Zappe completed 24 of 34 passes for 309 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Patriots' 38-15 win over the Browns on Sunday. He also netted minus-4 yards on three rushes and lost a fumble.

EDGE Analysis

The rookie's remarkable starting run continued in fine fashion Sunday, with Zappe setting new career highs in completions, pass attempts, passing yards and touchdown passes. Zappe's one turnover came on a strip sack by Myles Garrett late in the first quarter in New England territory, but the Patriots defense was subsequently up to the task by turning the Browns over on downs in the ensuing possession. Zappe's tenure under center may be coming to an end for now with Mac Jones (ankle) ostensibly having a good chance of returning for a Week 7 Monday night home battle against the Bears, but he's arguably shown enough to perhaps keep the No. 2 job even when Brian Hoyer (IR-concussion) is healthy enough to return.

Zappe will start at quarterback for the Patriots in Sunday's game against the Browns, with Mac Jones (ankle) inactive, Evan Lazar of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

In the Patriots' 29-0 win over the Lions last weekend, Zappe completed 17 of 21 passes for 188 yards with one TD and a pick. In his second straight start, the 2022 fourth-rounder is a speculative fantasy play, though he is an option for those who might otherwise rely on Jones, are in need of a bye week plug-in or who could use some short-term depth in QB-heavy formats.

Zappe is expected to start Sunday's game in Cleveland with top quarterback Mac Jones (ankle) listed as questionable but considered highly unlikely to play, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

EDGE Analysis

Clarification on the Patriots' plans at quarterback won't officially arrive until the team releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to the 1 p.m. ET kickoff, but unless Jones checks out better than anticipated during pregame warmups, Zappe will pick up his second straight start. The Patriots' decision to elevate another quarterback in Garrett Gilbert from the practice squad Saturday already signaled that Jones is trending toward missing a third straight contest despite the fact that Jones practiced in a limited fashion this week. Gilbert should serve as the backup behind Zappe, who completed 17 of 21 attempts for 188 yards, a touchdown and an interception in his first NFL start last week in the Patriots' 29-0 win over the Lions.

Zappe completed 17 of 21 passes for 188 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the Patriots' 29-0 win over the Lions on Sunday. He also rushed five times for five yards and committed a fumble recovered by New England.

EDGE Analysis

The rookie had acquitted himself well in emergency duty against the Packers in Week 4, and he put together another competent, game-manager-like performance Sunday in which he had the luxury of leaning heavily on his running game. Zappe did his part by limiting his turnovers as well and not taking any sacks, and he connected with Jakobi Meyers for a nifty 24-yard touchdown toss in the third quarter. Mac Jones (ankle) could reportedly return in Week 6 to face the Browns on the road, but Zappe now has some game reps under his belt and therefore would have a chance to keep the Patriots afloat in a favorable matchup if he had to draw a second straight start.

Zappe will start at quarterback for the Patriots in Sunday's game against the Lions with Mac Jones (ankle) inactive for the contest.

EDGE Analysis

Jones was also out in Week 4 against the Packers, and after veteran backup Brian Hoyer (who is now on IR) was forced out of last Sunday's contest with a concussion at the end of New England's second offensive series, Zappe stepped and completed 10 of 15 passing attempts for 99 yards with one touchdown. This time around, Zappe was able to gear up for the assignment, and the 2022 fourth-rounder offers a Week 5 fantasy alternative to those who roster Jones or are in QB-heavy leagues.

With Mac Jones (ankle) listed as doubtful, Zappe is trending toward starting Sunday's game against the Lions, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Given that Brian Hoyer (concussion) is on IR, Zappe will draw the start Sunday if Jones can't, with Garrett Gilbert a candidate to be elevated from the practice squad to serve as his backup. If Zappe does indeed make his first regular-season NFL start this weekend, he'd be a speculative option in most fantasy formats, but he does offer an option to those who roster Jones or are in QB-heavy leagues.

Zappe replaced Brian Hoyer (head) in the first quarter of Sunday's game versus the Packers and completed 10 of 15 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown but lost a fumble in a 27-24 overtime loss.

EDGE Analysis

Zappe entered the game for New England's third offensive drive, making his NFL debut at Lambeau Field. Although the Patriots initially struggled to move the ball and Zappe was stripped while being sacked prior to halftime, the fourth-rounder was more settled in the second half. In fact, with a 25-yard score to DeVante Parker, Zappe became the first rookie quarterback to throw a touchdown pass this season. Although that play could've been blown dead for delay of game, Zappe still helped his team push for an improbable victory in unexpected circumstances, acquitting himself nicely overall. Ahead of Week 5's game versus the Lions, though, Zappe may play only if both Mac Jones (ankle) and Hoyer (head) remain sidelined.

Zappe is likely to see a good share of snaps under center in New England's preseason opener Thursday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

ESPN's Mike Reiss already noted Tuesday that he'd be surprised, based on how practice unfolded that day, if starting signal-caller Mac Jones played at all Thursday. If Jones does indeed sit out, it would leave Brian Hoyer and Zappe as the Patriots' only two options at quarterback. It's safe to say Coach Bill Belichick knows what he has in Hoyer, who has already spent seven of his 14 seasons in the NFL with the Pats. Zappe's ability, on the other hand, is largely unknown at this point, so it would make sense if Belichick opted early in the game to see what he has to work with in the rookie from Western Kentucky rather than give mostly meaningless snaps to Hoyer.

The Patriots selected Zappe in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 137th overall.

EDGE Analysis

Zappe spent four years at Houston Baptist of the FCS before transferring to Western Kentucky for 2021. He put together a historic season for as a senior, as he threw for 5,967 yards and an FBS-record 62 touchdowns, a record that was previously held by Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (60). Of course, Zappe did it against Conference USA competition while Burrow did it in the SEC, but the production is convincing nonetheless. Zappe probably lacks the arm strength and athleticism to be a difference-maker under center. However, he has the intelligence and touch to potentially be a steady game manager if he's ever thrust into NFL action. He'll first need to beat out Brian Hoyer and/or Jarrett Stidham to be 2021 first-round pick Mac Jones' backup.