nht Patriots Stock Watch: Here’s Who Stood Out and Struggled in Epic Win Against Bills
Patriots Stock Watch: Here’s Who Stood Out and Struggled in Epic Win Against Bills
ORCHARD PARK, NY – The New England Patriots pulled off a massive upset against the previously undefeated Buffalo Bills on Sunday, securing a dramatic 23-20 victory in a thrilling divisional matchup. While the entire team battled for the win, a few key players saw their “stock” soar with clutch performances, while others had a rougher day at the office.
Here is the Patriots Stock Watch following the Week 5 victory over the Bills:
STOCK UP: The Standouts
1. QB Drake Maye
The rookie quarterback passed his toughest test yet with flying colors. Maye was the clear engine of the offense, going 22-of-30 for 273 yards. His pocket awareness was on display, as he consistently extended plays and stretched the Bills’ formidable defense. Most importantly, he capped off the game with the biggest drive of his young career, directing the offense downfield in the final minutes to set up the game-winning field goal. This performance was his “coming out party,” signaling a major leap in his development.
2. WR Stefon Diggs
Facing his former team, Stefon Diggs delivered his best game as a Patriot. The veteran receiver was Maye’s favorite target, hauling in 10 catches for 134 receiving yards. Diggs showcased his ability to win on short hitches and then break away for major gains, providing the much-needed chunk plays that sustained the Patriots’ crucial scoring drives.
3. CB Marcus Jones
Jones had one of the best games of his career. Tasked with covering Bills wideout Khalil Shakir for much of the night, Jones kept him in check, holding Shakir to just two catches for 22 yards. His most impactful play was an interception of Josh Allen in the third quarter that halted a potential go-ahead drive for the Bills, dramatically shifting the momentum in favor of New England.
STOCK DOWN: The Struggles
1. Reserve Defensive Linemen
While the starting defensive line pair of Christian Barmore and Milton Williams performed well, the reserves struggled with discipline. When backups like Joshua Farmer and Cory Durden entered the game during key Bills drives, they committed costly penalties, including an egregious unnecessary roughness call on Farmer. These mistakes gave the Bills free yardage and nearly sent the Patriots reeling in the second half.
2. OL Michael Jacobs
The offensive line had a mixed day, but right tackle Michael Jacobs struggled, particularly with maintaining discipline. Jacobs committed two false start penalties and had visible issues containing the Bills’ edge pressure on his side, contributing to the occasional lack of protection for Drake Maye.
3. Run Defense & Tackling
The Patriots defense struggled significantly to contain the Bills’ running attack. Buffalo averaged an alarming 6.1 yards per carry throughout the game. The issue was highlighted by James Cook’s 46-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, a play where both linebackers Jahlani Tavai and Sione Takitaki reportedly blew their gaps, allowing Cook a free path to the end zone. Head Coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged after the game, “the big run hurt us, and we’ve just got to do a better job tackling.”
Bottom Line: The victory over an undefeated divisional rival is a monumental morale boost for the Patriots. The incredible performance by Drake Maye and his top receiving threat, Stefon Diggs, signals a promising future for the offense. However, the team’s lingering issues with discipline on the reserve defensive line and inconsistent run defense must be cleaned up if they hope to turn this statement win into a sustainable run of success.
