FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – On one side of Gillette Stadium Sunday, New England Patriots fans erected a sign with a creative message that captured the theme of the day.
“Zappe Hour,” it read in part.
Everyone was rallying around rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe, thrust into the starting role after injuries to Mac Jones and Brian Hoyer, and the fourth-round pick from Western Kentucky delivered three happy hours for the appreciative fanbase.
Supported by a stingy and opportunistic defense, as well as steady veteran kicker Nick Folk’s five field goals, Zappe (17-of-21 for 188 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) played a smart, disciplined game in his first career NFL start.
Now what?
The Patriots (2-3) visit the Cleveland Browns (2-3) on Sunday, and their margin for error remains thin as the AFC East’s last-place team. The Buffalo Bills (4-1) are rolling as one of the NFL’s elite, and the Patriots are still looking up at the Miami Dolphins (3-2) and New York Jets (3-2).
Over the past seven quarters, Zappe has proved that the Patriots can be competitive and win games if they have to turn to him.
Playing from ahead Sunday helped greatly against a Detroit Lions team that coach Dan Campbell said hit rock bottom. Patriots coaches simplified things, with a heavy emphasis on the running game and play-action passing, and the conservative approach was reflected in the Zappe-led attack finishing 3-of-9 on third down and 0-of-4 in the red zone.
Thus, it's still unclear whether Zappe could carry the Patriots to victory if they find themselves in a more difficult position, and that’s why Jones’ potential return from a severe left high ankle sprain remains one of the team’s most significant questions.
Jones was limited in practices all last week, and it was clear by Friday that even though he hoped to play, he hadn’t progressed enough to reach that point. How he responds at Wednesday’s practice this week, and if he can handle an increased workload, should provide an early indication about whether he has a realistic chance of returning against Cleveland.
Meanwhile, Zappe’s credible play inspired confidence for the Patriots that if Jones still needs more time, all hope wouldn't be lost.
“Very [confident],” starting center David Andrews said. “I thought he did a great job in managing the game, making the right calls and checks, the right decisions. He made some big throws and did a great job protecting the football.”
Added leading receiver Jakobi Meyers: “That’s just not a testament to him, that’s a testament to the coaches and the team. We just had to make sure we protected him.”
Coach Bill Belichick, who praised his coaching staff in the aftermath of Sunday’s win, relayed something else that has impressed him about Zappe.
“He does a good job of seeing the game, and can come off and identify and articulate what he saw, what happened, and [he’s] usually right,” Belichick said. “Maybe he might not have done the right thing, but he saw the game.”
By game’s end Sunday, when Zappe was taking a knee in victory formation, the home crowd serenaded him with chants of “ZAP-ee! ZAP-ee! ZAP-ee!” The 23-year-old had his parents and girlfriend in the stands and said of that moment: “I like the support, but to be honest with you, I was just more excited about the win.”
There won't be that type of support Sunday in Cleveland, and Zappe might not even be called upon if Jones is ready to return.
Nonetheless, he has filled the role of backup quarterback well -- not doing anything to sabotage the team's chance to win.
"It's kind of like I've always been told," Zappe said. "Taking advantage of your opportunity."