The New England Patriots are 3-8 on the 2024 season after a 28-22 home loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Here are 10 players graded either UP or DOWN based on their performance on the field…
DOWN: QB Drake Maye
Maye didn’t have his worst game overall, but he gets the first DOWN for this loss because, once again, he failed to protect the football in critical situations. Maye can’t let the ball be jarred loose so close to his own end zone on the strip-sack that led to a Rams touchdown, and he also can’t sail a throw like he did on the Patriots’ final drive, which led to a game-sealing interception.
Head coach Jerod Mayo called the final pick a “miscommunication,” and Maye indicated that receiver DeMario Douglas may have been thinking one thing when he was thinking another. Maye took accountability for that play and said he needs to communicate better throughout the week on in-game situations.
Maye did some good things, including good anticipation and accuracy on his first touchdown pass to Kendrick Bourne. He did well with his decision-making on passing versus running, and rarely forced the ball. So this DOWN doesn’t necessarily mean Maye had a totally bad game.
But the rookie has to make better decisions in those key points of the game, and certainly protect the ball, because those singular moments and crunch-time situations are often the difference between winning and losing. Maye needs to prove he’s taking a step forward from merely a productive quarterback to a winning quarterback.
UP: WR Kendrick Bourne
Bourne responded quite well to essentially being benched last week in Chicago. He caught all five targets for 70 yards and a touchdown, suddenly emerging as a reliable target for Maye.
It’s certainly been an up-and-down season, and up-and-down Patriots tenure, really, for Bourne. But he deserves a thumbs-up for Sunday. Let’s see if he can build on it going forward.
DOWN: CB Marco Wilson
Nov 17, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Marco Wilson (22) tries to tackle Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Wilson may fall into the “not his fault” tier of Patriots players, at this point. It’s not Wilson’s fault that he was tasked with covering the Rams’ top receivers. But he struggled mightily when he was on the field, and it seemed that the Rams knew to target No. 22 whenever they saw him. A hugely negative impact in a relatively limited role for Wilson, who simply cannot be a top-2 outside corner for this team.
UP: TE Hunter Henry
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 17: Hunter Henry #85 of the New England Patriots is tackled by Darious Williams #24 of the Los Angeles Rams during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium on November 17, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Henry made six catches for 63 yards, two of which converted third downs and another two to convert for fresh first downs. He had another third-down conversion get wiped out by an illegal formation penalty against Vederian Lowe. Henry needs to continue to be that reliable safety valve for Maye in the passing game going forward.
DOWN: WR Ja’Lynn Polk
Aug 15, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk (1) warms up before a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Polk played 31 offensive snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. He finished without a target in the passing game, but did manage to get flagged for a false start on fourth-and-1, which led the Patriots to settle for a field goal instead of going for it in the fourth quarter. A step back for the rookie after catching a touchdown last week against the Bears.
DOWN: OLs Demontrey Jacobs & Lecitus Smith
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 17: Joey Slye #13 of the New England Patriots kicks a field goal against the Los Angeles Rams at Gillette Stadium on November 17, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
A 2-for-1 here, as Jacobs and Smith were the ones that got beat on the Rams’ blocked extra point attempt in the fourth quarter. The Rams’ Michael Hoecht slipped through their blocking on the interior and leaped in the air to stop Joey Slye. The snap and hold were clean on the play. The Patriots needed better blocking from Jacobs and Smith there.
UP: DT Christian Barmore
Nov 17, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore (90) blocks Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle Warren McClendon Jr. (71) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Barmore only played 21 snaps in his return, but the mere fact that he was out there in the first place made him deserving of an UP. Barmore is officially back after an absence that lasted less than four months, despite suffering blood clots, which often shelve you for an entire season. Barmore drew enough attention to open space for his teammates on a number of plays, so he’s already making an impact with his mere presence.
DOWN: P Bryce Baringer
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 27: Bryce Baringer #17 of the New England Patriots punts the ball during the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
After a hot start to the season, Baringer has been hit-or-miss, sometimes straight-up bad. Baringer punted twice for an average of only 37 yards, with one touchback. His first punt was in relatively close range, which would explain the yardage there. But his touchback was costly, as the Rams drove down the field and scored a touchdown off it. Not the best day for Baringer, who has been all over the place lately.
Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital content producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read all of his articles here.
