Bailey Zappe remained undefeated as an NFL starter as the fourth-round rookie led the Patriots to the efficient, mostly-controlled 38-15 win Sunday afternoon in Cleveland.
With Mac Jones once again sidelined to his ankle sprain – though the second-year starter was on the Patriots' sideline at FirstEnergy Stadium – Zappe led a New England offense that was actually paced by the passing game more than many expected going up the NFL’s 28th-ranked run defense.
New England led wire to wire, turning at 10-6 halftime edge into the relatively easy win on the road to improve to 3-3 on the season. Things did take an interesting turn in the fourth quarter with a Browns' onside kick attempt and near recovery, a Cleveland muffed punt and a Jacoby Brissett fumble that increased the scoring for the visitors.
Before turning the page to next week’s Monday Night battle with the Bears at Gillette Stadium, here’s a look at the various highs and lows from the win in Cleveland.
Thumbs up
Bailey Zappe – The feel-good story of the rookie passer continued in Cleveland as he won his second straight game and continued to evolve leading the New England passing attack. With less of a running game than he had a week earlier against the Lions or than what New England was expected to have against the Browns, Zappe shouldered more of the offensive production. He completed 24 of 34 passes for 309 yards with a pair of touchdown throws and no interceptions for a 118.4 passer rating. Each week the fourth-round pick looks more comfortable and puts forth a better performance.
Kyle Dugger – A week after his game-changing fumble for a return touchdown against the Lions, Dugger quickly got back into the playmaking early in Cleveland with an interception of Jacoby Brissett on the opening series. Dugger had perfect coverage of backup tight end Pharaoh Brown, undercutting the route for the takeaway. Dugger was also extremely active overall, piling up eight tackles by halftime.
Rhamondre Stevenson – With Damien Harris unable to play after testing his injured hamstring prior to the game, Stevenson capably served as New England’s lead back yet again in Cleveland. After his 161 yards against the Lions, Stevenson had 10 carries for 52 yards in the first half against the Browns including the key play of the half – his 31-yard touchdown. Though he looked fatiqued by his increased workload at times, Stevenson shouldered the load to the tune of 19 carries for 76 yards and two touchdowns along with four catches for 15 yards.
Bill Belichick – New England’s head coach moved into a tie with George Halas for second on the NFL’s all-time wins list with his 324th career victory (regular and postseason) in Cleveland, where he got his first head-coaching job back in 1990. Belichick’s acumen and game plans have been on full display in recent weeks, drawing up dominant defensive game plans while guiding Zappe through his first career starts. The 70-year-old coach may be closer to the end of his career than the beginning, but Belichick is still doing his job at a high level as he looks to rewrite the record books.
Hunter Henry -- After a quiet start to the season the veteran tight end has come on in recent weeks coinciding with Zappe's playing time. Henry had four catches for 54 yard against the Lions and followed that up in Cleveland with four more caches for 61 yards including a 31-yard touchdown reception.
Thumbs down
Isaiah Wynn – Death, taxes and Wynn’s weekly penalties. The New England right tackle had his league-leading seventh penalty of the season with a false start on third-and-2 from the Cleveland 6 in the first quarter. The Patriots were bailed out by a pass interference penalty on the Browns on the next snap, but the pre-snap penalty was inexcusable. Wynn added to his tough first quarter when he got beat for a strip sack by Myles Garrett. Wynn has actually been responsible for two of Zappe's turnovers over the last three weeks. Wynn just hasn’t been comfortable or good in his transition to right tackle, allowing too many sacks and logging too many penalties. His hold on the tackle job is tenuous at best with Marcus Cannon lurking in the shadows, taking over for Wynn in a reserve role for the second straight week. Sooner or later Cannon will take the starting job that Wynn is doing his best to give away.
Health – With Mac Jones inactive yet again, the Patriots were without a long list of starters in Cleveland that included Damien Harris, Jonathan Jones, Lawrence Guy and Nelson Agholor. The group of injured key contributors grew during the action against the Browns when Christian Barmore went to the locker room with a knee injury, while Kendrick Bourne was sidelined with a toe issue.
Penalties – New England had a season high with eight penalties before halftime and finished the win with a total of 12 penalties for 92 yards. They came in all phases and of all types. False starts, holding, delay of game, intentional grounding, pass interference…it was all there, likely much to Belichick’s chagrin.
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