QB Bailey Zappe
The rookie had another great game, playing 60 minutes of mistake-free football. The Western Kentucky product was 21/28, throwing for 309 yards and two touchdowns. Evan Lazar from Patriots.com reported since Zappe took over for Mac Jones, the Patriots offense is fourth in expected points added per play, and Zappe is fifth in EPA per play; Additionally, he leads all quarterbacks in completion percentage over expected. (CPOE)
In his second start, Zappe’s playbook seemed opened up as he threw downfield often, averaging 9.1 yards per play.
Although the starting quarterback job is Mac’s too loose, Bailey Zappe is playing exceptionally well and is proving he can be an efficient quarterback in the NFL.
RB Rhamondre Stevenson
With the absence of starting running back Damien Harris, Stevenson took on a heavy workload for the second consecutive week. No other Patriots running back touched the ball until midway through the third quarter, a sign of the type of confidence the Patriots have in Stevenson. Although Stevenson didn’t have a monster performance against the statistically-worst defense in the NFL, he racked up 76 yards on 19 carries and caught four passes on five targets for 15 yards. His most impressive run of the day was his first touchdown, which came on third down. It was a 31-yard run.
WR Tyquan Thornton
Rookie Tyquan Thornton had the biggest game of his career thus far. Thornton finished with four catches for 37 yards and a touchdown. He also showed his speed by taking a fourth-quarter jet-sweep in for the touchdown. The wide receiver room is getting hit with injuries as starter Nelson Agholor was inactive due to a hamstring injury, and Kendrick Bourne left the game early in the first quarter with a toe injury.
Although Thornton has played just two games this season due to a shoulder injury that landed him on the IR, he has already shown he can impact the Patriots’ offense.
S Kyle Dugger
Kyle Dugger had another great game. He led the Patriots’ defense in tackles and had an interception and two passes defended.
On the game’s second play, Browns QB Jacoby Brissett dropped back to pass and was intercepted by Dugger. He has emerged as one of the best defenders for New England and continues to show his skill every game. Adrian Phillips said in a press conference, “He watches film 24/7; not many do that.”
Run defense
The Browns came into Week 6 with the best rushing attack in the NFL, but they had a lot of trouble running the ball against New England. The Patriots came up with a game plan that limited RB Nick Chubb to 56 yards on 12 carries. New England had another short fourth-down stop in the first half. In New England territory, the Browns tried a QB sneak on
fourth-and-one, and the Patriots were ready and stopped them.
Additionally, backup RB Kareem Hunt had four carries for 12 yards. Furthermore, the Patriots sacked QB Jacoby Brissett four times and applied pressure throughout the game.
Honorable Mentions: Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, Matthew Judon, DeVante Parker
Duds
RT Isaiah Wynn
Tackle Isaiah Wynn struggled on Sunday, as he was benched periodically for the second time this season. He is now eighth in the NFL in penalties and has a penalty in each game this season. Wynn was responsible for the Myles Garret strip-sack; following this costly mistake, he was benched the next drive for veteran Marcus Cannon.
Wynn’s time in New England may be coming to an end as he removed his Instagram bio from anything Patriots. Wynn is in his contract year, and it is doubtful he will remain in New England next season.
Coaching
The Patriots committed a season-high 12 penalties on Sunday, and it was the first game since 2018 in which they committed more than ten penalties in a single game. Eight of the 12 penalties were committed pre-snap, which is inexcusable.
Honorable Mentions: Rookie Running backs, Trent Brown, and Raekwon McMillan
My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 17-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Thepatriotsbeat@gmail.com with any inquires.
