Best Of Social Media Week 5: Lions vs Patriots

The New England Patriots returned home on Sunday looking to snap a two-game losing streak. Rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe was back under center as Mac Jones continues to recover from an ankle injury.

Heading into the contest, it was Bill Belichick’s 400th game as the head coach of the Patriots, the fourth in NFL history to reach this number with one franchise. The game also marked the long-awaited return of the classic home red uniforms the Patriots originally wore from 1960-1992 featuring “Pat Patriot” on the helmets.

Zappe put together another solid fill-in performance leading the offense, completing 17/21 passes (80.1%) for 188 yards and his first career NFL touchdown pass.

“He was confident out there,” Belichick said of Zappe. “He does a good job of seeing the game, can come off and articulate what he saw. And he’s usually right.”

As for the rest of the offense, running back Rhamondre Stevenson was a beast, logging a career-high 161 yards on the ground on 25 carries, the most by any Patriot in a single game since Jonas Gray ran for 201 yards against the Indianapolis Colts in 2014. Jakobi Meyers led all receivers with seven receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown.

The most important takeaway on offense from Sunday was how invaluable Nick Folk continues to be on special teams. During Sunday’s game, Folk tied a career-high with five field goals and extended his NFL record to 63 successful kicks in a row under 50 yards.

Lastly, the Patriots’ defense put together their most impressive showing of the 2022 season by recording the first Gillette Stadium shutout victory since 2016 against a Lions offense that ranked first in the NFL with 35.0 points and 435 yards per game.

Leading the way was linebacker Matthew Judon, who became the first Patriot to record at least one sack in the first five games of a season. Judon’s pressure led to a scoop and score fumble touchdown by Kyle Dugger in the second quarter. On Wednesday, Judon was named the AFC’s Defensive Player of The Week.

“Honestly, we just executed,” Judon said when asked about the success of the defense. “I think going through those two games, if you look, it was just one person here, one person there. Today we just executed and every man was one of 11 and did his job.”

You can check out all the best social media moments from the Patriots’ 29-0 win below.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CjfvzFOv-uC/?hl=en

Gorgeous. #ForeverNE pic.twitter.com/CgXp5eRFly

— Bob Socci (@BobSocci) October 9, 2022

Several hours before today’s game, Nick Folk visualized and acted out his first field goal of the day. Then he put his uniform on and kicked 5 more against the Lions. #ForeverNE pic.twitter.com/Jvnp2DTJEP

— Bob Socci (@BobSocci) October 9, 2022

Great sign near the visitors tunnel for today’s game #ZappeHour pic.twitter.com/VHeVBvpP4W

— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) October 9, 2022

Waiting all week for this.@McCourtyTwins | #ForeverNE pic.twitter.com/YEoxfXwfEO

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 9, 2022

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1579163353091641355?s=20&t=YOiVyF6wV-0pWf4iIBx_Cw

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1579164429484232704?s=20&t=YOiVyF6wV-0pWf4iIBx_Cw

The Patriots @man_dammn becomes the first Patriots player with a sack in the first five games of a season.

— The Hall presented by RTX (@TheHall) October 9, 2022

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1579173560723144708?s=20&t=YOiVyF6wV-0pWf4iIBx_Cw

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1579178769335582721?s=20&t=YOiVyF6wV-0pWf4iIBx_Cw

Fantastic shot from Providence Journal photog Bob Breidenbach of Kyle Dugger's scoop-and-score. pic.twitter.com/E4DZkYvsCk

— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) October 10, 2022

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1579578013959741449?s=20&t=xD7DT60LvcZ6r7sLHZL2yA

https://twitter.com/Edelman11/status/1579186811964100608?s=20&t=YOiVyF6wV-0pWf4iIBx_Cw

Big Al! pic.twitter.com/NsDaiZuNSX

— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) October 9, 2022

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1579187919654371331?s=20&t=YOiVyF6wV-0pWf4iIBx_Cw

Jakobi Meyers

Finally has more TD receptions than TD passes in his career

TD receptions: 3
TD passes: 2

— Boston Sports Info (@bostonsportsinf) October 9, 2022

pic.twitter.com/5EA7iNqnpa

— Joe Giza (@JoeGiza) October 9, 2022

The Patriots' last home shutout was 2016, Week 3, against the Texans when then-rookie Jacoby Brissett was making his first career start at QB.

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) October 9, 2022

A "Zap-pe, Zap-pe" chant has broken out at Gillette. #Patriots

— Jim McBride (@globejimmcbride) October 9, 2022

The Patriots in games started by a healthy rookie 3rd string QB under Bill Belichick are 2-0, outscoring opponents 56-0.

— Matt St. Jean (@mattstdream) October 9, 2022

Pats back on track. Bill has that defense flying around, getting penetration, gang tackling. Good to see.

— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) October 9, 2022

Bailey Zappe celebrates his first NFL start and win. A dominant defense helped as the Pats blanked the Lions 29-0. pic.twitter.com/gIomepguee

— The Camera Guys (@NBCSCameraGuys) October 9, 2022

“Zappe, Zappe!” pic.twitter.com/90xazo8p6C

— Nicole Lynn (@AgentNicoleLynn) October 9, 2022

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1579205754661257217?s=20&t=YOiVyF6wV-0pWf4iIBx_Cw

Got the dub in red.@man_dammn | #ForeverNE pic.twitter.com/RDwiz0K9t9

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 9, 2022

“Defense pitched a shutout, O-line played really well, receivers played well, it was a team effort today.”

Patriots players on today’s victory against the Lions. pic.twitter.com/7xGGjlvSyG

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 9, 2022

One more nugget that adds context to the Patriots' defensive performance, via @EliasSports: The Lions' 0-for-6 showing on 4th down was the worst by any team in a game over the last 45 seasons. https://t.co/T3VmdkYCNL

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) October 9, 2022