Greg Bedard of BostonSportsJournal.com joined Felger and Mazz on Tuesday, as he does every Tuesday during the football season, to discuss the latest with the New England Patriots following their 29-25 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday at Gillette Stadium. While on, Bedard gave his 3 up and 3 down for the Patriots in the victory.
Some notes from the game courtesy of NFL.com…..
Mac Jones threw for 272 yards in the victory on Sunday over the Bills. That was the most he’s passed for in a game since the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles when he threw for 316 yards.
This was the first game since week 3 against the New York Jets that Mac Jones did not throw an interception. He had thrown for five interceptions in his previous three games.
Mike Gesicki’s game-winning touchdown catch was his first touchdown as a member of the Patriots.
Kendrick Bourne led all Patriots receivers with 63 yards receiving in the victory. Bourne leads all Patriots receivers with 370 receiving yards so far this season.
Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers intercepted Bills quarterback Josh Allen on the Bills first offensive drive of the game on Sunday. That was the first interception for Peppers in the 2023 season.
The Bills possessed the ball for 32:14 in the game. The Patriots held the ball for 27:46.
Rookie placekicker Chad Ryland went 3-3 in field goals in the victory for the Patriots. It’s the first time in his career that he has made 3 field goals in a game.
The win for the Patriots was their first win at Gillette Stadium in the 2023 season. They had been 0-3 at home to start the season.
Next up for the Patriots are the 5-2 Miami Dolphins. The Patriots will look to avoid a season sweep at the hands of the Dolphins on Sunday at 1 P.M. in Miami. The Dolphins won the week2 matchup between the teams by a final of 24-17.
3 UP
Demario Douglas
Oct 22, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Demario Douglas (81) runs with the ball during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Greg Bedard: He was outstanding in this game. Playmaker. Now it wasn’t perfect. He didn’t run the right route on third down that caused Mac Jones to throw the ball into the back of the offensive linemen because he didn’t sit there in the zone. But outside of that, I mean, you know, big broken tackles, drew a penalty, big time catches in traffic. He was tremendous. He’s exactly what this offense needs and needs more of.
Mac Jones
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 22: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots celebrates after a touchdown score in the first quarter of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on October 22, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Greg Bedard: Mac Jones in the fourth quarter only. He was outstanding. I mean, when they needed him, the two touchdown drives, clutch throws, you know, I loved the play to Bourne where he basically like, you know, this is why they drafted him because of his mind where he basically changed the receivers twice and changed the routes, changed the protection and then, you know, put a perfect ball on the outside to Kendrick Bourne so he could turn the corner for the touchdown. It was it was outstanding.
Defensive Line
Oct 22, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley (8) and defensive tackle Christian Barmore (90) tackle Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Greg Bedard: I couldn’t really separate these guys, so the entire defensive line starting with Christian Barmore, Dietrich Wise, Davon Godchaux, Lawrence Guy, and Anfernee Jennings. They combined 11 quarterback pressures and four run stuffs. They were the key to the defensive plan against Josh Allen and did a great job with their rush integrity sort of set things up.
3 DOWN
Sidy Sow
Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots guard Sidy Sow (62) on the line of scrimmage during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Greg Bedard: Pro Football Focus apparently rated him like the greatest offensive lineman ever. I don’t know what they’re smoking but you know he gave up three quarterback pressures, three and a half run stuffs. He was the weak link on the offensive line. Now, he wasn’t horrible. He wasn’t like some of their other guys that they’ve thrown out there. But he was he was by far the weakest link on the offensive line and got, you know, pushed back more times than not.
Kyle Dugger
Jul 30, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (23) walks to the practice field at the Patriots training camp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Greg Bedard: I thought he was terrible in this game. Missed tackles and he gave up the two point conversion on the route that he always gives up. His eyes are always in the wrong place in the back of the end zone against tight ends. You know Josh Allen normally kills Kyle Dugger in these games. And let’s also not forget the deep pass to Stefon Diggs down the middle. It should have been if it wasn’t windy, it would have been an 80 yard touchdown with Kyle Dugger getting roasted over the top.
Tyquan Thornton
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (11) during the first half against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Greg Bedard: He played three snaps, ran a wrong route on one of them, sat for the rest of the game,. You could also put Devante Parker in there. He’s completely useless. I don’t want to ever want to see Parker and JuJu Smith-Schuster on the field again. I’d be fine with that.
