Patriots Ups & Downs: Pats hang with Cowboys, but can’t close

Author Matt Dolloff

October 17th, 2021 10:30 PM

In the end, the more talented team won on pure talent.

The Dallas Cowboys are 5-1 after the Patriots took them to the brink in an overtime thriller and a “game of the year” candidate in Foxborough. They got the W in overtime after Dak Prescott escaped the pocket and found wide receiver CeeDee Lamb open down the field. It was not the first time that happened.

Despite the Patriots’ egregious defensive breakdowns on two pivotal plays at the end of the game – Lamb’s walk-off touchdown, and a 24-yard gain on third-and-25 that set up Greg Zuerlein’s game-tying field goal – the defense made a number of massive plays to keep the game competitive. The same can be said for the offense, particularly in the fourth quarter.

Quarterback Mac Jones will be left out of this week’s Ups & Downs. He did post a 118.9 passer rating and showed incredible resilience to follow up a pick-six with a 75-yard touchdown pass that gave the Patriots a temporary lead. But you can call the rookie “neutral” in this one, overall.

Here are the full Ups & Downs from a thrilling game, but a heartbreaking loss for the Patriots…

• UP: WR Kendrick Bourne

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  Sure, coverage bust by Cowboys safety Damontae Kazee. But Bourne deserves a lot of credit for making the catch through a pair of defenders and finishing off a stunning 75-yard score that had a chance to be the game-winner. It was his only catch of the game, but it was by far the biggest and best offensive play of the day for the Pats.

• DOWN: CB Jalen Mills

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  Mills was in coverage on both the third-and-25 catch and the overtime touchdown by Lamb. The Patriots’ cornerback depth was sure to be tested in this game, and Lamb made them pay on numerous occasions. Lamb finished with a monster line: nine catches, 149 yards, two TDs, including a walk-off score. Mills was the major culprit in that.

• UP: LB Ja’Whaun Bentley

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  If the Patriots ended up winning, Bentley may have arguably earned credit for the single biggest play of the game. Facing a fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line, Dak Prescott went up with the ball to try and reach it over the goal line. Bentley hit him with a flying fist to the hand, knocking the ball loose before it crossed the plane. The turnover didn’t lead to points, as the Patriots kneed the clock out before halftime. But it was a huge play at the time.
• DOWN: OT Yodny Cajuste

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  A step back for the third-year pro, who is essentially in his rookie season after playing for just the second time in his career. Cajuste allowed star pass rusher Randy Gregory to blow by him for a strip-sack on Mac Jones, and that got him benched for the rest of the game. Cajuste has shown promise in the limited time he’s had to play this season, but he’s probably not ready to defend talented edge rushers 1-on-1.

• UP: DB Justin Bethel

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  Kyle Dugger made his first career interception on a Prescott pass attempt in the end zone, but Bethel made the play. On a slightly errant pass intended for Cedrick Wilson, Bethel tipped the ball into the air, which allowed Dugger to come down with it. Bethel said after the game he knew that, as a special teams player and part-time DB, he’d be targeted whenever on the field, and just tried to make a play. Bethel also made a special teams play to jar the ball loose from Wilson on a punt return, but the Cowboys recovered it. Nice game for the versatile Bethel.

• DOWN: LB Jahlani Tavai

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  Who was to blame for the Cowboys’ blocked punt late in the second quarter? Based on the Patriots’ personnel moves, it was Tavai. Bentley replaced Tavai in the protection unit on the next punt, indicating that he was the one who lost his man on the block. A rough moment for the former Lions linebacker, who was recently signed to the 53-man roster from the practice squad.
• UP: RB Rhamondre Stevenson

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  The Patriots’ trust level in Stevenson is apparently growing. The rookie back had five carries for 23 yards and a late go-ahead touchdown, and also made three catches in as many targets for another 39 yards. Another feather in the cap for Stevenson is a play he wasn’t on the field for: Brandon Bolden’s 1-yard loss on third-and-1 in the second half was a glaringly bad play-call, and an obvious play you could point to that it should’ve been Stevenson getting the ball.

• DOWN: RB Brandon Bolden

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  Perhaps it's not Bolden's fault that Josh McDaniels called for him to get the ball on third-and-1 in the first place. But Bolden could not make the play - in fact, he went backward for a yard. Bolden had just one catch for three yards, despite being the team's go-to passing down back right now. Only 10 offensive snaps for Bolden, who ought to be phased out of the offense at some point. Certainly out of the short-yardage game.

• UP: CB Jonathan Jones

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  The Patriots broke up a staggering three Dallas touchdowns defensively - and two of them came against Cedrick Wilson. Jones made a play reminiscent of Sterling Moore's famous TD breakup against Lee Evans in the 2011 AFC Championship Game against the Ravens. It looked like Wilson had the touchdown, but Jones knocked it loose before Wilson could finish the play. Jones also pulled this off after he returned to the game following a brief exit with a rib injury.
• DOWN: OT Isaiah Wynn

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  Wynn didn’t practice for two weeks, so the Patriots probably didn’t really want to put him on the field outside of an emergency situation. They tried him briefly at left tackle, but ultimately put Justin Herron back in after Wynn allowed a sack to Randy Gregory. Simply put, Wynn has had a bad season. He couldn’t have been expected to bring much to the table on Sunday, but that’s his own fault after landing on COVID reserve.

Next Ups & Downs come after the Patriots’ Week 7 matchup against the New York Jets. They’ll need to start adding to the win column ASAP, starting with the next game.

Click here for complete New England Patriots coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @mattydsays. You can also email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.

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Author Matt Dolloff

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