The Patriots left Week 4 with a win over Buffalo and a fresh reminder that their defense can make life miserable for a top tight end. Dalton Kincaid came into the game leading all NFL tight ends with 263 receiving yards, plus six catches of at least 20 yards. New England took that away almost completely, holding him to one catch for seven yards in a 29-26 victory that moved the Patriots to 2-2.
That performance set the stage for an even tougher assignment. On Sunday at Gillette Stadium, Mike Vrabel’s defense gets Las Vegas and Brock Bowers, a player Vrabel didn’t try to downplay.
"Brock is as elite as they come at that position," Vrabel said Monday."So, we'll have a huge challenge."
Bowers has already piled up 192 career receptions, breaking Jason Witten’s previous NFL record for a tight end younger than 24. He has also reached 2,076 career receiving yards, tying Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow Sr. as the second-fastest tight end to get to 2,000 yards. Only Mike Ditka did it faster.
The Raiders come in at 3-1, and Bowers and Michael Mayer have both played major roles in their offense.
Vrabel said the Patriots’ answer against Kincaid came from steady coverage and smart adjustments.
"Felt like good coverage all day, being able to mix zone and mix man," Vrabel explained.
New England got help from all over the field in that effort. Kevin Byard helped set the tone by breaking up an early Josh Allen throw intended for Kincaid, while Robert Spillane and Dre’Mont Jones helped disrupt routes and take away passing lanes.
Still, Bowers is a different kind of problem. The Patriots showed they can smother an elite tight end, but doing it again against one of the league’s most dangerous offensive weapons will be a far bigger challenge. If they can pull it off, they’ll have another statement win on their hands.
In Other News...
Bills Fans Will Feel Mitch Morses Heartbreaking Family News
Mitch Morse shared heartbreaking family news this week, announcing the death of his younger brother Robbie, who passed away last week at 30. Robbie had lived with lifelong disabilities after suffering severe brain trauma as an infant, and the Morse family had long been open about his story, turning their private struggle into something many football fans came to know over the years.
The loss is one that will resonate in Buffalo, where Morse spent part of his career and built a strong connection with the fan base. Condolences poured in from across the NFL, including from former teammates and multiple teams, a reminder of how widely Robbies story was felt beyond one locker room. [Read more 🡒]
Bills Suddenly Have A Problem They May Need To Trade For
The Bills 29-26 loss to the Patriots did more than dent the standings. It also pushed a familiar concern back into the spotlight: a secondary that is being asked to hold up while the defense adjusts to Jim Leonhards system, all while injuries keep stripping away experienced options. Buffalo has had to lean on less seasoned defensive backs, and the results have made the back end look like a spot that could use help sooner rather than later.
With the trade deadline still on the horizon in 2026, the question is whether Buffalo waits for its current group to stabilize or starts looking outside the building for reinforcements. The need is obvious enough after a night like this, but the challenge is finding a move that actually fits both the Bills defense and the urgency created by a thin, banged-up secondary. [Read more 🡒]
Bills Face A Risky Tyreek Hill Decision With AFC Stakes
Tyreek Hill is expected to land with an NFL team soon after working his way back from a season-ending injury and being released by the Dolphins, and the Bills are one of the clubs that could wind up in the mix. NFL insider Albert Breer pointed to Buffalo and Kansas City as the two most obvious fits, which makes sense given how both early AFC contenders could use help at wide receiver and have enough ambition to think beyond simple depth.
For Buffalo, the appeal is obvious and the risk is just as clear. Hill would give the offense another dangerous weapon, but the Bills would also be weighing his recovery and age against the possibility that the Chiefs could get there first. In a conference where every edge matters, the decision is less about whether Hill can help and more about how much a contender wants to bet on what he still has left. [Read more 🡒]