The Patriots’ early season triumph at Buffalo last season was part of the 10-game winning streak that helped propel them on a Super Bowl run following a 1-2 start.
asserted
that → propel → start
The Patriots are 2-2 on the season after handing their division rivals their first loss in the new Highmark Stadium.
asserted
Patriots → hand → Stadium
Following a week of questions about quarterback Drake Maye’s struggles, poor offensive execution and a mounting number of injuries, their performance for the moment has brought a sense of confidence back to the defending AFC champions.
asserted
performance → follow → champions
We ain’t dead!
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We → ai → ?
We ain’t dead!” defensive tackle Cory Durden shouted as he embraced coach Mike Vrabel on his way to the locker room Sunday.
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he → ai → room
Vrabel was equally succinct in describing what the win meant for his team.
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win → describe → team
“Gets us back in the race,” he said.
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he → get → race
He wasn’t spotless, throwing his seventh interception of the season and losing a fumble.
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He → throw → fumble
But he was poised with the game on the line, leading the Patriots on an eight-play, 73-yard drive that ended with Efton Chism III’s diving, one-handed, go-ahead catch in the end zone.
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that → poise → zone
It capped a day that saw Maye throw for a season-high 269 yards and three TDs.
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Maye → cap → yards
It ended his two-game drought without a TD pass.
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It → end → pass
“Everybody understands how the quarterback has to perform in this league for the team to have success,” Vrabel said.
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Vrabel → understand → success
“Everybody does have his back, starting with me and everybody all the way down.
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Everybody → have → me
What’s working
Chism is the latest example of the Patriots’ history of finding success with undrafted free agents.
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Chism → work → agents
Signed after the 2025 NFL draft, he appeared in just eight games as a rookie, catching each of his three targets for 75 yards, with one touchdown.
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he → sign → touchdown
He already has played in three of the four games this season, with seven targets and four catches for 41 yards.
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He → play → yards
What needs help
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What → need → help
As excited as the Patriots were to see Chism come up big after Mack Hollins’ injury, there are mounting concerns at wide receiver.
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Chism → see → receiver
Vrabel acknowledged Monday that Hollins likely would miss a couple of days of practice, putting his availability for Sunday’s game in jeopardy.
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Hollins → acknowledge → jeopardy
That would leave the Patriots down another top receiver, with A.J. Brown still on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain.
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That → leave → sprain
Signing another receiver is a possibility.
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Signing → sign → receiver
“Sure, anybody that could help us,” Vrabel said.
uncertain
Vrabel → help → us
Following a rough debut in the season-opening loss to Seattle, Doubs is starting to show why the Patriots signed him to a four-year, $70 million deal this offseason.
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Patriots → follow → deal
He had his first two touchdown catches of the season and is tied for second on the team with 12 receptions.
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He → have → receptions
With the Bills trailing 14-7 and facing a third-and-goal on the New England 16, he received an unsportsmanlike conduct for arguing a defensive holding penalty on Marcus Jones.
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he → trail → Jones
Vrabel said he told the official it was a “terrible effing call.”
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it → say → official
The penalty, along with Jones’ initial infraction, put the ball on the 6.
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penalty → put → 6
The Bills tied the game following a TD run by Josh Allen two plays later.
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Bills → tie → Allen
“I’ve said that 87 times since I’ve been a head coach.
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I → say → that
You’d have to ask him.
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You → have → him
I think he was a little sensitive,” Vrabel said.
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Vrabel → think → ?
“I apologized to him.
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I → apologize → him
Players responded, it was unfortunate.
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it → respond → ?
And I have to be better in those moments.”
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I → have → moments
Cornerback Charles Woods left the game with a shoulder injury but was able to return. ...
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Woods → leave → injury
Tight end Eli Raridon and fullback Reggie Gilliam also left the game with ankle injuries.
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Raridon → leave → injuries
Key number
29 — In their first three games this season, the Patriots scored only 29 points in 30 drives.
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Patriots → score → drives
They had 29 points in their 12 drives against the Bills.
asserted
They → have → Bills
Next steps
The Patriots host the the Las Vegas Raiders (3-1) on Sunday.
asserted
Patriots → host → Sunday
The Aporia
