The momentum from the New England Patriots’ near victory over the Green Bay Packers was carried into their game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday. However, unlike their Week 4 road meeting with the Packers, they were able to finish the job and get the win this time around.
It was a special performance from the team with rookie backup quarterback Bailey Zappe making his first NFL start.
Not only was he taking the reins as the starter, but he was doing so at a time when the Patriots were staring at the possibility of falling to 1-4 on the season and having their team goals snuffed out.
And yet, they’re still alive with an opportunity to make a run in the lightest six-game stretch of their schedule. That goes without mentioning Mac Jones could be returning any week now.
Here are the winners and losers from Sunday’s game.