The Patriots snapped their losing streak Sunday with a comeback 29-25 win over the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium. Mac Jones threw for 272 yards and two touchdowns, the offensive line kept him protected and Demario Douglas continued to be a bright spot for New England.
Douglas finished the win with 20 rushing yards on one carry while racking up 54 rushing yards on four receptions. The rookie has continued to make the most of his playing time, and it will be interesting to see what his role is once JuJu Smith-Schuster returns from concussion protocol.
On the latest episode of “Eye On Foxborough,” MassLive Patriots reporters Chris Mason and Mark Daniels discussed the win, what Jones must continue to do if he’s going to be the starting quarterback beyond this year and how Douglas coming up in big moments is reason enough to keep giving him consistent playing time even when Smith-Schuster returns.
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“You’re seeing him come up just in big moments. The first play the game Mac Jones threw a nine-yard pass to Pop Douglas. Later later in that quarter, he catches a 10-yard ball when it’s 2nd-and-10,” Daniels said. “I believe it was 3rd-and-1 and Mac goes right back to the rookie, catches a ball for 16 yards. And we saw him get involved in the run game. He took a he took a handoff made, this guy just look absolute silly, ran for 20 yards. And oh yeah, he took a punt return back 25 yards and that drive that actually helped set up a field goal.
“I’m not lying when I say this: Pop Douglas is a weapon. He’s probably one of the most dynamic weapons the Patriots have, and I thought a big thing that was working for them today. And this isn’t great news for a veteran on the roster was that Pop Douglas was their main slot receiver,” he added. “And that is because Juju Smith-Schuster was inactive because I believe he’s still in the concussion protocol. But even when he comes back, they have to keep Pop Douglas in this lineup even if that means benching Juju Smith-Schuster and lessening his role.
Mason agreed, adding Douglas could be someone who helps make explosive plays for the Patriots.
“I agree with that strongly. Especially given just what I think the shape of JuJu’s knee is right now where he just doesn’t look explosive,” he said. “He doesn’t and that’s the word that comes to mind with Pop is every time he has the ball in his hands, you feel like he could make an explosive play. And this team lacks that.
“I think one thing that’s helped Mac Jones, too, is starting to really realize who his go-to guys are. And I think you saw that in this game where you’re leading receivers are Pop (and) Kendrick Bourne,” Mason added. “On the game-winning drive, a crucial third down where does he go? Hunter Henry. … It’s alarming that the names that aren’t in that mix are JuJu, who was obviously inactive, Davate Parker, Tyquan Thornton. I don’t know what you do moving forward, but i think Mac has his guys.”
It’s unclear if Smith-Schuster will return next week, but it will certainly be interesting to see what Bill Belichick decides to do with his lineup once he does clear concussion protocol.
The Patriots have a lot of momentum on their side as they now prepare for a Week 8 matchup against the 5-1 Miami Dolphins on the road.
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