Pats Pulpit - Patriots vs. Bills: News, analysis, injuries, previews, final score, and morePats Pulpit: A New England Patriots Communityhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51321/pp-fav.png2022-12-06T08:00:00-05:00http://www.patspulpit.com/rss/stream/232465422022-12-06T08:00:00-05:002022-12-06T08:00:00-05:00Patriots linebacker Josh Uche is finally starting to put it all together
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<figcaption>Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><strong>Related:</strong> <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/2022/12/2/23489596/patriots-vs-bills-week-13-defense-comes-up-short">Patriots defense shows progress but still comes up short against Bills in 24-10 loss</a></p> <p id="X7otJQ">The <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a>’ 2021 draft class has been a mixed bag. While some selections such as safety Kyle Dugger or guard Michael Onwenu have developed into valuable contributors, most others — including the team’s third-round tight ends — have flamed out and are no longer with the team.</p>
<p id="8qA9fs">After two years, second-round linebacker Josh Uche found himself right in the middle between those two extremes but trending ever so slightly toward the “bust” category. The numbers, after all, were not reflective of his draft status.</p>
<p id="xz5287">With injuries limiting him to just 22 combined games in his rookie and sophomore campaigns, Uche registered just four total sacks. He was able to flash his talents on occasion, but was never quite able to put it all together and develop into the bona fide pass rusher his potential suggested he might become.</p>
<p id="zSQzZ4">At least early on, his third year with the Patriots was more of the same. Uche went sack-less the first five weeks of the season before missing two contests due to a hamstring injury. When he returned, however, something had changed: he started to take down opposing quarterbacks.</p>
<p id="eXokao">Then he did it again. And again. And again.</p>
<p id="Fam72g">In the five games since his involuntary break, Uche has registered seven sacks. Only one player in the NFL — <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> standout and current NFL sack leader Nick Bosa (7.5) — has notched more since Week 8.</p>
<p id="Bh3yfX">What has happened? Frankly, Uche has begun taking advantage of his opportunities. Whether they came in the form of teams focusing on Matthew Judon opposite him, or him going up against some opposition not up to the task does not matter: he is finally turning into the impact player the Patriots hoped they would get when they traded up to draft him 60th overall in the spring of 2020.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The raw athletic ability from Josh Uche was always evident watching him at Michigan, but pulling this off is astonishing. Literally dips his shoulder parallel to the ground, keeps balance on the ghost rush and closes for the strip sack.<br><br>Impressive!<br><br> <a href="https://t.co/17U8PMGDVK">pic.twitter.com/17U8PMGDVK</a></p>— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealD_Jackson/status/1598508372151738368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2022</a>
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<p id="gJhxBv">While Uche’s mid-season breakout might have come as a surprise to some, others were not shocked by seeing his development. The aforementioned Matthew Judon, arguably the team’s best player through 12 games, already spoke about his young teammate’s potential back in November.</p>
<p id="WD3LTX3WTNEV7O2MAJAYWHGD6Q">“For him to come out there and have a game like he had, and then play lights-out like that, that just allows him to see what he can do in this league,” Judon said after Uche’s three-sack performance in Week 9 against the <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Indianapolis Colts</a>. “He can be a premier pass rusher, and I always tell him, he’s probably the best pass rusher we’ve got.”</p>
<p id="8tBdhF">Uche may or may not be he best pass rusher on New England’s roster, but he currently is the team’s most productive. His game against the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> last Thursday night was more proof of that.</p>
<p id="fH3NQ6">Playing a season-high 43 percent of the team’s defensive snaps, he registered a pair of sacks, a forced fumble that was recovered by Judon, and a career-high seven tackles. On a day that saw the Patriots struggle in all three phases, Uche was one of the few standout performers.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Josh Uche might be a Jedi <a href="https://t.co/Koj8nvAPzM">pic.twitter.com/Koj8nvAPzM</a></p>— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) <a href="https://twitter.com/tkyles39/status/1598843284260286465?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2022</a>
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<p id="rN4PhY">With five regular season games left to be played and the Patriots only one game behind in the AFC playoff race, getting positive contributions out of Uche and the pass rush will be massively important down the stretch. That is especially true given that the team’s offense has shown little signs of progress.</p>
<p id="LzxQFD">If New England’s defense has to carry the team to the postseason tournament as a result, Uche will be a key player — if he can keep building on his recent level of play.</p>
https://www.patspulpit.com/2022/12/6/23494338/patriots-linebacker-josh-uche-finally-starting-to-put-it-all-together-year-3Bernd Buchmasser2022-12-05T16:00:00-05:002022-12-05T16:00:00-05:00Troy Brown agrees with Kendrick Bourne’s recent criticism of the Patriots offense
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<figcaption>Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><strong>Related:</strong> <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/2022/12/2/23489459/patriots-third-down-offensive-struggles-thursday-bills">Patriots offensive struggles continue in Thursday night defeat to Buffalo</a></p> <p id="R5bs2s">Kendrick Bourne raised some eyebrows following the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a>’ 24-10 defeat to the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> last Thursday. Speaking with reporters in the locker room after the game, the wide receiver rather candidly made his feelings about the unit’s struggles known.</p>
<p id="W1WoRO">Bourne touched on a variety of issues, including the Patriots’ inability to push the ball down the field, to the tempo with which the unit was operating agains Buffalo, to the schemes on third down. Hearing a member of the usually tight-lipped team speak this openly about its problems was certainly noteworthy.</p>
<p id="nEdpJo">Did Bourne cross a line, though? Not according to his position coach. Talking to the media on Monday, Troy Brown basically echoed the wide receiver’s remarks.</p>
<p id="kIXibu">“We need to do it all better. We need to scheme up better, we need to practice better, we need to play better. We need to do a whole lot of things better,” Brown said. “Not just one thing you can throw out there and say we need to do better. We just have to execute better and that comes in every department in the building right now.”</p>
<p id="LKTtbp">The Patriots offense had another disappointing outing in Week 13 versus Buffalo. The unit went three-and-out on four of its first five possessions — allowing the Bills to take a 17-7 lead into the half and never looking back — and did not reach the opponent red zone until the late fourth period.</p>
<p id="pzsom9">It eventually finished with just one touchdown in the 14-point loss to its division rivals. The outing was not the first of its kind for the New England offense, though; it also struggled in previous games and is now ranked below average in almost every major statistical category.</p>
<p id="pw5Y0q">No <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/2022/12/5/23494014/bill-belichick-patriots-offensive-play-caller-situation-dramatic-changes">drastic changes</a> will be made to help to improve the unit. Instead, as Brown pointed out, its members both on the field and on the sidelines need to find a way to get better results.</p>
<p id="ogRKtm">“Playing, coaching, whatever it is — quarterbacking, receiving, running-back blocking, whatever it is. We all have to have some accountability for it and be better at it, and just keep plugging along at it,” he said.</p>
<p id="CmKTqy">The Patriots will get their next change to plug along following their mini-bye. They will take on the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> and their 32nd-ranked scoring defense in Week 14.</p>
https://www.patspulpit.com/2022/12/5/23494358/troy-brown-agrees-kendrick-bournes-criticism-patriots-offenseBernd Buchmasser2022-12-05T11:00:00-05:002022-12-05T11:00:00-05:00Marcus Jones’ in-season development has been huge for the Patriots
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<p><strong>Related:</strong> <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/2022/12/2/23489513/marcus-jones-versatility-touchdown-reception-patriots">Versatile Marcus Jones a rare bright spot in Patriots’ loss to Bills</a></p> <p id="k0Jh9r">Where would the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> be without Marcus Jones?</p>
<p id="eABFhK">Granted, questions like these always involve a significant degree of speculation and hypotheticals, but in this case it is fair to ask. The third-round rookie, after all, has been one of the team’s most consistent playmakers this season — and a source of offense for a team oftentimes in need of proper play on that side of the ball.</p>
<p id="KvUKin">It certainly did not look like that would happen so quickly earlier in the year, though. The 85th overall selection in the draft out of the University of Houston, Jones entered the league with considerable promise due to his ability to play in all three phases of the game.</p>
<p id="B77g2q">However, he was unable to participate in any pre-draft activities after undergoing surgery on both his shoulders. He wore a red non-contact jersey throughout New England’s mandatory minicamp, and was a limited participate in the offseason.</p>
<p id="7UHje7">Jones then started the regular season seeing limited opportunities. Fast forward to Week 13, however, and his role has expanded significantly.</p>
<p id="Y3t0Ys">Now, the youngster is the Patriots’ designated kickoff and punt return man, has started to see more snaps on defense, and has even been given some offensive playing time. The results speak for themselves, with Jones ranking among the most productive returners in football and also finding the end zone twice; once on a punt return, once on offense.</p>
<p id="H2akbg">“Marcus is a player who’s developed a lot over the course of the season,” said head coach Bill Belichick about him. “Wasn’t able to do a lot in the spring, he did what he could do. Wasn’t able to do everything at the start of training camp, but did what he could do. Got into training camp late, into practicing full-time late. So, just trying to move him along as a player.”</p>
<p id="hsJknK">As Belichick noted, Jones’ workload increased steadily through the regular season. His three-game stretch since New England’s bye week in particular has stood out, though.</p>
<p id="kPB3ww">In Week 11 against the <a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a>, Jones scored on an 84-yard punt return touchdown to give his team at 10-3 victory with only five seconds remaining on the clock. The following week against Minnesota, he had a 46-yard kickoff return and one special teams tackle.</p>
<p id="icGixC">Finally, last Thursday versus the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> he saw his first three snaps on offense. Jones turned them into two receptions, including a 46-yard touchdown. He also broke up a pass in his season-high 34 defensive snaps.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The kid can do it all <a href="https://twitter.com/MarcusJonesocho?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MarcusJonesocho</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ProBowlVote?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ProBowlVote</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BUFvsNE?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BUFvsNE</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLonPrime?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFLonPrime</a> <a href="https://t.co/1Bu00fgnqE">pic.twitter.com/1Bu00fgnqE</a></p>— New England Patriots (@Patriots) <a href="https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1598491699147333635?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2022</a>
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<p id="vDsV7j">“I don’t think you take a player like that and throw everything you could possibly throw at him on the first week of the season — returning punts, playing defense, playing outside, playing inside, at times he has to play safety, play offense, return kickoffs, return punts,” Belichick said. “I just don’t think that’s a good idea, so we didn’t do that.</p>
<p id="4QG8vk">“But his role increased from not much, to kickoff returns, to punt returns, to some snaps on defense, to a little different role [against Buffalo]. He’s a player who’s gained confidence, gained experience, has been used in different ways. We’ll see what we do going forward, but I think there’s a process of bringing a player along like that and that’s what we tried to do.”</p>
<p id="zUdGYw">Clearly, the Patriots’ way of approaching Jones — a unique talent who won the Paul Hornung Award as college football’s most versatile player in 2021 — is paying some dividends. The team has been a better one because of it.</p>
<p id="9vec0L">So, where would the New England Patriots be without Marcus Jones? Certainly not as dangerous in the return game, and possibly not 6-6 either.</p>
https://www.patspulpit.com/2022/12/5/23494001/marcus-jones-in-season-development-has-been-huge-for-patriotsBernd Buchmasser2022-12-05T05:00:00-05:002022-12-05T05:00:00-05:00Patriots vs. Bills rookie review: Tyquan Thornton has his most productive game in weeks
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<p><strong>Related:</strong> <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/2022/12/2/23489486/patriots-vs-bills-week-13-snap-counts-marcus-jones-sees-a-role-on-offense">Patriots vs. Bills snap counts: Offensive line goes wire-to-wire despite obvious limitations</a></p> <p id="38YLK8">The <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> lost their first matchup with the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> this season, getting beaten 24-10 on Thursday Night Football. Just like the Patriots’ other games this season, their Week 13 loss once again saw considerable contributions from the team’s rookie class.</p>
<p id="uVtdkz">Let’s quickly go through all of the first-year players currently on the team to find out how they performed against the Bills. As always, we will start with first-round draft pick Cole Strange and move all the way down to the undrafted free agents.</p>
<p id="Ap8s6S"><strong>G Cole Strange (1-29):</strong> Playing all 54 offensive snaps at left guard, Strange had a solid outing. He was flagged for a hold in the second quarter, but also surrendered just one quarterback hurry all day, according to <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641910&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pff.com%2Fsubscribe&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.patspulpit.com%2F2022%2F12%2F5%2F23493935%2Fpatriots-vs-bills-week-13-rookie-review-analysis" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Pro Football Focus</a>. The return of center David Andrews certainly helped him return to form against a talented Buffalo front, but the bottom line is that strange looked a lot better again.</p>
<p id="oHvPMc"><strong>WR Tyquan Thornton (2-50):</strong> Coming off a string of quiet games, the Patriots’ second-round pick had his most productive in weeks against Buffalo. Playing 21 snaps (39%), primarily as an outside receiver, Thornton finished with two receptions on three targets for 31 yards — the second highest such output on the team and his best performance since a two-touchdown day in Week 7.</p>
<p id="qySML2"><strong>CB/KR/PR/WR Marcus Jones (3-85):</strong> Marcus Jones continues to be a playmaker for the Patriots no matter how used. Against Buffalo, the team employed the hyper-versatile rookie on offense for the first time: he ended up catching two passes for a team-high 51 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown. Besides his contributions on offense, Jones also played 34 snaps on defense (45%) and 10 in the kicking game. While he was quiet as a return man this time around, he played an encouraging game moving between the slot and perimeter at the cornerback position.</p>
<p id="MN4kcG"><strong>CB Jack Jones (4-121):</strong> With starting outside cornerback Jalen Mills out due to a groin injury, Jones effectively filled his spot in the lineup. The fourth-rounder ended up playing 57 defensive snaps (76%), allowing two receptions for 22 yards on six targets. He also was flagged twice, however: he was called for a 22-yard pass interference in the first quarter to allow Buffalo to convert a 3rd-and-9 on an eventual touchdown drive; he also was flagged for a declined hold on a second-quarter TD.</p>
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<p id="L63wtQ"><strong>RB/ST Pierre Strong Jr. (4-127):</strong> Despite Damien Harris being inactive, Strong Jr. continued to be used exclusively on special teams. The fourth-rounder played nine snaps between three units — kickoff coverage, kickoff return, punt return — and did not stand out in any meaningful way.</p>
<p id="8NaLrL"><strong>QB Bailey Zappe (4-137):</strong> Mac Jones went wire-to-wire, which once again meant that Zappe would remain on the sidelines. Unless the injury bug bites Jones again it seems unlikely the fourth-rounder will return to the starting lineup anytime soon.</p>
<p id="F6nXYT"><strong>RB Kevin Harris (6-183):</strong> With Damien Harris out because of a thigh injury, the sixth-rounder served as the de facto No. 2 at running back behind Rhamondre Stevenson. He still played only a single offensive snap — carrying the ball for a 1-yard loss — and so no special teams action either.</p>
<p id="40U6uL"><strong>DT/ST Sam Roberts (6-200):</strong> After being inactive as a healthy scratch in four straight games, the Patriots decided to activate Roberts again. He played four snaps on the field goal blocking team but did not see any action on the defensive side of the ball.</p>
<p id="G5TIj0"><strong>S/ST Brenden Schooler (UDFA):</strong> Once again tying for the team lead with 21 snaps on special teams, Schooler continues to be a prominent presence for the team. Not only is he used on five kicking game units, he also registered another tackle to bring his season total to 12 — by far the highest such number on the team. He was also credited for one missed takedown opportunity, though.</p>
<p id="DeQ0R8"><strong>LB/ST DaMarcus Mitchell (UDFA):</strong> Playing 19 snaps on special teams — third most on the team behind Brenden Schooler and Matthew Slater — Mitchell again served as a five-unit player. He did not register any statistics, but was flagged for a hold on a kickoff return in the early second quarter. The play cost New England eight yards deep in its own territory; the offense went three-and-out.</p>
<p id="SqnUSk"><strong>WR/ST Raleigh Webb (UDFA):</strong> Webb played his usual role on three special teams units, seeing action on the kickoff coverage, kickoff return and punt return squads. He did not register any statistics in his 10 snaps in the game’s third phase.</p>
<p id="1wpTcQ"><strong>OL Kody Russey (UDFA):</strong> With the Patriots’ interior offensive line once again going wire-to-wire, Russey remained on the sideline throughout the game. The undrafted free agent out of Houston has yet to see any game action since his promotion to the active roster last month.</p>
<p id="OPGHVj">The Patriots’ rookie class extends beyond those 12 players. Offensive lineman Hayden Howerton, defensive tackle Jeremiah Pharms Jr. and defensive back Brad Hawkins are all on the practice squad. New England did not elevate any of them to the game-day team versus the Bills, meaning that they all still have three standard elevations available.</p>
<p id="xWHGqG">Additionally, the Patriots have three rookie players on injury-related reserve lists. Sixth-round offensive lineman Chasen Hines is on injured reserve but already eligible to return; seventh-round offensive tackle Andrew Stueber remains on the non-football injury list and appears to be in the middle of a redshirt campaign; UDFA defensive lineman LaBryan Ray is still on the practice squad injury list.</p>
https://www.patspulpit.com/2022/12/5/23493935/patriots-vs-bills-week-13-rookie-review-analysisBernd Buchmasser2022-12-03T13:00:00-05:002022-12-03T13:00:00-05:00Bill Belichick explains play-calling, timeout decisions in second quarter two-minute drill
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<figcaption>Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/2022/12/2/23489391/patriots-offense-is-broken-jones-patricia-belichick">The Patriots offense is broken. Can it be fixed, though?</a></p> <p id="5eGQpM">For the second straight week, the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> botched a two-minute drill in the final moments of the first half and left potential points on the field. But, after last week’s head scratchers came from the players, this week’s mistakes seemed to fall on the coaching staff.</p>
<p id="AIOupa">Trailing Buffalo 17-7 with 1:20 remaining in the first half, Josh Uche dipped under left tackle David Quessenberry and strip sacked Josh Allen. The Patriots recovered and were set up at their own 42-yard line with two timeouts at their disposal.</p>
<p id="4KNHCH">In what was still a competitive game on the scoreboard, it was just the opportunity New England needed - especially knowing the high-powered Bills’ offense was set to receive the second half kickoff.</p>
<p id="qdK8Lj">After a 14-yard run by Rhamondre Stevenson and nine-yard completion to Jakobi Meyers started the drive, the Patriots faced a second-and-one at the Buffalo 35. With 50 seconds remaining, they then dialed up a draw out of shotgun to Stevenson, which was poorly executed by the depleted offensive line and stopped for no gain.</p>
<p id="6RuKTs">The run concluded with 45 seconds remaining in the half, but Bill Belichick’s timeout did not come until an additional 11 seconds ran off the clock.</p>
<p id="0CbZhS">“Just making sure we had the situation there,” Belichick told reporters Friday morning. “Initially, it looked like we had a first down and then we didn’t. So, should’ve identified it quicker.</p>
<p id="PXySYu">“We had to determine whether it was third down or first down. And so, there was a little bit of delay. Then, what was the play? Then we just thought it would be more efficient to take a timeout.”</p>
<p id="bdqpzs">What was that next play? A quarterback sneak on third-and-one which moved the chains, but forced New England to burn their final timeout.</p>
<p id="j8PjtB">“Yeah,” Belichick answered when asked if he was OK with that decision. “The thinking was to get a first down and try to score.”</p>
<p id="dUD2jT">With just 32 seconds remaining and no timeouts, New England was not able to take advantage of the fresh set of downs. Jones’ first pass was incomplete to DeVante Parker, before he found Hunter Henry on another quick passing concept for four yards (who got out of bounds). On third-down, pressure forced Jones into a throwaway.</p>
<p id="K5H7oI">After burning both timeouts to pick up one-yard and a first-down earlier in the drive, the Patriots only mustered four more yards of offense. As Nick Folk then came out to attempt a 48-yard field goal, he left it short as he ricocheted off the crossbar.</p>
<p id="RzqV9D">The sequence was just another example of poor situational football from the Patriots this season, and perhaps a reason Thursday night’s game was not closer down the stretch.</p>
https://www.patspulpit.com/2022/12/3/23490934/bill-belichick-explains-play-calling-timeout-decisions-second-quarter-two-minute-drill-patriotsBrian Hines2022-12-03T11:00:00-05:002022-12-03T11:00:00-05:00Coping With Loss: Buffalo Bills Edition
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<p>Five positives we can all take away from this most recent loss.</p> <p id="WYSFo7">I know I usually post these <em>Coping With Loss</em> articles on the day after the game. But who really wants to start into the weekend by reliving that Bills game in any capacity? So, may as well just push it back one day.</p>
<p id="t9MJP4"><strong>Expected loss. </strong>If you had the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> winning this game, I admire your optimism. The 2022 Bills aren’t just a better team than the 2022 Patriots; they’re light years ahead of them across the board. As we were blessed to know for a long time, great teams beat up on mediocre teams, and that’s what happened tonight. What can you do.</p>
<p id="m0hoMA"><strong>Josh Allen is a blast to watch. </strong>I realize that this may not sit well with a lot of folks around here, but I’ve always appreciated great quarterback play, and Buffalo really has something special in Josh Allen. Now I may be singing a very, very different tune if Allen pulls a Tommy B and goes 33-3 against New England over the coming years... but for now, as the Patriots are still very much rebuilding and Buffalo is right smack in the middle of their title window, I’m going to enjoy watching the man play. He’s one of the best in the game right now.</p>
<p id="u831P1"><strong>No more Thursday Night Football. </strong>Thursday Night Football is one of the worst things the NFL has ever done, in my opinion. It’s just a bad product in general, and now you can only watch it if you have Amazon Prime. The Patriots did absolutely nothing to make the case that good games happen on Thursday nights, and I for one am glad I don’t have to even acknowledge that this nonsense exists until next year.</p>
<p id="XlEyMU"><strong>Winnable games coming up. </strong>Vikings and Bills were games the Patriots should lose, because the Vikings and Bills are better than the Patriots. But the Raiders, Cardinals, and Bengals are all winnable games, and in my opinion, must-win games if this team is going to have any shot of sneaking into the playoffs. A three game winning streak would be a great way to get the good vibes back as they close out the year against <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Dolphins</a> and Bills teams that will likely be playing for the division title and possibly even that One Seed.</p>
<p id="ltxG6q"><strong>World Cup! </strong>That other kind of football has been on since last week, and I for one am enjoying the hell out of it. And even if you aren’t a soccer fan, I’d like to hope you’d root for the United States no matter what. The US Men’s National Team is up against a very tough opponent in The Netherlands tomorrow with the opportunity to move on to the Quarterfinals, where they’ll likely have to play Argentina (crap). But an upset over the Netherlands would be huge, and tomorrow’s 10AM game should be a ton of fun to watch, no matter your interest level. So buckle up for a great day of football and let’s go US!</p>
https://www.patspulpit.com/2022/12/3/23489224/coping-with-loss-buffalo-bills-editionAlec Shane2022-12-02T16:31:30-05:002022-12-02T16:31:30-05:00Tristan Vizcaino, Bill Murray revert to Patriots’ practice squad following Week 13 elevations
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<img alt="NFL: OCT 24 Bears at Patriots" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/etyDP8QZIyjYB-q_TsyMYI6dVDs=/0x0:3900x2600/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71702859/1244228068.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Both checked in on special teams Thursday night at Gillette Stadium.</p> <p id="MftRqP">After serving as <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/2022/12/1/23488750/new-england-patriots-elevate-bill-murray-tristan-vizcaino-from-practice-squad-vs-buffalo-bills">standard elevations</a> against the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a>, kicker Tristan Vizcaino and guard Bill Murray reverted to the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a>’ practice squad on Friday.</p>
<p id="1tBLPw">In the 24-10 loss at Gillette Stadium, both made their post-preseason debuts for the organization on special teams.</p>
<p id="cRcKMM">Vizcaino, 26, took on the role of kickoff specialist Thursday night with incumbent kicker Nick Folk handling two field goals, one extra point and an onside attempt. The University of Washington product’s kickoffs traveled 58 yards and 55 yards and were returned to the Buffalo 18 and 25, respectively. Originally signed following a tryout at mandatory minicamp, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Vizcaino rejoined the Patriots for his third stint on the practice squad last month after going 2-for-2 on field goals and 3-for-3 on extra points for the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a>. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2018.</p>
<p id="YQSuQS">Murray, 25, logged his third and final standard elevation of the regular season against the Bills amid attrition on the offensive line. After previously staying in uniform on the sideline versus the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> and <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a>, the converted defensive tackle saw three snaps as a blocker on the field-goal and PAT unit in the AFC East matchup. Murray, listed at 6-foot-4, 295 pounds, spent the duration of his initial two NFL campaigns on New England’s practice squad after arriving out of William & Mary as part of the 2020 undrafted class.</p>
<p id="C4mPso">One opening remains on the practice squad following the reversions.</p>
<p id="Eixxv2">Up next for the 6-6 Patriots is a visit with the 4-8 Cardinals on Monday, Dec. 12. Kickoff at State Farm Stadium is set 8:15 p.m. ET.</p>
https://www.patspulpit.com/2022/12/2/23490285/tristan-vizcaino-bill-murray-revert-to-new-england-patriots-practice-squad-after-buffalo-bills-lossOliver Thomas2022-12-02T16:00:00-05:002022-12-02T16:00:00-05:00Patriots vs. Bills injury analysis: Jakobi Meyers leaves Week 13 loss with head injury
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<img alt="Buffalo Bills v New England Patriots" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/T4wCiZTWWclGq4yztoS2hh973HE=/697x143:3334x1901/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71703134/1446155458.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/2022/12/2/23489486/patriots-vs-bills-week-13-snap-counts-marcus-jones-sees-a-role-on-offense">Patriots vs. Bills snap counts: Offensive line goes wire-to-wire despite obvious limitations</a></p> <p id="Y3SLMG">The <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a>’ game against the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> on Thursday night was a major disappointment, with the team losing 24-10 in front of a home crowd. There are few positives to take away from the contest, but one might be the fact that the injury list did not appear to be growing substantially.</p>
<p id="NBodtj">Let’s take a look at who was either announced as injured during the game or caught our eye after re-watching the contest.</p>
<h3 id="sFsnpZ">Injury analysis</h3>
<p id="FKCG0w"><strong>OT Conor McDermott:</strong> Starting in place of regular starter Isaiah Wynn (foot) and backup Yodny Cajuste (calf), McDermott was slow to get up after coming down hard on his back on a Rhamondre Stevenson run in the first quarter. He did eventually make it back into the huddle and in fact did not miss a single offensive snap on the day.</p>
<p id="7jEmwg"><strong>OT Trent Brown:</strong> Brown was added to the injury report on Thursday morning because of an illness, but he went on to join McDermott and the rest of the offensive line in playing all 54 offensive snaps. That said, the veteran left tackle did not appear to be at full strength, and seemingly ran out of gas down the stretch.</p>
<p id="RSlUWc"><strong>QB Mac Jones:</strong> Jones had to run away from pressure on several instances in the fourth quarter, and after one such play was a bit slow to get up. Following a 5-yard scramble on a 3rd-and-6, he took his time to get on his feet again. He did, however, and immediately went back directing the offense for the upcoming fourth down. Jones would also not miss any time and end it with a 100 percent playing-time share.</p>
<p id="lJWAMz"><strong>WR Jakobi Meyers:</strong> The most notable injury on Thursday night came in the fourth quarter, with wide receiver Jakobi Meyers staying down after absorbing a hard hit in the end zone — one that led to Bills safety Damar Hamlin getting ejected. He left the field under his own power and was later checked out by trainers on the sidelines. Meyers eventually departed for the blue medical tent and was later announced as questionable to return due to a head injury.</p>
<h3 id="W6SllT">What this means for the Patriots</h3>
<p id="TrHZYd">Mac Jones is the biggest name on the list above, but it does not look like him being slow to get up after his fourth-quarter scramble was an indication for any injury. The same is true for Trent Brown and Connor McDermott, who may not have been at full strength but should both be fine moving forward.</p>
<p id="1TYKnj">Meyers’ status, on the other hand, is less clear. While he told reporters after the game that he would be fine, he will likely undergo additional testing after suffering a head injury. Luckily for him and the team, the Patriots will be off for a mini-bye before their trip to Arizona and Las Vegas the next two weeks.</p>
<p id="3IlkX9">With the Patriots set to play the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Cardinals</a> next Monday, their first injury report of the week will be released on Thursday. It should give us more clarity about Meyers’ status, and those of his teammates.</p>
https://www.patspulpit.com/2022/12/2/23490572/patriots-vs-bills-week-13-injury-analysis-meyers-jonesBernd Buchmasser