FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 09: Bailey Zappe #4 of the New England Patriots looks onward as he warms up before his game against the Detroit Lions at Gillette Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)

We’ve gone final at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots improved to 2-3 on the season after a 29-0 waxing of the Detroit Lions, led by a superlative effort on the part of the defense in shutting out what was the league’s No. 1-ranked scoring offense entering the game.

Scroll down for a recap of our live updates from the game.

Yet Another Nick Folk Field Goal

Nick Folk is now 5-for-5 kicking field goals, extending the Patriots’ lead with five minutes to go. It’s now 29-0 Patriots. Now, all the Pats need to do is finish off the shutout on defense.

Patriots Score First Offensive Touchdown

Got that “Zappe Fevah” yet?! Bailey Zappe has thrown his first touchdown pass of the day, a 24-yard completion to Jakobi Meyers. It’s now 26-0 Patriots.

Patriots Extend Lead

Nick Folk is good yet again. He’s 4-for-4, and the Patriots are officially up three scores on Lions after a solid drive to open the third quarter. However, Kendrick Bourne’s screen was quickly snuffed out by the Lions on third-and-11, which prompted the field goal try.

The Patriots seem to be playing conservatively with Bailey Zappe, and to be fair, they don’t need to play aggressively as they’re shutting the Lions out. They can play it save and kick field goals all day if the Lions aren’t going to score.

HALFTIME: Patriots 16, Lions 0.

Nick Folk’s third field goal of the day is good as time expires, bringing the Patriots’ lead to 16-0 at halftime.

No offensive touchdowns so far for the Pats, but a defensive touchdown by safety Kyle Dugger and steady kicking from Folk has the Patriots at 16 points. The Lions, meanwhile, can’t get out of their own way. It’s been a strong day for the defense so far, and Bailey Zappe has avoided bad mistakes with the ball. Zappe’s “interception” is really on Nelson Agholor, who bobbled an accurate pass.

Either way, the Patriots are in firm control of this game at the half.

Judon Makes Strip Sack, Dugger Takes It To The House

Another massive play by the Patriots defense. Matthew Judon closes on Jared Goff and knocks the ball loose, and safety Kyle Dugger scoops it up and takes it all the way to the end zone. It’s now 13-0 Patriots.

Zappe “Intercepted”, Lions Take Over

Bailey Zappe appeared to hit Nelson Agholor right in the hands, but Agholor bobbled it away and it ended up an “interception” by the Lions. That really should be scored as a fumble lost, but that’s how it goes with football box scores. Lions take over.

Jack Jones Makes Incredible Interception

Patriots rookie cornerback Jack Jones has made another great play for an interception. This time he pounces on a questionable throw by Jared Goff to save the Pats from giving up points.

Patriots Score First

Bailey Zappe just led the Patriots on a solid scoring drive. They came up short of the end zone, but Nick Folk’s 37-yard field goal is good to make it 3-0 Patriots.

The big offensive play on this drive was a 23-yard completion to a wide-open Hunter Henry, which came off a play-action fake from Zappe.

There was also a scary moment, though, as Lions defensive back Saivion Smith appeared to suffer a serious injury on the play that ended with the Henry completion. He was stretchered into an ambulance and driven off the field. We’ll continue to monitor that situation.

Patriots Stuff Lions On Fourth-And-1

Big play for the Patriots defense early. Jamaal Williams is stuffed for no gain on fourth-and-1. The Pats offense takes over around midfield for Bailey Zappe’s first series as a starting quarterback.

Patriots Win Toss, Defer

The Lions called tails and the coin came up heads. Detroit will receive to start the game.

Throwback Look

Check out some photos of Patriots players, including starting quarterback Bailey Zappe, and the field from pregame.

Inactives

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Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.

Patriots Extend Lead

It’s now 6-0 Patriots. Nick Folk is 2-for-2 on field goals.

The big play to get the Pats in position for points was a 49-yard run by Rhamondre Stevenson.