Pigskin Optimism

Is it just me, or is everyone in New England feeling Zappe to have a QB controversy?

NOTE: I don't believe the rumor that every time someone makes a Zappe/Happy pun that a puppy and a duckling become unlikely best friends but you know….

Just in case...

Puppies. 

Ducklings. 

Come on, you heartless bastards! Get Zappe!

Okay. QB Controversies are always fun and we wouldn't be here without Bailey Zappe putting a 24/35/309/2/0 line in the box score and that was definitely a very good thing, but what was the absolute best thing about the Patriots 38-15 win over the Browns?

They were far from perfect…

You'd think Bill Belichick's favorite band was Cold Play with all the yellow hankies on the field. 12 penalties for -92 yards, and most of those of the self-inflicted variety. Hard to complain when your team puts 38 points on the board so I guess I'll just say, you're welcome, Cleveland. It could've been worse. At least 3 points worse as even Nick Folk Hero finally missed a FGA inside the 50.

Just saying the 2022 New England Patriots have not come close to touching their ceiling, yet.

The kids are all right…

Cole Strange is looking like a savvy first round pick. Tyquan Thorton is wicked fast. Jack and Marcus Jones stepping in and stepping up have me wanting a team of 22 guys named Jones (not easy for a guy named Smith). Also, anybody named for a character on "Party of Five." 

I'd also like to thank Brenden Schooler for the unintentional comedy in trying to give Bill Belichick the football he recovered on the muffed punt. The Jedi moment when Belichick realizes someone has disturbed the Force. The mix of incredulity, disdain, and anger (no, he wasn't just disappointed) that then flashed across Belichick's face. The moment Schooler realizes something is wrong; why isn't Bill happy? The assistant coach ushering Schooler away before Belichick could set him on fire using only the power of his mind. 14K comedy gold.

They weren't even at top strength…

I suppose this is true of all NFL teams from now till the end of the season but the Patriots played without Mac Jones (QB1). or Damien Harris (RB1), along with starter/contributors Lawrence Guy (DT), Nelson Agholor (WR), and Josh Uche (LB).

The Patriots ability to stop the Browns vaunted running game without Lawrence Guy in the middle (and after losing Christian Barmore in game to a knee injury) was that much more impressive.

The defense looked downright Belichickian…

The only touchdown they gave up was on a really remarkable throw and catch (which I grudgingly acknowledge along with the shame of having repeatedly screamed at my TV set "That's not a catch! That's not a catch!" like some psychotic parrot, possibly permanently damaging my vocal chords in the process). Nick Chubb is still leading the NFL in rushing, but that's after being held to just 56 yards on 12 carries on Sunday. Chubb was averaging 118.6 yards per game coming into the contest. (Seems statistically significant.) The New England defense forced Cleveland's offense to "play left-handed;" took away the run and put the ball in Jacoby Brissett's hands, who was kind enough to return the favor with 2 interceptions, 2 fumbles and 1 fumble lost.

You're saying there's a chance?

Yes. Yes, I am. The Patriots have dug themselves out of the hole and put their fate squarely in their own hands. They still have to play the games - and win - but the schedule sets them up to make a run with a winnable game next Monday night in Chicago, followed by Jets, Colts, Jets. Now, the Jets look as really real as any team in the NFL right now (and you don't know just how hard that was for me to say out loud in my head), and the Colts are a pigskin enigma wrapped in a gridiron riddle, but let's say the Patriots win at least 3 of the next 4 and then… 

Let's just say the absolute best thing about the Patriots 38-15 win over the Browns is being able to imagine New England winning at 3 of the next 4.

With a straight face.

Go Pats!