Patriots show Bailey Zappe love after impressive debut vs. Packers

GREEN BAY -- Bailey Zappe witnessed Brian Hoyer walk off the field and head towards the blue medical tent at the Patriots sideline, to be evaluated for concussion. The coaching staff’s message at that point was simple, Zappe said later. 

"That’s football," he said. "Play ball."

After the Patriots' second offensive series ended with a Rashan Gary passsack that sent Hoyer to the Lambeau Field turf, Zappe was allowed to enter the game against the Packers. 

Zappe has been the team’s third-string quarterback since the start of training camp -- behind Hoyer and starter Mac Jones -- after being drafted in the fourth round out of Western Kentucky in the spring. Jones had been injured in the ankle and Jones was ruled out so Zappe played Sunday's first game in uniform. 

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New England's 27-24 loss in overtime wasn’t the ending for which Zappe hoped, but he acknowledged the weight of the moment after the fact. 

Zappe stated, "Ofcourse, it was exciting at the beginning." “It was a dream come true to play in an NFL game. It’s obviously not the outcome we wanted at all. First, I want to give credit my teammates. They kept me calm. They took the nerves out. They kept me calm, collected, and in my space. Everyone played well tonight. O-line performed well. We ran the ball well. It all comes down to me. I need to make more plays and the outcome’s different.”

The Patriots managed the game with Zappe behind them, relying on their running game for 167 yards on 33 runs. Zappe was able to keep the Patriots in the game, going 10-for-15 for 99 yard and a touchdown. 

“Proud of the way he competed, man,” center David Andrews said. “Went really quickly from probably thinking he wasn't playing much this year to being thrown in the mix in a pretty hostile environment against a really good defense. He was a great leader. He did a great job. There are still many things that we need to improve on. He was proud of his ability to compete.

“I wanna just give a huge shoutout to Zappe, man,” Patriots outside linebacker Matthew Judon said. “The way he stepped up in the game -- I don’t even believe he took that many reps with the [starters] -- the way he played and the poise he had. That’s amazing for a rookie.”

The highlight of Zappe’s day was a 25-yard play-action pass to DeVante Parker that went for a touchdown and gave the Patriots a 17-14 lead.

“He looked poised,” Kendrick Bourne said. “He looked ready to go. You never know what might happen. He is a proud man. He looked like a vet.

“I was kinda whispering to him during the week to be ready, you never know. His moment arrived, man. To play at Lambeau Field under a crazy crowd. That dude was just amazing, man. That was impressive, man.”

Hoyer left Green Bay on Sunday night with the Patriots. He left the locker room with his head down and a hood over his head. He came off the sideline and headed for the locker room in the first quarter with Patriots medical personnel and the “red hat” unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant.

Bill Belichick, who stated that Zappe competed well, explained after the game how the Patriots had an emergency quarterback option in the event Zappe was hurt. He didn't say who this emergency option was.

Bourne, who threw a 25-yard touchdown pass for the Patriots last season, said he was not “QB3” Sunday. 

“Nah, nah, nah,” he said. “That wasn't going to be me. I hope so. If it had been me, I would have been there throwing the ball everywhere. I don't know who QB3 was going to be.”

As Jones continues to deal with a high ankle sprain, it’s possible the Patriots turn to Zappe in Week 5 against the Lions. Based on his teammates’ reaction to his performance Sunday, they’ll have a level of confidence in Zappe that he earned against the Packers. 

“Very impressed,” Matthew Slater said. “For him to come in this situation, in this place, with all the mystique. Aaron Rodgers was on the other side of this field. He controlled the 'controllables, he stayed poised and did what was asked. It speaks volumes about Rodgers' professionalism and willingness to take on any challenge.

"This is his first active season. He doesn't hesitate to take on any situation. We are fortunate to have a man like him in this situation.”