Duke Dawson among 6 practice players of the week from the Patriots’ 24-12 win over the Bills

It has been a while since the New England Patriots won a game before Sunday: after two straight losses the team added to its win column again by beating the visiting Buffalo Bills 24-12. Of course, the preparation leading up to the contest played an essential role in this and as a result of their work, six men received practice player of the week honors.

CB Duke Dawson

RB Rex Burkhead

OL James Ferentz

QB Brian Hoyer

DE Trent Harris

DE Derek Rivers

The last time the Patriots handed out the honors — following their week 13 victory over the Minnesota Vikings — only one member of their 53-man roster was named as a practice player of the week. This time, five of six are on the active team. Needless of their role on their team, however, all six contributed to getting the team ready for the Bills.

Duke Dawson likely helped the team prepare for cornerback Tre’Davious White, while fellow defenders Trent Harris and Derek Rivers emulated thd Bills’ talented corps of pass rushers from Lorenzo Alexander to Trent Murphy to Kyle Williams.

On the offensive side of the ball the Patriots likely used Brian Hoyer to play elusive quarterback Josh Allen. Meanwhile, Rex Burkhead, probably played LeSean McCoy while versatile James Ferentz might have served as the stand-in for Buffalo’s interior offensive linemen.

Week 1: DL Trent Harris, OL James Ferentz, DB Keion Crossen, DL Geneo Grissom, DL Deatrich Wise Jr., DB J.C. Jackson

Week 7: RB Kenneth Farrow, WR Cordarrelle Patterson, OL James Ferentz, DB Nate Ebner, DL Frank Herron

Week 8: LB Calvin Munson, DL Derek Rivers, DB David Jones, WR Cordarrelle Patterson, OL Ted Karras

Week 9: DE Trent Harris, WR Phillip Dorsett, TE Stephen Anderson, QB Brian Hoyer, DT Frank Herron, LB Calvin Munson, SS David Jones, CB J.C. Jackson

Week 10: RB Rex Burkhead, WR Phillip Dorsett, QB Danny Etling, SS Obi Melifonwu, WR Damoun Patterson, DE Ufomba Kamalu

Week 13: TE Stephen Anderson, CB Duke Dawson, DE Trent Harris, DT Frank Herron, OL Ted Karras, LB Calvin Munson, WR Damoun Patterson, DE Derek Rivers, DE Ufomba Kamalu