Felger and Mazz: Thoughts on the Patriots big win over the Lions

The New England Patriots took down the Detroit Lions 29-0 in Bailey Zappe's first career NFL start at quarterback. On Monday, Felger, Mazz, and Jim Murray gave their thoughts on the Patriots win over the Lions.

Felger: Mazz, Murray..your thoughts?

Mazz: Okay, let's start with this, since we're quarterback centric off the top, if I were Mac Jones, I would be careful. That's all. I don't think he's lost the job yet, but I would be careful. And I'm not telling you, i'm not giving you my personal feelings on the game yesterday, i'm telling you the reality of the situation. They played a clean game, they won 29-0, and that went the way the coach wanted it to go. So, if you're Mac Jones, I would pay attention, i'd make sure I get back as soon as I can. And if I am at all pouting about any of the crap that went on in the off-season, some of the pouting is justified, if that's the case, then I would shut up and start playing football and try to appease the coaching staff and win games the way they want to win them.

Jim Murray: Or if you wanted to come back and getting the tight rope surgery would expedite that process, and you put it off because you didn't trust it, you know, you saw firsthand how it affected certain teammates of yours at Alabama, you might want to rethink that,. Because, I'm with Mazz, I don't think it's a lock he gets his job back if Zappe starts these next couple of weeks and they start stringing together wins and it looks like this. Now was he the impetus behind yesterday? No. Even though i'm suffering from Zappe fever, still, I had to take some ibuprofen to get some rest before I came in today. But that being said, that was more of the defense. But still, like Mazz said, that's what the coaches want. He's controllable, like I said, from, you know, when he was thrown in against Green Bay last week, he's, "yes, sir, no, sir. Whatever you need". And you didn't get that with Mac Jones. And that part of it, Bill, you know, loves the controllable part of that with this kid. And the biggest takeaway, too, is, well, just on the defense, like the lions did lions things, but I don't wanna take away from the Patriots they have two legitimate asses in seats, like fun to watch stud players on that side of the ball, Matthew Judon, Jack Jones. I think Jack Jones is legitimate. Like, that kid's really, really good. So tip of the cap there. I mean, that team was averaging 35 points a game and I know they're the Lions and did screw up and do Lions-y things, we'll get to that. But that you shut them out, that is impressive. And if you look at the landscape of the league, starting with that hideous Thursday night game, they're in it. They're in it. They should string along some wins here with the schedule coming up, starting with Cleveland this week. And they should be in the thick of things.