Was preparing to turn in for the night when it started. A cold sweat. Scratchy throat. Body aches and itchy eyes.
Zappe Fever.
The irony, of course, is that it’s all starting to look like Bill Belichick undoubtedly envisioned it, the Patriots hitting their stride in Weeks 5 and 6, against weaker competition, the New England defense leading the way. The Patriots feel like a run-first team. They lack a signature wide receiver. But a team is a team is a T-E-A-M, right down to a nondescript quarterback who generally makes good decisions, protects the football, manages the game.
The catch?
The quarterback isn’t whom anyone expected it to be.
Yesterday in Cleveland, Bailey Zappe turned in the best game by a New England quarterback this season, completing 24-of-34 passes for 309 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions in a 38-15 Patriots victory that moved Bill (Baby Bear) Belichick into a tie with George (Papa Bear) Halas for No. 2 on the NFL’s list for all-time coaching victories. Mac Jones appears to be getting closer and closer to a return from a Week 3 ankle injury, but one can only wonder now whether Zappe has more done than just keep Jones’ seat warm in the Patriots huddle.
Maybe he has just taken it.
Should Zappe remain the starter now?
Here are the reasons you should say yes, starting with the most obvious:
Zappe Has Played Better
CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 16: Bailey Zappe #4 of the New England Patriots attempts a pass during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
You want the proof? Both Jones and Zappe both have played almost three full games this year. While Jones has thrown 97 passes to just 70 for Zappe, the latter has a higher completion percentage (72.9 to 66.0), more touchdown passes (4 to 2), fewer interceptions (1 to 5) and and a far superior quarterback rating (111.4 to 76.2). Zappe has averaged 8.5 yards per attempt, Jones 8.1.
The Patriots Are Winning
CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 16: Cole Strange #69 of the New England Patriots celebrates with Tyquan Thornton #11 of the New England Patriots after Thornton’s touchdown during the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Is that overly simplistic? Yes. But we all know one of the first rules of sports: it if ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Yes, Zappe has faced a far easier schedule. Until this past weekend, Belichick and the Patriots generally asked very little of him. But the fact remains that with Zappe as starter over the last two weeks, the Patriots have outscored opponents 67-15. Besides, it’s not as if Jones’ NFL resume is littered with wins over quality opponents. Last year, he padded his numbers with wins over the Jaguars and Jets (twice).
Zappe Continues To Handle Increased Responsibility
CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 16: Bailey Zappe #4 of the New England Patriots breaks a tackle from Grant Delpit #22 of the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
In his first game – in relief of Brian Hoyer – Zappe threw just 15 passes. The next week, he threw 21. Yesterday, with the Patriots running game largely stymied, Belichick let Zappe throw 34 times, one fewer than Jones’ season-high of 35 (against Pittsburgh). Zappe threw in the face of pressure, went through multiple reads, generally handled the burden of the leading offense in every way imaginable. And he passed with flying colors.
Zappe Distributed The Ball Effectively
CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 16: DeVante Parker #1 of the New England Patriots celebrates with Tyquan Thornton #11 of the New England Patriots after Thornton’s touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Remember that old Patriots credo? The preferred receiver is the open receiver. Zappe executed it yesterday almost flawlessly. Five different Patriots caught at least four passes. Four different Patriots had at least 60 yards receiving. Five had a catch of at least 21 yards and a sixth had a 17-yard reception. Get the picture? Everyone was involved. Everyone. Maybe that’s why Baby Bear Belichick had a smile on his face.
Zappe Comes With No Baggage
CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 16: Bailey Zappe #4 of the New England Patriots talks with quarterbacks coach Joe Judge against the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Admittedly, this is a little unfair. By all accounts, Jones is generally bright, hard-working and tough. But the changes in the offense and on the coaching staff seemed to frustrate him throughout the preseason and into the early regular season. Only in Week 3 did it feel as if Jones was approaching a full buy-in, but that’s when he was injured. (The Patriots really weren’t able to protect him all year.) A fourth-round pick this year, Zappe had little choice but to answer every directive from the coaches with a nod and a yessir. Which is exactly what Belichick is looking for.
Does that mean Belichick will commit to Zappe as his starter? Only the Baby Bear knows. But if Zappe Fever was nothing mere case of the sniffles a week ago … well … suffice it to say that the symptoms have significantly intensified.
