The New England Patriots got back in the win column on Sunday with a 29-26 win over the Buffalo Bills.
Here is who caught our eye for better or worse upon live-viewing the Week 4 contest.
Winners
QB Drake Maye: After a well-documented slow start to the season, Maye turned things around on Sunday out-dueling Josh Allen in the win. Maye seemed more comfortable from the start leading a 97-yard scoring drive to start the game, which set the stage for him to lead four total scoring drives. There still were a pair
of turnovers, but Maye overall looked more comfortable and decisive in the pocket while carving up the blitz and pushing the ball downfield. He made an impact as a scrambler too, where he led the team with 54 yards on the ground.
WR Efton Chism III: With Mack Hollins leaving the game with a calf injury, Efton Chism III saw an increased workload down the stretch. Chism took advantage of those opportunities, hauling in a pair of passes on the Patriots game-winning drive including the winning touchdown — an incredible one-handed snag.
WR Romeo Doubs: It’s been an up-and-down start to the season for the Drake Maye-Romeo Doubs connection. A low pass that Doubs could not haul in resulted in an interception on Sunday, but there was plenty more good from the duo in Buffalo. Doubs caught six passes for 58 yards and a pair of touchdowns — one a goal-line fade which the receiver hauled in with one hand through contact — to go along with two big fourth-down conversions.
CB Carlton Davis III: Filling in for the injured Christian Gonzalez, it was a strong day for cornerback Carlton Davis. He held up well in coverage against D.J. Moore before the receiver left with an injury and was involved on a forced fumble in the first half. Davis also was on scene to again blow up another screen pass and logged two run stuffs against James Cook.
Losers
OT Will Campbell/Pass Protection: Drake Maye was under pressure on 42.9% of his dropbacks on Sunday, with left tackle Will Campbell being the main culprit surrendering six pressures (three hits), which included three on seven matchups against Greg Rousseau. Guards Alijah Vera-Tucker and Ben Brown were also charged with three pressures each and were pushed backwards on Drake Maye’s strip sack.
Honorable mentions
- While the Patriots short-yardage run game had some struggles, the ground game as a whole took a step forward. Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson broke off several plus rushes as they finished with a 45% rushing success rate (75th percentile).
- Most productive game of the season for tight end Hunter Henry (5 catches, 62 yards), who then iced the game with a third-down conversion on the last possession.
- Jared Wilson and Morgan Moses had cleaner performances up front being tabbed with just one pressure allowed each.
- It continues to be a promising start to the year for Gabe Jacas and Elijah Ponder. The duo had three pressures a piece while the rookie showed off his power with a bullrush against Dion Dawkins, while Ponder also recovered a fumble.
- The Patriots defense largely played zone coverage on Sunday, but a rare man-to-man rep late in the game led to Craig Woodson’s interception on Josh Allen.
- New England’s run defense faltered down the stretch, as James Cook ended the day averaging 6.3 yards per carry while Buffalo posted an 89th percentile rushing success rate.
