The Patriots had been all the way down to their third-string quarterback. They had been all the way down to rookie Bailey Zappe, who took over for injured backup Brian Hoyer within the first quarter.
That alone had catastrophe written throughout it.
Seriously? A rookie having to return on at Lambeau Field and play his first NFL snaps? And duel with Aaron Rodgers no much less?
Only, there was no catastrophe. There was no blowout, and no cause for the Patriots to hold their heads leaving the historic area.
Even in defeat, this was a formidable efficiency, because the Zappe-led Patriots valiantly hung in with the Packers at Lambeau Field, battling into extra time.
Yes, they misplaced, with Mason Crosby kicking the game-winner in extra time to provide the Packers a 27-24 win. And, they fell to 1-3 on the season, good for final place within the AFC East 4 video games in.
But we discovered a lot extra in regards to the Patriots in a dropping effort. There was truly lots to be inspired about as they go ahead with out Mac Jones (excessive ankle sprain) and probably Brian Hoyer (concussion).
What did we be taught?
The Patriots are robust. They’re resilient. They’re gutsy.
We discovered Bill Belichick nonetheless hasn’t misplaced his fastball. He nonetheless is aware of the way to coach, particularly beneath dire circumstances. We additionally found Matt Patricia is getting the cling of calling offense, particularly contemplating he needed to cope with having the backup to the backup within the recreation.
It’s onerous not giving Patricia props for a way he dealt with the state of affairs, and the way he deftly acquired the offense shifting towards an excellent protection with Zappe on the controls. Same with Belichick, who was with Zappe after each sequence. Ditto Joe Judge, who helped the rookie preserve his wits.
And the child quarterback ain’t too unhealthy, both. Zappe acquitted himself fairly effectively beneath the circumstances, finishing 10 of 15 passes for 99 yards and a landing.
The Patriots did their finest to will themselves to a victory, solely to return up quick. There was no disgrace in that.
Offensive captain David Andrews mentioned there was plenty of belief within the gamers in locker room, and plenty of belief within the coaches. And that confirmed within the efficiency.
“I can’t guarantee wins, but if we compete and work like we did out there today, the results will take care of themselves eventually,” Andrews mentioned following the loss. “You come in there, already down a quarterback, (and lose him) the second drive against a really good team … I think that says a lot about the team. A lot about the guys in that locker room.”
For a lot of the sport, the Patriots pummeled the Packers protection with their working recreation, beating them with bully ball with Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson, who mixed for 152 yards, working behind a decided offensive line. Kendrick Bourne additionally chipped in with a 15-yard run.
Defensively, in the meantime, they held Rodgers to 44 passing yards, with an interception — a pick-six by rookie Jack Jones — within the first half earlier than the veteran got here to life within the second half. Rodgers & Co. had been truly booed off the sphere at halftime by their trustworthy Cheeseheads.
Rodgers, nevertheless, confirmed why he’s nonetheless probably the greatest together with his efficiency within the second half. Belichick mentioned ultimately, he was “just too good” to beat.
“We couldn’t quite do enough,” mentioned Belichick. “I thought Bailey really competed well. A lot of guys competed well. We just came up a little short.”
At the outset, the Patriots weren’t speculated to win. They had been prohibitive underdogs. This was speculated to be a slaughter.
But they fought like loopy to tug off the upset. And Belichick and his employees coached their collective butts off to attempt to come away with a win.
Defensive captain Devin McCourty mentioned the Patriots made Rodgers and the Packers “fight for every yard.”
“We played tough,” McCourty mentioned. “I thought some of our young guys stepped up and played well, Marcus (Jones), Jack (Jones), Zap (Zappe). They were thrown in the fire. First time at Lambeau. I thought those guys definitely stepped up and played well. We just have to find ways to win these games.”
Moral victories are for losers, after all. As McCourty mentioned, it’s a “win-loss” league. You’re not measured for shut calls. But given who the Patriots had been lacking, given the adversity issue, it is a recreation that simply may propel them down the highway.
There’s lots to construct on after what went down in Green Bay, particularly wanting forward on the schedule, the place the Patriots are about to hit a positive stretch of video games.
“I’m proud of the way we fought, handled adversity,” mentioned Andrews, later including, “If you’re afraid to rise to the challenge, you’re in the wrong sport or profession.”
Zappe, the workforce’s 4th-round choose, was thrust into motion after Hoyer suffered a concussion after getting sacked on the ultimate play of the second sequence.
His first play beneath heart got here backed up on the Patriots’ 8-yard line. Zappe was poised, solely made one mistake fumbling on a sack, however allowed the Patriots to remain within the recreation.
“I thought he led us well. I thought he did a really good job,” mentioned Andrews. “Obviously, there’s some things we got to work on. But I’m proud of the way he competed, man.”
Matthew Judon, who was a ache in Rodgers’ butt all afternoon, mentioned it’s robust having so many guys play so effectively, however not be rewarded with a win.
“We gotta do something better,” he mentioned. “We gotta play better to win.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com