GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 02: Bailey Zappe #4 of the New England Patriots and Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers shake hands after Green Bay’s 27-24 win in overtime at Lambeau Field on October 02, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
The New England Patriots came close to pulling off a stunning road upset behind third-string quarterback Bailey Zappe, but the Green Bay Packers were able to escape overtime with a 27-24 win. Here’s who we graded “UP” or “DOWN” from the Patriots, based on their performance in the game…
UP: CB Jack Jones
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 02: Allen Lazard #13 of the Green Bay Packers lays on his back as Quinn Nordin #13 of the New England Patriots returns an interception for a touchdown during the second quarter at Lambeau Field on October 02, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Sunday was a breakout effort for the rookie out of Arizona State, who grabbed himself a pick-six against Aaron Rodgers near the end of the first half. Jones also punched the ball loose and recovered his own forced fumble on the Packers’ first drive of the game. Jones is a playmaker. He figures to get more playing time going forward, especially if Jalen Mills continues to miss time.
DOWN: OT Isaiah Wynn
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 02: Bailey Zappe #4 of the New England Patriots fumbles the ball while being hit by Rashan Gary #52 of the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter at Lambeau Field on October 02, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
The bad start for Wynn got worse in Green Bay. Wynn allowed a sack against Brian Hoyer that may have gotten the quarterback a concussion, and also committed a holding penalty that same drive. He was also beaten badly on what ended up a strip-sack on Bailey Zappe. Wynn was replaced as the main right tackle by Marcus Cannon in the second half. It’s been a forgettable first month for him.
UP: LB Matthew Judon
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 02: Matthew Judon #9 of the New England Patriots sacks Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter at Lambeau Field on October 02, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Judon logged a sack for his fourth straight game to start the season, making him the first Patriot since Andre Tippett in 1986 to do so. He continues to be a problem up front regardless of who’s blocking him. Judon is arguably the Patriots’ best, most consistent player over the first four weeks.
DOWN: LB Jahlani Tavai
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 02: Jahlani Tavai #48 of the New England Patriots tackles Aaron Jones #33 of the Green Bay Packers during the first half at Lambeau Field on October 02, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Rodgers seemed to pick on Tavai whenever he was on the field. He bit inside and lost contain on a fourth-down run by Aaron Jones, and also appeared to get beat on tight end Robert Tonyan’s touchdown catch. Smart, skilled quarterbacks like Rodgers are going to know they have a good matchup whenever they see Tavai on the field.
UP: QB Bailey Zappe
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 02: Bailey Zappe #4 of the New England Patriots attempts a pass during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 02, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Zappe gets an “UP” for throwing his first career touchdown pass, leading another TD drive, and protecting the football. His strip-sack fumble was right tackle Isaiah Wynn’s fault, not much he could do there. The Patriots protected Zappe from himself by running the ball, but Zappe also made smart plays to avoid self-induced turnovers. For a fourth-round rookie who started the game as the backup, Zappe was a pleasant surprise.
DOWN: P Jake Bailey
Aug 12, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots punter Jake Bailey (7) punts the ball during the second half of a game against the Washington Football Team at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Bailey had one bad punt late in the fourth quarter, which very nearly led to a Rodgers touchdown pass. If his receiver can hold onto the ball, we’re talking about Bailey giving Rodgers too short of a field. Bailey also punted with 14 seconds left in the game at 24-24, and didn’t exactly shank it but didn’t cannon it over the returner either.
UP: OT Marcus Cannon
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 21: Marcus Cannon #61 of the New England Patriots in action against the New York Jets during their game at MetLife Stadium on October 21, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Cannon wasn’t even in a training camp over the summer. Now he’s possibly the new starting right tackle for the Patriots. The Patriots benched Isaiah Wynn for Cannon in the second half, except on plays that they used Cannon as an extra tight end. But Cannon was effective in both roles. Perhaps he still has something left in the tank. Considering Wynn’s struggles, that would be a huge development.
DOWN: LB Ja’Whaun Bentley
Oct 2, 2022; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) runs the ball against New England Patriots linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley (8) in the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/Appleton Post-Crescent-USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Bentley didn’t make nearly enough of an impact against the run, as the Packers averaged 5.7 yards per carry. He also appeared to get looked off the ball by Rodgers in coverage, on the Tonyan touchdown. When the backs and tight ends are making a lot of plays, there’s usually a problem with the inside linebackers.
UP: CB Marcus Jones
Jul 30, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive back Marcus Jones (52) walks to the practice field at the Patriots training camp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
The Patriots’ punter didn’t have his best day, but their punt returner looked pretty damn good. Jones returned two punts for an average of 24.5 yards, and also averaged 27.8 yards per kick return. Jones is an outstanding athlete with elite potential in the return game. He started to show glimpses of that at Lambeau.
DOWN: S Devin McCourty
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 02: Robert Tonyan #85 of the Green Bay Packers catches a pass for a touchdown against Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots during the third quarter at Lambeau Field on October 02, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
McCourty got beat by a tight end for a touchdown for the second straight week. It didn’t help that Rodgers looked off the Pats’ defenders at the second level to give Robert Tonyan a free lane to the end zone, but covering tight ends 1-on-1 has never been McCourty’s specialty. Opponents are taking advantage of that.
