Which New England Patriots players have the most to gain over the final three games of the season?
In the New England Patriots final road game of the season, they head to Orchard Park this Sunday to take on the Buffalo Bills. This game will have the Patriots in more of a national spotlight than they’ve been in for the last few months, with the game being flexed into the national CBS late afternoon window.
This matchup pits teams heading in two opposite directions. The Bills come in trying to put the cap on what has been a very successful season. Buffalo clinched the division weeks ago – all that’s left is seeding, and the Bills need a win to keep their hopes for the top seed in the AFC (and the conference’s lone bye) alive.
Meanwhile, for the Patriots right now it’s more about finishing what will go down as a disappointing season with some momentum heading into 2025. From the top down, everybody is trying to prove they deserve a spot next year, in New England or otherwise.
WATCH: Zolak & Bertrand on the Patriots’ coaching staff
Over the past few weeks, the Patriots’ coaching staff has pointed to the value in getting younger players specifically involved, to get a better picture of where they’re at so offseason plans can be adjusted accordingly.
This Wednesday, quarterback Drake Maye highlighted the value this game has for both the team as a whole and individual players looking to prove themselves. “We’re getting a chance to play against a playoff-level team and really see what it’s like to, ‘Hey, these guys are there and where we want to be at,’” Maye explained. “It kind of gives us a level of, ‘Hey, who can make plays for us in these moments?’ and it checks the gas tank for ourselves, where we’re at and what we’re building on. So, it’s a good test for us, a big test.
For this week’s ‘5 Things,’ we’ll be taking a look at which players have the most to prove for the Patriots over the final three games, and what matchups they’ll be facing against the Bills this week. Let’s get started…
Drake Maye
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 15: Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots looks to pass during the fourth quarter of a game against the New England Patriots at State Farm Stadium on December 15, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images)
We’ll start with Drake Maye himself. After his first few starts the biggest adjustment Maye needed to make was clear – cutting down on turnovers.
He’s done a good job of that over the past two games. While he has thrown two interceptions, both were passes that hit off of his intended receivers’ hands (neither throw was graded as a turnover worthy play by PFF). He also didn’t fumble in either game – or even come close – after he had issues putting the ball on the ground early on.
This week the difficulty of keeping that turnover number down will increase. The Bills’ defense has been one of the best in the league at creating takeaways this year. They rank fifth with 25 takeaways through 14 games, and their 12 recovered fumbles are the second-most in the NFL.
On top of that, there’s a real chance the Patriots are playing from behind for most of the game. In catch-up mode more should be put on Maye to create explosive plays, but he’ll have to do that while also taking care of the football on the road.
How will Maye handle that balance? It’s not an easy spot for a rookie, but it would be a great sign if he navigates the game well and continues to limit his giveaways.
Interior offensive linemen
Patriots offensive lineman Cole Strange during a Wednesday practice. (Alex Barth/98.5 The Sports Hub)
Over the past month, multiple signs have pointed towards the Patriots wanting to try Cole Strange at center at some point this year. With David Andrews still under contract for one more season but year-to-year at this point, it would make sense the Patriots want to see their own internal options to know how much they need to invest in finding a long-term answer at starting center.
Strange himself has said he’s been working primarily as a center since returning to practice a few weeks ago. Strange missed most of the season recovering from a severe knee injury he suffered last December.
Last week was Strange’s first game back on the active roster, but he was scratched and didn’t play. With starting center Ben Brown having two bad snaps and struggling in pass protection last week, that change could come this week.
In addition to Strange, rookie fourth-round pick Layden Robinson is in the spotlight over these final few games as well. The coaching staff has spoken highly of Robinson throughout the season, even as his play has been up-and-down. After spending most of the season at right guard, he’s moved to left guard the last two games. Right now, there’s no clear long-term answer at the left guard position, especially if Strange (who played there the last two years) is moving to center.
Strange (if he plays) and Robinson, along with right guard Mike Onwenu, have some of the tougher matchups this week against a standout Bills defensive front. “Defensively, to me it starts up front. A couple good edge rushers in [Greg] Rousseau and [A.J.] Epenesa, very good players,” head coach Jerod Mayo said this week. “To me, it really starts with Ed Oliver. I’ve been a fan since he was in college, very disruptive player, and you can tell he’s really coming to his own and makes this defense go.”
Oliver, in particular, can be a game-wrecker. He took over in the Bills’ win over the Detroit Lions last week, with nine pressures and a sack.
For both Strange and Robinson, this is a chance to get an early jump on competing for starting jobs next year. A strong showing against this unit this late in the year would be a big boost to their overall 2024 evaluations.
Ja’Lynn Polk
Oct 6, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk (1) walks onto the field before a game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
While Ja’Lynn Polk hasn’t show up in the box score, it’s not like he hasn’t been playing. Polk has probably been on the field more than you think – he’s played at least 20 snaps in each of the Patriots’ last five games, with a usage rate over 30 percent in four of those five games.
Despite that time on the field recently the production hasn’t been there for Polk. Of the 126 snaps he’s played over the last five games, 65 were pass plays where he was running a route. On those 65 routes he’s been targeted four times, catching two passes for nine yards.
With fellow rookie Javon Baker just returning from a concussion, there’s nobody to cut into Polk’s role and snaps as the Patriots’ fourth wide receiver. He should continue to get his reps this week, and down the stretch this season.
Polk’s inability to produce has started to enter historical context. It’s going to take more than four games for him to turn things around. But given the Patriots used a second-round pick on him, the team should still be invested in helping him turn around. Do we see any progress towards that this Sunday?
Keion White
Nov 17, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Keion White (99) blocking Los Angeles Rams tight end Davis Allen (87) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
When the Patriots traded Matthew Judon this summer, the stage seemed to be set for Keion White to play a major role in his sophomore season. After a standout spring and summer, White was now slated to be the Patriots’ top pass rusher with Judon gone and Christian Barmore out with a medical condition.
Early on, White seemed ready to live up to the role. He had five sacks in the first two games, and was averaging 3.5 pressures per game over the first 10 games of the year.
However, his production has dropped off over the last month. He was just seven pressures without a sack over the last four games. As a run defender he’s taken a step back as well, with repeated over-aggressive pursuit issues that he seemingly had gone away from through the middle of the season.
This week, the Patriots need for White to get back to early-season form if they want a chance of slowing down Josh Allen. White’s combination of athleticism and strength make him one of the best-suited defenders for both containing and chasing Allen in the pocket and around the backfield. For that to happen though White is going to have to be disciplined in his rush without being too passive.
Looking ahead to this offseason, the Patriots will need to at least in part rebuild their pass rush. How big of a part of that will White be? This game could go a long way in showing where his ceiling is.
Dell Pettus
Dec 15, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) runs against New England Patriots safety Dell Pettus (24) during the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Last week’s game against the Arizona Cardinals highlighted the struggles of the Patriots’ safeties this year. Both Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers were caught at the point of attack on big plays, something that has now happened multiple weeks in a row. On top of that, Dugger was dealing with an illness and injury this week, and missed practice on Wednesday.
Now the Patriots face a Bills offense that will test the safety position. In particular, the tight end duo of Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox present matchup problems for any defense.
In recent weeks with Dugger out due to injury and Peppers still working his way back into game shape, rookie Dell Pettus has been more involved as a coverage player. That should be true again this week, especially if Dugger can’t go.
Safety has emerged as a potential need for the Patriots this year, especially if Dugger’s step back is due to more than just the ankle injury he’s been fighting all season. Pettus will have a chance in this game and down the stretch to prove he can be a part of the solution.
