Bailey Zappe throws first career touchdown ... but it shouldn't have counted

BOSTON -- As every viewer of NFL football knows, officials will always give offenses a second or so of leeway when the play clock hits zero. If the ball isn't snapped after that second, the flags typically fly for a delay of game penalty.

The Patriots -- with rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe under center -- found themselves the beneficiary of some added leeway on Sunday in Green Bay. And Zappe took full advantage.

On a first-and-15 from the Green Bay 25-yard line (following ... a delay of game penalty on the offense), Zappe took a snap long after the play clock had hit zero -- roughly two seconds later. Yet with no whistle, the play continued, with Zappe faking a handoff to Rhamondre Stevenson. Zappe then looked upfield, scanned his options, and found DeVante Parker streaking across the field. 

Zappe delivered a strike, and Parker made a catch at the 10-yard line before continuing on into the end zone.

The touchdown was the first of Zappe's career, and it gave the Patriots a 17-14 lead late in the third quarter. 

"It felt good, in that moment," the rookie said of his touchdown toss. "But once that moment was over, I was ready for the next play and get going."

Zappe was in the game because Brian Hoyer -- starting in place of the injured Mac Jones -- suffered a head injury at the end of the Patriots' second drive of the game.

While the touchdown was a moment to celebrate, it shouldn't have counted.

"You've gotta shut that down and call delay of game," CBS rules analyst and former NFL referee Gene Steratore said on the broadcast.

Of course, not every call is made, and some wrong calls are made, and that's just the nature of football -- and all sports. In this instance, Zappe made the play when given an opportunity, and he now has a rather memorable first career touchdown pass.

Zappe finished the game completing 10 of his 15 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown, with no interceptions, as the Patriots lost 27-24 in overtime.

"It was a dream come true to play in an NFL game. It's obviously not the outcome we wanted at all," Zappe said of making his NFL debut. "First, I give credit to my teammates. They kept me calm, they kept getting the nerves out of me. They kept me in my space; cool, calm and collected. 

"Everyone played well tonight. O-line played well. We ran the ball well. It really just comes down to me. I need to make more plays and the outcome's different," he added.

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