Duke Dawson among 6 practice players of the week from the Patriots’ 37-31 win over the Chiefs

The New England Patriots are on to Super Bowl 53 thanks to a thrilling overtime victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game. The Patriots entered the contest with a perfect plan on both sides of the football, and even though they were unable to keep it intact for 60 minutes it still shows just how well the team prepared in the week leading up to the contest.

And as a result of their part in this, six men received practice player of the week honors:

CB Duke Dawson

WR Damoun Patterson

QB Brian Hoyer

DT Frank Herron

DE Trent Harris

TE Stephen Anderson

Three of the players mentioned above were also part of last week’s round of practice players: quarterback Brian Hoyer, wide receiver Damoun Patterson and defensive lineman Trent Harris also played a big part in helping the team prepare for the Los Angeles Chargers last week. All three of them are regulars on the practice players of the week lists: Hoyer has received the honor for the fourth, while Patterson and Harris are both named for the seventh time.

Hoyer in particular might have played a big role last week in practice: with the Patriots gearing up to slow down likely league MVP Patrick Mahomes and his unique skill set, Hoyer likely played his role to help New England’s defense get ready for the challenge. At least early on it was as the Chiefs’ explosive offense was held without a point for the first 30 minutes.

Rookie Duke Dawson being on the list is also good to see: the second-round pick spent most of the season on injured reserve is now essentially enjoying a red shirt season. However, he is apparently getting regular action in practice which should help his long-term development in what is becoming a deep New England secondary with Stephon Gilmore, Jason McCourty, J.C. Jackson and Jonathan Jones all playing big roles against the Chiefs.

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

Week 16: CB Duke Dawson, RB Rex Burkhead, OL James Ferentz, QB Brian Hoyer, DE Trent Harris, DE Derek Rivers

Week 17: DE Trent Harris, WR Damoun Patterson, TE Stephen Anderson, QB Danny Etling, SS Obi Melifonwu, LB Calvin Munson, DT Frank Herron

Divisional round: QB Brian Hoyer, WR Damoun Patterson, OG Ted Karras, LB Calvin Munson, DE Trent Harris, SS Obi Melifonwu