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.
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For a team that is always looking for hidden value on the roster, Hunters early impact matters because special teams can swing games that are otherwise decided by thin margins. His work in that phase helped tilt the field against Buffalo, and it has given the Patriots another young player worth watching as the season moves on. [Read more 🡒]
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Drake Maye Just Gave Patriots Fans Another Reason To Believe
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For a Patriots team still looking to define its identity, those are the kinds of performances that matter beyond the weekly award. Mayes rise is starting to become part of the conversation around New England again, and with the next game on the schedule, the challenge now is turning one encouraging showing into a consistent stretch that keeps the momentum moving in the right direction. [Read more 🡒]