The New England Patriots dropped to 3-12 on the 2024 season after a 24-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday at Highmark Stadium. Here are eight players graded either UP or DOWN based on their on-field performance, key plays, and other factors from the game…
UP: QB Drake Maye
Overall, a good day for the rookie. He got the Pats on the board early with a drop in the bucket to receiver Kayshon Boutte (more on him below) for a touchdown, he made more plays with his legs (six carries for 30 yards), and made a number of great throws to convert on third down, a big step forward from last week in that situation.
There was one big, obvious play that Maye would love to have back: facing first-and-10 from the Buffalo 16-yard line and the Patriots down 17-14, Maye short-armed a throw to the end zone, and it ended up intercepted by Cam Lewis. Maye’s intended target, Austin Hooper, also fell, so the play had no chance. It was really just a poor decision by Maye to try to do too much there, considering it was first down. He gave away what would’ve been an easy three points if they didn’t find the end zone there.
Maye certainly needs to cut down on the turnovers, and hopefully he looks at the film and learns from his pick in this game. But that one play was far from the only reason the Patriots lost the game, and he showed a lot of good things that are promising for himself and the offense.
DOWN: RB Rhamondre Stevenson
Stevenson ran hard in the first half, then really hurt the team in the second. Another fumble for Stevenson, giving him a whopping SEVEN on the season, and he’s fortunate the lost fumble that resulted in a Bills touchdown was officially credited to Maye.
The turnovers have really marred what’s been a disappointing season overall for Stevenson, who signed a four-year extension with the Patriots in the off-season. If Stevenson can cut back on the fumbles, he’ll be a good back for the Patriots. But that deal is not looking good right now.
UP: CB Jonathan Jones
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 22: Jonathan Jones #31 of the New England Patriots punches the ball against Khalil Shakir #10 of the Buffalo Bills during the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
Arguably the best game of the season for Jones, who has been up-and-down in his ninth NFL campaign. Jones drew a tough assignment in primarily covering Bills wideout Khalil Shakir, and Shakir overall was held to two catches for 22 yards. Jones also forced a fumble with a textbook punch-out, but the Bills recovered.
Jones is a free agent after the season, but he should be a candidate to re-sign and essentially become a Patriot for life.
DOWN: LB Jahlani Tavai
Dec 22, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) uses blockers to gain yards against the New England Patriots in the third quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
We’re spotlighting Tavai due to one of the game’s critical plays, a 46-yard touchdown run by James Cook in the second quarter. Tavai, and fellow inside linebacker Sione Takitaki, for that matter, both blew their gaps on the play, allowing Cook a free lane through the second level, and from there it’s a footrace between the runner and the secondary. It was a crucial mistake for a defense that otherwise had a surprisingly solid game.
Tavai will be best suited going back to more of an edge role next season, when the Patriots get Ja’Whaun Bentley back. He’s been consistently exposed trying to be a run-stopper over the middle of the field.
UP: S Marte Mapu
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 22: Ty Johnson #26 of the Buffalo Bills tackles Marte Mapu #15 of the New England Patriots during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
Mapu made one of the game’s most glaring mistakes, but it came right after he intercepted Josh Allen in the end zone. Mapu decided to try to take the ball out of the end zone, and appeared to realize the error of his ways at the last second, but ended up tackled at the 1-yard line. That play was partially on the coaches and their bad situational awareness on defense this season.
So, why is Mapu an UP, then? Well, he did make the interception. He also made another pass breakup, five total tackles, and a forced fumble that the Bills recovered. He was all over the field and has shown potential this season as a chess piece for the back end of the Pats defense. He needs to clean up the situational stuff, for sure, but Mapu was a net positive in the game.
DOWN: LB Anfernee Jennings
Dec 22, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) throws the ball against the New England Patriots during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Jennings struggled to contain the edge, an area of the game that’s supposed to be his forte. Jennings has had a disappointing season, considering he had a big opportunity in front of him after the Patriots traded away Matthew Judon. He’s a solid player, but he certainly needs to set the edge to be an effective player worth putting on the field.
