Patch Patriots Roundup: Stevenson Next Up, Are You Zappe Now?

FOXBOROUGH, MA — Patriots fans, this game was supposed to be a real throwback. Modern football is typically defined by explosive passing offense, but, in Week 6, the Patriots are squaring off against the Cleveland Browns.

With Deshaun Watson still serving a suspension after 26 civil lawsuits were filed against him over the course of the past year, and with Mac Jones still injured, this game is likely to highlight the run.

That's exciting because this game should have featured what are likely two of the three best two-headed monsters coming out of the backfield (hat tip to Green Bay). Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt have for years been the most punishing backfield duo in football, but New England's young duo of Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson were making their case for the crown.

This matchup would have highlighted that as the Patriots were likely to play a conservative, run-heavy style featuring Harris and Stevenson. But Harris is out with a hamstring injury and expected to miss "multiple weeks", according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

Still, Stevenson has plenty of hype behind his potential with a full workload, just ask the fantasy football community.

Sunday's matchup is big for both teams, who hope to keep their season on pace without their starting quarterbacks. Here's what to know:

Are You Zappe Now?

Bailey Zappe and the Patriots offense blew out the Detroit Lions last Sunday. Zappe was efficient, completing 17 of 21 passes for just under 200 yards on the day. He threw one touchdown and one interception while the Patriots, essentially, let their running game and defense set the tone.

Running game? Defense? Conservative, steady quarterback play? Wait a second, are we sure that's not Mac Jones?

Jacoby Brissett Faces Off With The Team Who Drafted Him

When Patriots fans think about backup quarterbacks throughout the years, they typically think of the handsome devil currently leading the San Francisco 49ers. However peachy the memories of Jimmy Garoppolo are, those of the Patriots' opponent this weekend isn't much worse.

Jacoby Brissett, the current starter for Cleveland while Watson continues serving his 11-game suspension, was drafted by New England in 2016. Both he and Garoppolo spent time as the starter that year while Brady served his "Deflategate" suspension.

He started two games, leading the team to a win over the Texans in his best game as a starter.

Lauren Willand of NESN reported what Pats Head Coach Bill Belichick had to say about his former QB ahead of the matchup.

"He looks about the same. What do you think he’s gotten stronger or bigger? I don’t know but it’s well about the same,” Belichick said. "Jacoby looks like Jacoby. He’s a big kid with a strong arm. He’s tough and he’s smart. He does a good job with the system that they’re running. He does a good job with it and doesn’t turn the ball over. He gets some scramble yards and gets the ball to (Amari) Cooper, (Donovan) Peoples-Jones, (Kareem) Hunt. Obviously, (David) Njoku. So, he does a nice job of running the offense and scoring whatever it is 26 points a game. That’s part of the quarterback’s job to score points."

What's The Line

BetMGM has the Browns favored by two-and-a-half points.

Start Time And Where To Catch The Game

Your local CBS affiliate will carry the game, which kicks off at 1 p.m. on Sunday. In New England, 98.5 will carry the radio broadcast. For more information, click here.