Patriots vs. Packers: New England falls to Green Bay 27-24 in overtime

Oct 2, 2022 - 11:49 PM

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The New England Patriots dropped their Week 4 matchup against the Green Bay Packers 27-24. Down a handful of starters — including quarterback Mac Jones — the Patriots lost quarterback Brian Hoyer in the first quarter which thrusted rookie Bailey Zappe into action.

With Zappe under center, the Patriots were able to take Green Bay to overtime, but Aaron Rodgers and the Packers proved to be too much.

Final Score: Patriots (1-3) 24 : 27 Packers (3-1)

October 2, 4:25 p.m. ET | Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI | Broadcast Information | Inactives

First quarter

The Packers won the coin toss and deferred, putting Brian Hoyer and the Patriots offense on the field to begin the day. New England’s opening script started strong with Damien Harris finding room on the ground and a designed screen to Kendrick Bourne. Hoyer then found Nelson Agholor for a 27-yard gain before the drive stalled. Nick Folk connected on a 37-yard field goal to give New England an early lead. [Patriots 3 : 0 Packers]

Green Bay got off to a fast start, as Aaron Rodgers found Allen Lazard on a quick slant for a 24-yard catch and run. Rodgers next pass went to rookie receiver Romeo Doubs, but cornerback Jack Jones was able to punch the ball loose and recover.

New England relied on their running back duo after the turnover, finding Harris and Stevenson on the ground and through the air. A third-down sack by Rashan Gary - who beat right tackle Isaiah Wynn - forced a Jake Bailey punt.

The Packers then turned to their dynamic running back duo, as Aaron Jones broke off a 20-yard run, which Mack Wilson Sr. was flagged for a face mask to add 15 more yards. New England’s defense then dominated the line of scrimmage, highlighted by a third-down sack by Matthew Judon.

Injury Report: Patriots QB Brian Hoyer headed to the locker room and is being evaluated for a head injury.

With Hoyer in the locker room, the Bailey Zappe era officially began. Starting at the New England eight-yard line, Isaiah Wynn was flagged for a false start and then an offensive holding to back the Patriots up even further. After a pair of Damien Harris runs, Zappe’s first career pass on third-down fell incomplete.

Second quarter

Injury Update: Patriots QB Brian Hoyer (head) was downgraded to out.

Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon got back to work for Green Bay, combining for 40 yards on five touches. Green Bay then struck on a 15-yard run by wide receiver Christian Watson for a touchdown. [Patriots 3 : 7 Packers]

The Patriots dialed up back-to-back RPOs to start their next drive. One worked, as Zappe completed his first career pass to Lil’Jordan Humphrey for a nine-yard gain, and one didn't (two-yard loss to Nelson Agholor). A then drop by Agholor and run stuff by Quay Walker helped lead to an eventual New England punt.

Looking to extend their lead, Aaron Rodgers threw just his fourth and fifth passes of the day - both falling incomplete down field. Green Bay was forced to punt after a three-and-out.

New England dialed up the creativity on their next drive, breaking off a 15-yard run by Kendrick Bourne on a reverse. That was all the success for the offense, as Zappe’s third down pass to Hunter Henry for seven yards came up short of the sticks.

The Patriots defense continued to make things difficult for Rodgers on their next drive. Pressures from Anfernee Jennings and Matt Judon on back-to-back plays forced incompletions and a Green Bay punt.

Injury Report: Patriots TE Jonnu Smith (ankle) is questionable to return.

After a 29-yard punt return by Marcus Jones, the Patriots offense started their next drive on the 50-yard line. From there, they leaned on Rhamondre Stevenson who piled up 28 yards on four straight plays. With one minute remaining in the half, Rashan Gary beat Isaiah Wynn for a sack, forcing and recovery a fumble in the process.

Following the turnover, the Patriots defense got one of their own. Looking for Allen Lazard, Jack Jones jumped the route and picked it off. With daylight in front of him, Jones took it 40 yards for a pick-six. [Patriots 10 : 7 Packers]

With seven seconds remaining, Rodgers threw a quick pass to Allen Lazard which ended the first half.

Third quarter

Green Bay’s offense finally found a big play through the air, as Rodgers threw a beautifully thrown ball down the right sideline to Allen Lazard for a 32-yard gain. The big play kickstarted a 10 play, 81-yard drive that ended with a bullet to Robert Tonyan for a 20-yard score. [Patriots 10 : 14 Packers]

In their first drive of the second half, Zappe completed his first pass to Kendrick Bourne for a 16-yard gain. Moving the ball effectively with Damien Harris on the ground, Zappe then floated a ball to DeVante Parker for a 25-yard score - marking the quarterbacks first career touchdown pass. [Patriots 17 : 14 Packers]

Injury Update: Patriots TE Jonnu Smith is downgraded to out.

Green Bay started their next drive fast, as Rodgers hit Romeo Doubs for a 16-yard catch and run before Aaron Jones broke off gains of nine- and eight-yards on the ground. Rodgers then found Lazard for a 19-yard gain, before settling for a 38-yard field goal. [Patriots 17 : 17 Packers]

Fourth quarter

It was another strong return from Marcus Jones to start the next drive, setting the Patriots offense up at the New England 35-yard line. From there, they leaned on Stevenson who picked up 36 yards on four straight carries. Zappe then connected with Agholor on a play-action pass for a 21-yard gain. Two plays later, Damien Harris found the end zone from five yards out. [Patriots 24 : 17 Packers]

Green Bay’s offense struck on an opening third down, as Rodgers found Randall Cobb for a 23-yard gain into New England territory. After A.J. Dillon picked up a combined 24 yards on back-to-back plays, Rodgers took advantage of a 1-on-1 matchup finding Doubs for a 13-yard touchdown over Jonathan Jones. [Patriots 24 : 24 Packers]

With just over six minutes remaining, the Patriots offense was held scoreless for the first time this half. A second down sack set up a third-and-15 leading to an eventual punt.

Looking for the go ahead score, a Myles Bryant pass interference on third down moved the chains for Green Bay. On the following third down, Rodgers went for the kill shot to Doubs down the right sideline. While it appeared the rookie hauled it in, Doubs lost possession going to the ground for an incomplete pass. Green Bay punted back to New England downing it at the two-yard line.

Backed up with just under two minutes, New England ran three straight times but did not pick up a first down. With the clock down to 14 seconds, Bailey punted back to Green Bay - who was also flagged with a block in the back penalty.

At the Green Bay 42-yard line with four seconds left, Rodgers quick pass to Randall Cobb ended the quarter.

Overtime

Green Bay got the ball first in overtime, but found no success. A third down pressure by Matthew Judon and Christian Barmore forced an incompletion and punt.

New England failed to move the ball during their first drive of overtime. A pair of runs by Damien Harris and incompletion on third down led to a punt.

With just under seven minutes remaining in overtime, Rodgers found Lazard for 22 yards then Cobb for 11 three plays later to move the ball across midfield. Back-to-back quick strikes to Doubs picked up an additional 17 yards to get into field goal range. The Packers went back to the ground to run out the clock and set up a 31-yard game winning field goal. [Patriots 24 : 27 Packers]