Who was better vs. Browns: Patriots defense or Bailey Zappe? (Report cards)

The New England Patriots went to Cleveland as a sub-.500 team. They left by looking like the better team following their 38-15 win over the Browns.

Bailey Zappe went over 300 yards as he and the Patriots offense cruised on the day. Meanwhile, the defense shut down old friend Jacoby Brissett, keeping Cleveland out of the end zone until midway through the fourth quarter.

Who played the best in Sundays big win? Lets hand out some grades. Enter your email address here to receive MassLive’s Patriots newsletter every Monday and Friday.
      

Quarterback

(Stats: 24-of-34, 309 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs, 118.4 passer rating)

If this winds up being the rookies final start before Mac Jones returns to the lineup, its a heck of a way to go out.

Zappe was calm and poised as he navigated the offense Sunday. He made some big-time throws and did a lot of damage off of play action. But more than anything, he really looked confident beyond his years out there.

Zappe did a great job reading the Cleveland defense and hitting open receivers, especially when it came to getting the tight ends involved.

There were a couple of trouble spots. He was strip-sacked after a rough play by Isaiah Wynn. He also airmailed a couple of passes in the second quarter.

He also had a hiccup in the teams first red zone trip. He hesitated in getting the ball to a wide-open Hunter Henry on 3rd-and-goal. By the time Zappe found him, Henry had been pushed out of bounds.

Overall, what a showing by the rookie.

Grade: B+

Running Back

Everyone in the stadium knew that the offense was going to run through Rhamondre Stevenson on Sunday. He still took 19 carries for 76 yards and two touchdowns.

Stevenson, who also had four catches for 15 yards, did an excellent job grinding out yards when the team needed him most. His best play of the day came when he cut to the outside and jetted for a 31-yard run to score the first touchdown of the game.

Stevenson was the run threat that made everything else in the Patriots offense work.

Grade: B

Wide receiver

After so many years of good-not-great receiver play over the years, the Patriots got some spectacular highlights from the position on Sunday.

The biggest gem was DeVante Parkers brilliant leaping grab over a defender for 29 yards on the opening drive to move the chains on 3rd-and-9. Thats exactly the type of play the Patriots were hoping for when they traded for Parker.

Meanwhile, rookie Tyquan Thornton had a breakout showing. He caught four passes for 37 yards, including his first career NFL touchdown. He also ran for another score on a jet sweep to put the game away.

Jakobi Meyers was back in action and remains the teams most consistent receiver. He did some damage with his route running, going for four receptions for 60 yards.

Grade: BRELATED: Interested in sports betting? Sign up for news, advice and promos with our free newsletter

Tight End

The tight ends are an integral part of the Patriots offense once again. Hunter Henry had his best game of the year, catching four passes for 61 yards and a score. He was a significant presence in the red zone. Although, his biggest play came on a busted coverage.

Meanwhile, Jonnu Smith had the biggest play of his Patriots career so far, catching a seam pass and busting through tackles for a 53-yard gain.

Sundays game had some highlight reel plays from this position. Now, they just need to contribute more consistently.

Grade: B

Offensive Line

Overall, this was a solid performance. The pass blocking was generally good and there was sufficient push in the running game. For long stretches, the front five did its job and had the offense clicking.

But, oh boy, there were issues.

The biggest miscue was right tackle Isaiah Wynn getting smoked by Myles Garrett for a strip-sack of Zappe. Left tackle Trent Brown also was burned by Garrett for a sack later in the game.

However, those sacks — and one QB hit by Tommy Togiai — were the only hits recorded on Zappe.

The Patriots also had some issues with penalties. Brown and Wynn both got dinged with false starts on the opening drive.

Even so, this was a solid performance overall — especially from the interior trio of David Andrews, Cole Strange and Mike Onwenu.

Grade: B

Defensive Line

The Patriots limited the NFLs leading rusher Nick Chubb to just 56 yards on 12 carries. His 4.7 yards per carry Sunday werent ideal. However, thats a big improvement over the 6.1 Chubb has been averaging so far this season.

The run defense was consistent throughout the day and started out with a bang. Christian Barmore led a strong push up front to stuff a QB sneak attempt by Jacoby Brissett on 4th-and-short.

This was a big showing overall for this group. Deatrich Wise logged a sack, as did Davon Godchaux. Meanwhile, Carl Davis hopped on a loose ball and almost scored a touchdown after Brissetts fumble.

Grade: B

Linebacker

This group was a lot more than just Matthew Judon today (although he did record a tackle for loss and a QB hit). Mack Wilson and Anfernee Jennings combined for a sack on the day as this group showed they had some solid depth to rotate players in and out throughout the day.

Grade: B-

Secondary

Kyle Dugger showed that he can be a ball hawk in addition to a big hitter. He led the team with eight sacks and also had two pass breakups, including an early interception.

Jalen Mills came up with a pick of his own later on in the game, making a great play off a deflection.

Rookie Marcus Jones almost added a pick of his own, showing great coverage on third down. Jones made the catch, but couldnt stay in bounds.

This group was smothering in coverage all game, limiting Brissett to under 50% passing (21-of-45).

Grade: A-

Special Teams

The Patriots pounced on another muffed punt for a turnover that really iced things in this one. The punt game was solid overall, with Jake Bailey pinning three of his four kicks inside the 20.

Marcus Jones had another solid day on punt returns, averaging 11.7 yards on three returns.

There was a rare miscue from Nick Folk, who snapped his record-breaking streak of kicks made inside the 50. He went 1-of-2 on field goals and 5-of-5 on extra points.

The one downside: This group dodged a bullet when A.J. Green touched the ball out of bounds on an onside kick. Otherwise, that would have been a clean recovery for Cleveland.

Grade: B