Boutte had the best game of his career the last time the Bills and Patriots met
The New England Patriots are on track to finish in last place in the AFC East for the second consecutive year. They’re on track to have the first-overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, a draft position they haven’t occupied since the 1993 NFL Draft when they selected quarterback Drew Bledsoe.
The Buffalo Bills have nothing to play for this weekend, as they’re already locked into the two seed in the AFC. They’ll host the seven seed in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs, and while their opponent could vary, the location will not, as the Bills will play in Highmark Stadium. With a win, their second playoff game will be at home, as well.
With One Bills Drive set to rest starters, the Patriots may find themselves with a better chance at victory this week. Given how close the game was two weeks ago when the Bills were still trying hard to have a chance at the AFC’s top seed, it’s reasonable to assume that New England will be motivated to finish the job and win this time. However, the Pats lose with a win, as they just might knock themselves out of pole position for that first-overall pick in April.
It’s a quick turnaround for a “five players to watch” article on a team we just discussed, but the schedule-makers have given us this task, and we aren’t going to shy away from it. Here are our five Patriots to watch this week.
QB Drake Maye
Will he play the whole way? Will he be as effective as he was two weeks ago? Maye has been limited in practice this week with a right hand injury, but after watching how well he played against the Bills two weeks ago, I’m intrigued to see him again.
The future is bright for the rookie from North Carolina, as he has plus-athleticism, good arm strength, and excellent ball placement on his throws. Maye was dynamite in the first half against Buffalo last time, completing 14-of-20 passes for 159 yards and a score, adding 11 rushing yards on two carries. In the second half, the Bills clamped down on him, allowing Maye to complete just 50% of his passes (8/16) for 102 yards with a touchdown, an interception, and a lost fumble that Taron Johnson recovered for a touchdown.
The adjustments that Maye makes will be interesting to see in his second go-round against Buffalo.
WR Kayshon Boutte
Coming into the game against Buffalo, Boutte had never caught more than four passes in a game, had never eclipsed 60 receiving yards in a game, and had just one receiving touchdown over his two-year career. Against Buffalo, he had the best game of his career, catching five passes for 95 yards and a score, a beautiful first-quarter touchdown where he burned cornerback Kaiir Elam and Maye dropped a dime into the end zone. Similar to Maye, though, Boutte was more effective in the first half than he was in the second. Boutte caught three passes for 64 yards and the aforementioned score before intermission, catching just two passes for 31 yards after halftime.
With the Bills likely to play their reserve secondary yet again, it will be itneresting to see if the Bills play more coverage or continue to dial up pressure against the Patriots like they did in the first meeting. The Bills can’t let Boutte beat them this week.
C Cole Strange
With starting center Ben Brown likely to miss his second-straight game thanks to a concussion, it will likely be up to Strange to handle the pivot once again in his place. The team’s unofficial depth chart lists Lecitus Smith as the backup center, but it was Strange who took all 53 snaps there last week in Brown’s absence. Maye was pummeled, taking four sacks just a week after looking good against Buffalo’s defense. The Los Angeles Chargers dominated the Patriots to the tune of a 40-7 demolition.
Look for the Bills to try and confuse the Patriots’ protection scheme with some A-gap mug looks. A rookie quarterback and a backup center need to be toyed with, and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich should be ready to show some fun looks — but not too many in a game that doesn’t matter.
CB Alex Austin
The former Bills’ draft pick is set to start again this week, and with Christian Gonzalez iffy to play thanks to a concussion, it could be Austin and veteran Jonathan Jones as the two main outside corners for New England. Austin intercepted Josh Allen last season as a rookie, and he had a pass breakup this year in the first matchup between these teams.
He might not have made Buffalo’s roster, and he might not have earned more than spot-starter’s reps in New England, but he’s doing well for himself as a former seventh-round pick.
S Kyle Duggar
I maintain that Duggar in head coach Sean McDermott’s defense could be absolutely outstanding. We’ll likely never know, but the Bills have a well-earned reputation for coaxing every bit of talent out of their safeties, and Duggar is exceptionally talented.
He’s dealing with ankle and quad injuries, and while he’s logged two limited practices this week, it’s possible that he sits given the futile nature of this game. However, if he’s able to go, the Bills need to know where he is and account for him at all times.