The New England Patriots shut out the Detroit Lions by a 29-0 final score on Sunday afternoon at Gillette Stadium. Here’s who we graded “UP” or “DOWN” based on their performance in the game. (Hint: mostly ups this week).
UP: QB Bailey Zappe
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 09: Bailey Zappe #4 of the New England Patriots during the first half against the Detroit Lions at Gillette Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Nick Grace/Getty Images)
The rookie posted a passer rating of exactly 100, and it really should’ve been better, because his interception was more of a fumble lost by wide receiver Nelson Agholor. Take away the INT and Zappe’s passer rating becomes 119.8. And it wasn’t entirely a check-down passing attack; he averaged nine yards per pass attempt. Zappe stayed calm and made good decisions with the ball, which alone is impressive enough for a fourth-round rookie making his first career start.
UP: WR Jakobi Meyers
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 09: Jakobi Meyers #16 of the New England Patriots reacts after a catch during the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at Gillette Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Nick Grace/Getty Images)
Seven catches, 111 yards, and a touchdown for Meyers. Not much more to say here. It was like he never missed a game. Best week yet for the Patriots’ best, most consistent, most dependable receiver.
UP: LB Matthew Judon
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 09: Matthew Judon #9 of the New England Patriots sacks Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions during the first half at Gillette Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Nick Grace/Getty Images)
The defensive MVP through five games, Judon logged another two total sacks to become the first Patriot ever to start the season with five straight games of at least one sack. He also forced the fumble that led to Kyle Dugger’s scoop & score touchdown. And he did it against a talented offensive line. We’re running out of superlatives for his play.
UP: RB Rhamondre Stevenson
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 09: Rhamondre Stevenson #38 of the New England Patriots runs past Jeff Okudah #1 of the Detroit Lions during the first half at Gillette Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Nick Grace/Getty Images)
Faced with playing as the Patriots’ only healthy running back, Stevenson put the ground game on his shoulders. Stevenson gashed the Lions’ league-worst run defense for 6.4 yards per carry, thanks in large part to a 49-yard scamper on the Pats’ second drive of the game. He also showed great blitz pickup on a third-down conversion in the third quarter. If Damien Harris has to miss time, Stevenson could be the Patriots’ bell-cow back.
UP: CB Jack Jones
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 09: Jack Jones #13 of the New England Patriots intercepts a pass intended for T.J. Hockenson #88 of the Detroit Lions while Jahlani Tavai #48 of the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Nick Grace/Getty Images)
Yet another dynamic play by the rookie, who came up with his second career interception at a very opportune time. The Lions were threatening to reach the end zone, but instead, Jones was able to range to the sideline and undercut Jared Goff’s ill-advised pass attempt for the pick. Considering it was only 3-0 at the time and the Patriots ended up pitching a shutout, that was a huge play by a kid who’s quickly emerging as a real playmaker in the Patriots’ secondary.
UP: K Nick Folk
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 09: Nick Folk #6 of the New England Patriots looks on during the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at Gillette Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said after the game that it was a tough day for kicking with the wind conditions. That makes Folk’s day that much more impressive. Folk was 5-for-5 on field goals, a welcome show of consistency from the Pats’ special teams units.
UP: S Devin McCourty
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 09: Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots looks onward before his game against the Detroit Lions at Gillette Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Nick Grace/Getty Images)
After two straight weeks of giving up touchdowns and big plays to tight ends, the Pats’ safeties rebounded in a major way, holding T.J. Hockenson to just one garbage-time catch on four targets. McCourty gets the nod here, but you could put all the Patriots’ safeties in the “UP” column after that performance.
UP: LB Ja’Whaun Bentley
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 09: Jack Jones #13 of the New England Patriots celebrates after an interception during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Gillette Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Nick Grace/Getty Images)
Similarly to the safeties, you could simply say “Inside Linebackers” here. But in light of being a team captain and signal-caller and producing in his own right, Bentley gets the “UP” after a strong day against the Lions’ typically-high-powered running game. Detroit could only muster 3.7 yards per carry on the ground, and a lot of that can be attributed to Bentley’s five total tackles.
UP: OT Trent Brown
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 09: Trent Brown #77 of the New England Patriots blocks Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions during the first half at Gillette Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Nick Grace/Getty Images)
Once again, an individual player gets the nod for the performance of the group. Brown has been playing great football lately, and dominated again today, silencing first-round edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson and leading the way on runs to the left. Zappe described the offensive line as “the MVPs” of the game. For the offense? You could make that case.
DOWN: WR Nelson Agholor
Oct 9, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) fumbles the ball after a tackle from Detroit Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah (1) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Alas, Agholor gets the only “DOWN” in an otherwise excellent all-around game for the Patriots. Zappe’s “interception” was Agholor’s fault, as the pass looked to be right in his hands and he simply bobbled it into the hands of the opposition. That’s now three out of five games with bad ball security and an ugly turnover for Agholor. Now, especially with Tyquan Thornton back, it’ll be tough to keep him on the field so much if he can’t protect the ball.
