The New England Patriots played their hardest but ultimately could not pull out a victory against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, losing 27-24 on a last-second overtime field goal in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Lambeau Field.
The biggest takeaway from the game? On any given Sunday, this Patriots team can scrape out a victory, despite whatever circumstances may be stacking the deck against them.
The Patriots came into the game already without starting quarterback Mac Jones, who reportedly suffered a high ankle sprain in last weekend’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Veteran backup Brian Hoyer started Sunday’s game against the Packers but was knocked out of the matchup late in the first quarter with a head injury, forcing rookie signal caller Bailey Zappe into his first career NFL appearance.
Zappe played admirably, making sure that he didn’t lose New England the game with any poor play. The matchup ultimately came down to a deflated Patriots defense trying to stop Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in overtime. In the end, the legendary QB was the victor.
Here are five takeaways from Sunday’s game.