The New England Patriots are 4-12 on the season after a 27-21 road loss to the Buffalo Bills, in which they couldn’t overcome four first-half turnovers despite keeping the game interesting. Here are eight players we graded UP or DOWN based on their performance…
DOWN: QB Bailey Zappe
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 31: Bailey Zappe #4 of the New England Patriots throws a pass during the first half of a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
Zappe had his worst start as a pro. Three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown, and another that was a pass attempt that had no chance. Zappe did continue to show some of his strengths – escapability from pressure, mental toughness – as the game went on, but he did not make enough plays or protect the ball enough to pull off an upset win.
Instead, Zappe’s mistakes gave Josh Allen and the Bills short fields to work with and allowed them to build a lead off his mistakes. If not for a stout Pats defense, the game might’ve been out of hand by the second quarter due to the turnovers.
UP: WR Jalen Reagor
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 31: Jalen Reagor #83 of the New England Patriots runs the kickoff back for a touchdown during the first quarter of a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
Easily Reagor’s most impactful game as a Patriot, and essentially because of one play. Reagor got the Pats off to the best possible start, taking the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown. Reagor also made a 39-yard catch that helped set up an Ezekiel Elliott touchdown.
The 2020 first-round pick hasn’t panned out in the NFL so far in his career, but he may be making a case to stick around in New England with his recent improvements. He should at least be a candidate for a futures contract, and he should be on a roster somewhere come 2024 training camp.
DOWN: TE Pharaoh Brown
Dec 31, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New England Patriots tight end Pharaoh Brown (86) runs with the ball after making a catch and is tackled by Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson (7) during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Brown has no excuse for fumbling the way he did in the first quarter, a mistake that gifted the Bills three points. He’s been a surprisingly solid addition as the third tight end on the depth chart – arguably the second, considering Mike Gesicki’s disappointing season – but this was a day that Brown hurt the team.
UP: RB Kevin Harris
Dec 31, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New England Patriots running back Kevin Harris (36) runs with the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
The second-year back has made the loss of Rhamondre Stevenson sting a lot less with his powerful running and sneaky burst. He ripped off a 48-yard catch-and-run in the second quarter that helped set up Zappe’s rushing touchdown. Harris will be an exclusive rights free agent after the season, so his future in New England is in the Patriots’ hands.
DOWN: S Kyle Dugger
Dec 31, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (86) turns up field after a catch in front of New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (23) in the first quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Dugger (not pictured above) got caught with Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid behind him by several steps, letting up a 51-yard catch that set up a Bills touchdown to start the third quarter. The play was an absolute killer for a Patriots team that entered the second half still very much alive in the game.
UP: DE Deatrich Wise Jr.
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 31: Deatrich Wise Jr. #91 of the New England Patriots sacks Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
Wise very nearly had himself a strip sack on the very first play from scrimmage, but the Bills were able to fall on Josh Allen’s fumble. Wise powered his way through two blockers to get to Allen on the play. He was hard to contain for the Bills’ left side of the O-line in this one.
DOWN: K Chad Ryland
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 31: Chad Ryland #37 of the New England Patriots reacts during the second quarter of a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
Ryland could not maintain any momentum after kicking a clutch game-winning field goal in Denver. Another missed field goal try for the rookie, his ninth of the season. He’s now 15-for-24 overall (62.5 percent). He would’ve had another miss, but the Patriots took a delay of game penalty on the play and opted to punt instead. Thrust into the lead kicking role as a rookie, Ryland hasn’t been nearly good enough.
UP: CB Alex Austin
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 31: Alex Austin #28 of the New England Patriots intercepts a pass intended for Dalton Kincaid #86 of the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
Austin has been with the Patriots for less than two months, but he’s already impacted games more than most cornerbacks on the team have this season. He made a huge play to high-point an Allen deep ball for an interception, giving the Pats a chance to score points at the end of the first half. He’s been a pleasant surprise and should be a candidate for a futures contract.
