ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – A return to relevance.
That’s what a 23-20 win over the Payments, on the street in a hostile setting at Highmark Stadium in primetime on nationwide tv on “Sunday Night time Soccer” represented for the Patriots.
For the primary time in years, the Patriots matter. They’re 3-2 and simply beat the Tremendous Bowl favorites of their dwelling stadium.
It was additionally younger quarterback Drake Maye’s first profession game-winning drive, and it couldn’t have are available a extra essential second, outdueling the league’s high quarterback and avoiding turnovers because the opposing followers matched the Payments in all-white apparel.
Tied 20-20 with simply over two minutes left on the clock, the Patriots drove 37 yards on seven performs earlier than rookie kicker Andy Borregales nailed a 52-yard subject purpose. The play that might be remembered got here first, with Maye being dragged to the turf and someway getting the move off to large receiver Stefon Diggs, who appeared like one of the best participant on the sphere towards his former staff, for a 12-yard achieve.
The Payments received the coin toss to start out the night time however elected to defer, giving the Patriots the ball. After an extended 15-yard achieve from ex-Payments large receiver Stefon Diggs on the primary play of the sport, the Patriots couldn’t achieve one other first down and have been compelled to punt.
The Payments have been driving down the sphere earlier than a botched handoff led to a fumble, which Patriots rookie defensive sort out Joshua Farmer shortly jumped on for the restoration.
On the Patriots’ very subsequent snap, quarterback Drake Maye accomplished a 7-yard move to Rhamondre Stevenson, however he had the ball punched out for his third fumble of the season. The protection bailed out Stevenson by forcing one other punt with a improbable third-down move breakup from cornerback Marcus Jones over a lot taller large receiver Keon Coleman.
Stevenson was instantly changed by Antonio Gibson, however he got here again onto the sphere later within the Patriots’ fourth offensive drive, which finally ended with one other punt.
After a penalty pushed the Payments again to their very own 7-yard line, Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane induced Coleman to fumble. It was recovered by security Jaylin Hawkins for the Patriots’ second takeaway of the sport. The Patriots couldn’t achieve a primary down, however Borregales hit a 30-yard subject purpose to take a 3-0 lead.
The Patriots’ protection bent however didn’t break and compelled a 31-yard subject purpose from veteran kicker Matt Prater, tying the rating at 3-3.
After the Patriots punted once more, defensive sort out Milton Williams compelled the Payments to punt with a key third-down sack.
The Patriots drove downfield with the assistance of some Payments penalties. With 4 seconds remaining within the half and on the Payments’ 1-yard line, Maye focused Hunter Henry for a landing, however the veteran tight finish wasn’t prepared for the ball. With 1 second left, they settled for a subject purpose to take a 6-3 lead into the half.
The self-inflicted errors subsided for the Payments to start out the second half as they drove 71 yards for a landing on a 6-yard move from QB Josh Allen to large receiver Curtis Samuel to take a 10-6 lead.
The Patriots responded with authority on a five-play, 74-yard drive with two lengthy completions from Maye to Diggs. Stevenson plowed ahead for a brief landing run, and the Patriots took a 13-10 lead.
The Payments acquired down into the crimson zone on a 52-yard drive, earlier than Jones made a diving interception on a goal over the center to Khalil Shakir.
Maye and the Patriots’ offense then marched 90 yards on 11 performs with Diggs accounting for 52 yards. Stevenson scored on a pitch left from 7 yards out to place the Patriots forward 20-10.
Allen reponded with an 8-play, 74-yard march and hit Coleman ultimately zone from 2 yards out for his second passing landing of the day to chop the Patriots’ result in 20-17. Again-to-back private foul penalties on Patriots defensive tackles Cory Durden and Joshua Farmer have been expensive.
Talking of expensive penalties, Patriots offensive sort out Vederian Lowe was flagged for a false begin on third-and-1, pushing the Patriots again earlier than a Maye sack. The Patriots punted to the Payments and, as soon as once more, bent however didn’t break to permit a subject purpose, netting the rating at 20-20. Cornerback Christian Gonzalez compelled the sphere purpose with an enormous third-down move breakup.
BEST
WR Stefon Diggs: What a recreation towards his former staff. Diggs led the best way with 10 catches on 12 targets for 146 yards.
QB Drake Maye: The younger quarterback went 22-of-30 for 273 yards and orchestrated his first profession game-winning drive. He averted turnovers and moved the ball when it mattered most.
CB Marcus Jones: Jones picked off Allen late within the third quarter on a diving interception. He compelled a punt with a key move breakup over Coleman earlier within the recreation.
LB Robert Spillane: Spillane compelled a fumble from Coleman that led to the Patriots’ first rating.
DT Milton Williams: The high-priced free agent compelled one other punt with a key third-down sack.
WORST
RB Rhamondre Stevenson: The fumbling points continued. He now has three fumbles in 5 weeks and 10 fumbles relationship to final season. That Stevenson’s fumble got here one play after the Payments coughed up the ball to the Patriots made it all of the extra irritating. It have to be talked about, in fact, that Stevenson did rating two touchdowns. The Patriots might want to rely upon him whatever the fumbling points.
LB Jack Gibbens: A defensive move interference penalty negated an interception late within the fourth quarter.
DT Cory Durden: The younger defensive sort out dedicated a late hit on Josh Allen early within the fourth quarter.
DT Joshua Farmer: On the very subsequent play, Farmer hit operating again James Prepare dinner properly after the play was over. Farmer did additionally get better a fumble.
OT Vederian Lowe: Used as a sixth offensive lineman, Lowe was flagged for a false begin on third-and-1 within the fourth quarter. On third-and-6, Maye ran out of bounds for a sack, and the Patriots have been compelled to punt.
WHAT WE LEARNED
- Diggs is shortly turning into Maye’s favourite goal. It was his second straight recreation with over 100 yards. He’s the primary Patriots receiver with over 100 yards in consecutive video games since Julian Edelman in 2019.
- Working again Antonio Gibson was shortly dominated out with a knee harm after taking a tough hit on a kick return. Gibson fumbled on the play however it was recovered by operating again TreVeyon Henderson.
- That harm solely additional complicates Stevenson’s fumbling points, which have gotten a much bigger and larger drawback by the week. The Patriots can’t bench Stevenson if Gibson is out for an prolonged time period. They will’t solely depend on Henderson and practice-squad operating again Terrell Jennings.
- Linebacker Jahlani Tavai rotated into the protection for starter Christian Elliss and lined up on the sting whereas additionally taking part in on particular groups.
- Left guard Jared Wilson regained his beginning job after lacking final week with ankle and knee accidents, as anticipated.
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