NFL
By: Steve Atkinson
The Patriots playing the Browns Sunday is like playing the Detroit Lions just in a different location. It doesn’t matter who is playing quarterback Sunday Zappe or Jones they should still win the game. The Browns are still the Browns. Undisciplined like the Lions and Brissett is more of a bad quarterback than Jared Goff is. The way Matt Judon and the defense played last week I expect the same this week. Again, regardless of who’s quarterback. Zappe won’t be a factor in this game he will be a game manager like last week and have zero turnovers.
Bailey Zappe Starts Sunday
As for Mac Jones, I don’t blame him for being pissed. The Patriots made defensive coaches offensive coaches in Matt Patricia and Joe Judge. Then, the Patriots try this new offense that doesn’t work in training camp and the preseason. Jones then is getting killed in the beginning part of the year because the offensive line isn’t up to the way it should be. He gets hurt then Hoyer gets hurt in the Green Bay game which has everyone saying Zappe is the next Tom Brady. He managed the game well in Green Bay and Detroit. Do people realize that this part of the schedule is easy for them? They should win the next five games because the competition is so bad. It doesn’t matter who the quarterback is.
When Jones comes back, he will be stronger and better. He will probably have a chip on his shoulder and win some games. But this Sunday I think they start Zappe. The game against the Browns should be a blowout by the Patriots. It’s dumb that Cleveland is even favored. They have zero shot. Here is what Belichick said yesterday at his press conference about the Browns.
“Their fundamentals and techniques are very good. We had trouble with them last year. Everybody has trouble with them. There’s a lot of talent up front [Jedrick] Wills Jr., and [Joel] Bitonio of course. [Ethan] Pocic replaced [J.C] Tretter at center and he’s got a lot of experience. [Wyatt] Teller, [Jack] Conklin, guys that have been All-Pros, All-Rookie, Pro Bowls, you name it. It’s just a really good group that again really knows what they’re doing and are talented. There’s some good receivers. Obviously, [Amari] Cooper another very high-profile player. [David] Njoku a productive tight end. After Ozzie [Newsome] probably the best tight end the Browns have ever had, which that’s saying something. [Donovan] Peoples-Jones and good skill players. Obviously [Nick] Chubb is as good as anybody we’ll see and then [Kareem] Hunt. They’ve got a lot of backs and they’re all good. But [Nick] Chubb, he’s tough. Jacoby [Brissett] is playing well. He’s a big strong kid that compliments their offense. Again, this is 200 yards a game rushing and 26 points a game or whatever they’re scoring. They can move the ball. They can score points. They can control the clock. They can keep their defense off the field. Again, they are extremely well coached and very good fundamentally. Defensively it’s really one word, fast.”
Overall, the Patriots will get one more week of Zappe fever before Mac takes over a week from Monday night against the awful Bears and the return of N’Keak Harry. As for now, it’s all about beating the Browns on Sunday. I expect Jakobi Meyers will play, and Stevenson will have a good game. I think Judon has a few sacks and Jack Jones has another interception. The Patriots will win the game 24-10. Then that gives Jones extra time to get ready for the Bears game on Monday night football.
