Bailey Zappe has been in this situation before, but the circumstances were different the last time he prepared to start an NFL game.
Back in 2022, when he was a rookie fourth-round quarterback coming out of Western Kentucky, the New England Patriots relied on him in two games. With both starter Mac Jones and designated backup Brian Hoyer out with injury, Zappe was elevated to the starting lineup and actually performed admirably.
New England won both of the games he started in rather comfortable fashion, beating the Detroit Lions 29-0 and the Cleveland Browns 38-15 (which actually is the last time a Patriots team scored more than 30 points in a single game).