New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills Snaps & Grades: Mac Jones Career-Best Performance?

Patriots Country breaks down the numbers and possible meanings behind the Pats’ playing time in New England’s Week 7 victory over the Buffalo Bills.

FOXBORO — Following their 29-25 victory over the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium, the New England Patriots continue to take stock into their performance on both sides of the ball.

Having turned in their best overall performance of the season, there are still plenty of areas in which the Pats will seek improvement. While game-film analysis will be the main focus, a look at playing time may assist the team in helping devise effective strategies moving forward.

Before turning their attention to the Miami Dolphins in Week 8, here is a final look at the Patriots snap counts, along with a grade for each positional grouping from their win over the Bills. 

OFFENSE

On offense, the Pats overall snap count was 60 versus the Bills

NFL Game Summary: New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills 22 Oct. 2023 - Offense Snaps / NFL Copyright © 2023 by The National Football League

QUARTERBACK

Jones turned in his best performance of 2023 by getting back to basics. The 25-year-old finished the day going 25-of-30 for 272 yards with two touchdowns and a completion percentage of 83.3 percent — his third career game with a completion percentage of at least 80 percent. Particularly on New England's final series, Jones made faster decisions and was more precise in his pass placement. Having engineered three touchdown drives — one of which being the game-winning series with less than two minutes remaining — Jones has helped to quell some of the uneasiness surrounding his ability to perform a in the clutch. Wether he continues his momentum into Week 8 against Miami will be determined in short order. However, Jones has earned the right to savor his laurels this week. 

Grade: A- 

RUNNING BACKS

Though the Pats running game has yet to be fully engaged, the pair of Rhamondre Stevenson (nine carries, 34 yards) and Ezekiel Elliott (11 rushes, 31, and a touchdown) provided a glimpse of the running game’s ability to facilitate play action. Stevenson also shined as a backfield receiver, catching six passes on six targets for 51 yards, including a clutch 34-yard catch and run to start the final drive. While the backs would love to run for greater yardage, O’Brien’s incorporation of the running game in the early sages of the game sets a strong precedent for the remaining games on the Pats schedule. 

Grade: B

RECEIVERS

With receivers DeVante Parker and Tyquan Thornton relegated to minimal duty, the tandem of Kendrick Bourne and rookie Demario Douglas helped bring the positional group to life. Douglas caught four passes for 54 yards, including a 19-yard strike down the seam in the fourth quarter. The Pats sixth-rounder was not only productive as a pass catcher, but he also returned a punt for 25 yards and added a rushing carry for 20 yards. Bourne, save for a potentially game-changing fourth quarter fumble, led all receivers with six catches for 63 yards and a touchdown. Practice squad elevation Jalen Reagor caught only one pass for 11 yards. However, his alignment for 25 of New England’s snaps on offense could be a sign that a promotion to the 53-man roster may be in his future. Reagor is one to watch throughout the week. 

Grade: B

TIGHT ENDS

While their collective statistical tallies may not leap off the page, the Pats trio of ‘tight endage’ played a key role in the team’s offensive success. Team captain Hunter Henry secured a 14-yard strike from Jones on the Pats’ final scoring drive, while Mike Gesicki capped it with a one-yard jump catch in the end zone. Pharaoh Brown was once again an integral part of two key Patriots scoring drives, catching two passes for 51 yards. New England’s tight ends were active blockers in both pass protection and in favor of the run. Overall, the group did exactly what was required of it against Buffalo, with a special nod to Brown going a bit above and beyond the call of duty. 

Grade B+

New England Patriots QB Mac Jones / Getty

OFFENSIVE LINE

After being deservedly-maligned for much of the season to date, New England’s offensive line stepped up in a significant way. Going against a Buffalo defense known for its fearsome pass rush, the Pats held strong — thanks in part to Michael Onwenu reassignment to relight tackle. The move turned out to be effective in keeping Buffalo's typically stout pass-rush away from Jones. In fact, the Pats starter was sacked only once by Buffalo safety Jordan Poyer for a four-yard loss. New England also started rookie Sidy Sow at right guard, while Cole Strange returned to the lineup to provide solid protection at left guard. While Onwenu's is deserved of his praise, Sow looked far more advanced than his rookie experience at right guard, earning a 86.4 PFF grade against the Bills, the second among all guards in Week 7.

Grade: B+

DEFENSE

On defense, the Pats overall snap count was 71 versus the Bills.

NFL Game Summary: New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills 22 Oct. 2023 - Defense Snaps / NFL Copyright © 2023 by The National Football League

DEFENSIVE LINE

New England entered Week 7 with a mission to take away Buffalo’s ownership of the line of scrimmage. They did so with a solid performance from the defensive line. Deatrich Wise set the tone — and the edge — by playing on 96 percent of New England’s defensive snaps. Third-year tackle Christian Barmore logged three tackles (one for loss), a pass breakup and combined for a sack, which dropped Allen for a seven-yard loss. Barmore shared the sack with second-year lineman Sam Roberts, the first such credit of his career. Davon Godchaux did a solid job of keeping the middle clogged, combining five tackles in the process. 

Grade: A-

LINEBACKERS

With the Pats winning their battles up front, New England’s linebackers were surprisingly effective in keeping quarterback Josh Allen out of rhythm and off balance for much of the day. The Pats used big nickel packages featuring Anfernee Jennings at outside linebacker. The Alabama product contributed six tackles (one for loss) while Jahlani Tavai chipped in four tackles as well. Mack Wilson, Sr put the finishing touches on the day by forcing a game-clinching fumble from Allen. In total, the Pats positional group rose above the absences of Matthew Judon, Josh Uche and Keion White — perhaps their most impressive accomplishment. 

Grade: A

CORNERBACKS

In spite of the absence of Christian Gonzalez, the Patriots still maintain an effective lockdown presence at the position with J.C. Jackson along the perimeter. Jackson logged five solo tackles, while Jack Jones contributed four. Though he was hampered by a lingering ankle injury, Jonathan Jones still aligned on 36 snaps. All in all, New England’s cornerback group, with some safety help over the top, held Bills receiver Stefon Diggs to six catches for 58 yards, with one touchdown. Considering the explosive play of which Diggs is capable, the Pats corners’ performance seems a bit more impressive. 

Grade: B

SAFETIES

New England’s safeties enjoyed notable success against a multi-faceted Bills offense. Jabrill Peppers, who played on all but one defensive snap, stood above the rest on Sunday earning nine tackles and an interception of Allen on the Bills’ first offensive snap of the game. Kyle Dugger had seven solo tackles, one of which went for a loss. While tight end Dalton Kincaid did find some flat-level weaknesses in the Pats secondary (catching eight passes for 75 yards,) New England’s safety group held up against most of Buffalo’s offensive advancement in Week 7.  

Grade: B

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