The Patriots came out of Green Bay 1-3 on the season following another defeat, but they sure didn’t go down without a fight. Here are the Ups & Downs from yesterday’s loss to the Packers.
Ups ⬆️
Jack Jones
The player of the game, without a doubt. What a debut start for Jones, he forced and recovered a fumble, then shocked Aaron Rodgers with a pick-6!
Not without allowing a few plays, but a fantastic performance by the rookie, showing that he certainly has a nose for the ball. I can’t wait to see how he progresses from here.
Bailey Zappe
What a debut game for the young kid, a week ago he was preparing to be the backup following the injury to Mac Jones, then, late in the first quarter Brian Hoyer leaves the game with a concussion, and in came the rookie.
Zappe looked calm in the pocket and finished his first-ever game 10/15, 99 YDS -1 TD.
The rookie didn’t play like a future Hall Of Famer, but he also didn’t get in the way of the Patriots winning, he did everything he could to try and get a result and earned a lot of well-deserved props for doing so.
He might get his first career start next week.
Damien Harris & Rhamondre Stevenson
The tandem backs had another solid outing, combing for 152 yards and a touchdown on the ground (Harris 86 YDS – 1 TD / Stevenson 66 YDS).
You could make an argument that Stevenson was the stronger runner on the day, but both were key to the success on the ground which really supplemented the team’s lack of experience at QB.
Matthew Judon
Another strong game for Mr Red Sleeves, Matt Judon. He was a troubling presence for Elgton Jenkins at RT for the Packers and picked up his 4th sack of the season as the defense really helped stall the Green Bay passing attack for large portions of the game.
A well-deserved place on the up list.
Marcus Jones
FINALLY, MARCUS JONES IS RETURNING KICKS. Our prayers were answered and you can see the rewards already with how Jones carries the ball and the threat he poses on return duty.
On his 4 kickoff returns, he averaged 27.2 yards per return with a long of 37, and 24.5 yards on the 2 punts he brought back, with a long of 29.
Downs ⬇️
Isaiah Wynn
This may well be it for Isaiah Wynn, he was benched for Marcus Cannon following missed blocks and more inexcusable penalties. One of the missed blocks was the hit that forced Hoyer out of the game with a concussion.
I hate to pile on a guy, but it’s been a slow decline of disappointment and this may be the straw that breaks the proverbial camel’s back for his future in New England.
Jonathan Jones
I felt it was a rough day in coverage for Jones yesterday on the few plays the Packers made in the passing game. Jones is the Pats’ starting corner, but against Allen Lazard, who is not an NFL star player, he gave up 6/116 YDS. He has to be better.
Run Defense
The defensive front let the Packers rush for just shy of 200 yards alone on the ground yesterday. Aaron Jones rushed for 110 yards himself at a little over 7 yards a carry.
The success on the run game really allowed a Packers team to keep within winning distance in a game they quite frankly deserved to lose. The defense as a whole wasn’t bad, but as a unit, these were.