The New England Patriots ended the regular season in the win column on Sunday. Hosting the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium, they celebrated a 38-10 victory.
Here is who caught our eye for better or worse
upon live-viewing the Patriots’ 14th win of the season.
Winners
RB Rhamondre Stevenson: Stevenson set the tone out of the gate for the Patriots with a 56-yard run on the second play from scrimmage to kickstart a game that he totaled 131 yards on seven carries and two touchdown, while adding two receptions for 22 yards and another score. Stevenson was a force to bring down as he generated +104 rushing yards over expected, the seventh-most by a running back in a game this season, as he continued to be one of the team’s best players over the last month.
OLB Anfernee Jennings: The veteran edge defender continued to impress while taking on a larger workload for Harold Landry (knee). Against a diverse Miami run game, Jennings was his usual dominant self in the run game highlighted by a pair of tackles for loss — including a seven-yard stop in the third quarter.
Stefon Diggs, Hunter Henry, and K’Lavon Chaisson: In addition to several Patriots’ players finalizing play-time incentives on Sunday, three earned some cash due to their performance. That started with Stefon Diggs, who’s 34-yard catch in the third quarter put him over the 1,000-yard mark to earn him $500k. The Patriots then made sure to get Hunter Henry his five receptions to bring his total to 60 on the year, cashing the tight end $250k.
In the fourth quarter, K’Lavon Chaisson extended his career-high sack total to 7.5 as he chased down Quinn Ewers which earned the pass rusher $500k. Each player was greeted by hugs and smiles as they returned to the sideline after each mark was hit.
Losers
CB Carlton Davis III: The Patriots corner started his 17th game of the season for the first time in his seven-year career and was on scene for a fourth-down stop on the first possession of the game. But, Davis started the second half by losing downfield and committing a pass interference to prevent a big completion and allowed a pair of other catches in big situational spots — including a 3rd-and-6.
Field goal protection: With the amount of field goal blocks rising this season across the NFL, the Patriots took pride in their protection unit holding strong through 17 weeks. But the damn broke in the finale, as the Dolphins got home — through practice squad elevation Brenden Jaimes and Vederian Lowe — to block Andy Borregales’ 38-yard field goal near the end of the first half.
“I’m just frustrated with the blocked field goal,” Vrabel said. “We went all 17 weeks, and all we did was become the 38th or 39th blocked field goal in the NFL this year.”
Honorable mentions
- It was another efficient game for Drake Maye on Sunday, as he completed 14-of-18 passes for 191 yards and a touchdown while adding 41 rushing yards and generating +0.50 EPA per drop back (94th percentile). Maye went 5-of-6 on deep passes for 113 yards and a touchdown, while burning the Dolphins’ zone coverages with pocket movement and with his legs; he scrambled on 30.4% of his dropbacks, totaling 41 rushing yards and 29 passing yards on those plays.
- In addition to Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson (13/53/2) ran well as the Patriots ended the day with a 56% success rate (95th percentile) on the ground.
- Efton Chism III (26 snaps) continued to be used to help replace Mack Hollins and was rewarded with his efforts in the run game with a 35-yard catch off a flea flicker.
- Will Campbell admitted he needed a few drives under his belt to catch his stride in return from injury. He had a tough matchup against veteran edge rusher Bradley Chubb, who generated four pressures in 10 matchups against the rookie left tackle. Campbell did have a big block getting to the second level on Stevenson’s 35-yard touchdown.
- Elsewhere on the offensive line, Maye was under pressure on just over 30% of his snaps. The biggest (continued) complaint is the short yardage rushing success, as a 4th-and-1 run was stuffed short with jumbo TE Thayer Munford missing his block.
- The Patriots were good elsewhere with Munford on the field, as they utilized jumbo personnel on 25% of their offensive plays. That led to them gaining 207 yards and 3 touchdowns, the second most yards out of jumbo by an offense in the Next Gen Stats era (since 2016).
- Elijah Ponder was on scene to recover a fumble forced by Jack Gibbens, who also had a pass breakup, while the pass rusher later recorded a sack to bring his season total to 4.0.
- In his first game back from inured reserve, Milton Williams played just under 30 snaps in what appeared to be his usual workload before starter’s were pulled. Williams biggest play came early in the run game with a six-yard tackle for loss while he also drew seven double teams as a pass rusher.
- Elsewhere along the interior, Cory Durden made his presence felt up front with a big run stuff on 3rd-and-short while Christian Barmore also recorded a sack.
- Jaylinn Hawkins on scene in the end zone for his fourth interception of the season and second in as many weeks.
- Andy Borregales followed up the blocked kick (which was largely on protection) with a career-high 59-yard make to end the first half — the longest kick in Gillette Stadium history.
- Bryce Baringer and the punt coverage team — led by Brenden Schooler and Julian Ashby — also had a strong night as all three of his punts (51.7 average) were downed inside the 20. The Patriots continued to lean towards kicking touchbacks instead of covering kickoffs, however.
