New England Patriots - NESN.com
The New England Patriots are going to learn a lot about themselves on Sunday…
New England captured what can best be described as a “signature win” against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, finally capitalizing on some momentum and earning back-to-back victories for the first time in three seasons — and are now looking to make it three straight.
It’ll be easier said than done, though.
The New Orleans Saints are expected to be more challenging than their record might indicate, which is one of a few storylines worth watching with regard to the game itself:
Rhamondre Stevenson’s fumbling issues reared their ugly head this weekend, as he put another one on the ground before bouncing back with two touchdowns on the road in an extremely hostile environment.
I don’t exactly know where that performance leaves us, to be honest.
Stevenson can’t really be taken out of the lineup, as he remains the only do-it-all member of the backfield with TreVeyon Henderson struggling to get things going and Antonio Gibson headed toward injured reserve. The Patriots haven’t handed out any repercussions for his fumbles to this point, and almost certainly won’t start now — unless…
The Saints forced five turnovers last weekend — including three by way of the fumble — in their win over the New York Giants.
Stevenson’s struggles will put a target in his back for a unit that is proficient in the peanut punch, which might force some sort of change in the rotation — either before, during or after the game.
The Saints have put together an above-average defensive unit, which is led by veterans on all three levels — defensive lineman Cameron Jordan, linebacker Demario Davis and safety Justin Reid.
Drake Maye will have his hands full against that group, which is the first he’s faced all season without an obvious flaw.
The Patriots could look to attack the middle of their zone-heavy unit, which means more targets for the likes of Stefon Diggs, Hunter Henry and Rhamondre Stevenson.
The Saints are fast.
Rasheed Shaheed has statistically been the fastest player in the NFL in 2025, reaching 22.72 mph on his touchdown reception Sunday. Chris Olave ran a 4.39 second forty-yard dash during the 2022 NFL Draft Combine.
It’s going to be difficult to keep a lid on those two guys, especially with two cornerbacks — Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III — recovering from injuries.
Marcus Jones might draw more responsibility in this one than he normally would.
Stefon Diggs’ maturation process is second to none, and if you don’t believe us, just go back and listen to his pregame interview last week — he told us himself!
I can’t say he was lying, though, as he gave perhaps the soundest advice of anyone who dished out an opinion regarding this matchup during the week.
“It might be a bigger test than last week, just as...
