FOXBOROUGH – On paper, it was the type of matchup that looked concerning for the Patriots.
With starting left tackle Will Campbell (knee) and left guard Jared Wilson (ankle) out, the Patriots’ offensive line started two backups against a talented New York Giants defensive line. With two Pro Bowl players, Brian Burns and Dexter Lawrence, as well as the No. 3 overall pick, Abdul Carter, the Giants had enough talent to make Drake Maye’s life miserable.
Instead, the Patriots’ offensive line, with backup left tackle Vederian Lowe and left guard Ben Brown, stepped up and played well in their Monday night win.
“It’s always something we preach as an o-line. We want to be the strongest unit on the field,” right guard Michael Onwenu said. “We know a lot of stuff doesn’t happen, and it goes through the o-line. We know the responsibility. Ben and V-Lowe know the responsibility. Always ready for the next guy up.”
Up until this point, the Patriots had consistency on the offensive line. Entering Monday, the team started the same five players in 11 of their first 12 games. This matchup marked the first time that the Patriots would start two backups on the offensive line this season – and it happened to be on the entire left side with Lowe at left tackle and Brown at left guard.
In the end, Maye was sacked three times and hit twice. Brown was flagged for holding, and no one was called for a false start. In the run game, the Patriots rushed for 119 yards and averaged 4.1 yards per carry.
Burns, who came into this game with 13 sacks, finished with one quarterback hit.
Players credited the coaching staff, namely offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and offensive line coach Doug Marrone, for getting Lowe and Brown ready to play.
“I think Josh had a really great plan for us. Coach Marrone and everyone on the o-line really made sure we were locked in on the game plan,” Brown said. “Vederian and I played together last year as well. We had confidence playing with one another and playing with the rest of the offensive line. I think we did a good job communicating.”
“It’s really just a lot of talking, preparation, making sure we know the game plan in and out,” Lowe added. “Just communicating. Making sure we’re on the same page. We just knew if we talked to one another, we’d be fine.”
Players also noted that Lowe and Brown’s experience helped.
Last season, Lowe started 13 games at left tackle. He also played most of that season with a torn labrum and needed offseason surgery. Monday marked his first start of the 2025 season. Brown started 10 games at center last season for the Patriots. This year, he started one game at left guard against Carolina.
“We have all the confidence in the world in Ben and V. Coaches did a great job getting those guys ready,” center Garrett Bradbury said. “I think mentally, those guys have been ready all season for the opportunity. Vrabel always talks about taking advantage of the opportunity. I played next to Ben this season already, and Vederian’s been a starter in this league. It’s not like it was crazy new for him.”
