-yard line after Bryce Baringer’s 57-yard punt was returned 34 yards by rookie Derius Davis.

Zappe and the offense had four drives to mount a comeback in the second half but punted twice and turned the ball over on downs twice.

The Chargers clinched the game with a 23-yard completion from Herbert to wide receiver Alex Erickson on third-and-11 with 1:47 remaining in the game before kneeling on the ball for the win.

Patriots rookie Malik Cunningham was elevated from the practice squad for Sunday’s game but didn’t receive any playing time. The Patriots never got inside the red zone in Sunday’s loss.

The Patriots turned the ball over just once on a lost fumble by running back Rhamondre Stevenson, who fumbled while injuring his ankle on a hip-drop tackle from Chargers rookie outside linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu.

BEST

WR DeVante Parker: He was flagged for a false start, but Parker also caught four passes on nine targets for 64 yards and drew a defensive pass interference penalty.

CB J.C. Jackson: It was a solid showing for Jackson, who had two pass breakups Sunday against the team that traded him back to the Patriots earlier this season.

DE Josh Uche: Uche stuffed running back Austin Ekeler for a 7-yard lass late in the second quarter in one of his best plays in run defense of his Patriots career.

WORST

RT Mike Onwenu: Typically one of the Patriots’ few bright spots on offense, Onwenu had trouble blocking Chargers defensive end Khalil Mack.

QB Bailey Zappe: The Patriots’ new starting quarterback didn’t provide a spark after replacing Jones.

Another key injury: It was apparent that running back Stevenson was not coming back into the game after he was unable to put weight on his right ankle after suffering an injury late in the first quarter.