PFF’s Best and Worst Patriots Grades of Week 8

The New England Patriots entered their Week 8 game against the New York Jets on a six-game losing streak. New England emerged with a 25-22 win. It was far from a flawless performance against a struggling Jets team. But there are no bonus points given out for beauty, and New England earned the right to celebrate their first victory since the season opener.

New England trailed 13-7 at halftime. They lost starting quarterback Drake Maye to a concussion in the second quarter. Their receivers struggled to catch the ball. The defense played without five starters from the beginning of training camp. Jacoby Brissett came on in relief, his first game action in three weeks. It would have been easy for the Patriots to roll over and drop another game, but they fought back and won. They deserved to enjoy the win.

Home win.@budlight | #EasyToCelebrate pic.twitter.com/euu35Vpk0s

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 27, 2024

A more positive outcome means a more report card for the New England Patriots this week. Not everyone earned a spot on the honor roll, but the number increased from recent games.

Also Read – Ten Takeaways From the Patriots 25-22 Win Over the Jets

Following each game, Patriots Football Now posts which players received the best and worst grades from Pro Football Focus for that week. The PFF scale goes from 0-to-100. A grade below 60.0 is indicative of being replaceable by a non-roster player. Pro Bowl grades are 85.0 and higher.

A look at the Patriots who stood out, for better or worse in Week 8 (note: players must play a minimum of 20 snaps to qualify, other than special teams):

HONOR ROLL

Seven Patriots players earned a score of 75.0 or better against the Jets, a vast improvement from recent weeks. Four others received grades above 70.0. Dell Pettus gets counted twice here, as he made the honor roll as a safety and a special teams player.

QB Drake Maye (93.6)

Maye barely qualified, as he only played 20 offensive snaps before exiting with a head injury. The starting quarterback made the most of his opportunities. He finished 3-for-6 passing for 23 yards. Only one pass was not catchable, but it also had no chance of being intercepted. Maye ran for 46 yards on three carries, including a touchdown. It is the highest PFF score for a Patriots starting quarterback since 2017 (Tom Brady).

DRAKE MAYE. 17-yard rushing TD for the rookie!

📺: #NYJvsNE on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/QCLpeTf9xG

— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024

PR Marcus Jones (87.6)

The 2022 All-Pro punt returner had a solid but unspectacular start to 2024 on special teams. He was averaging 10.3 yards per return on 12 attempts. Jones’ longest return in the first seven weeks was 16 yards, though he had a return of at least 10 yards in five of six games. Marcus Jones was spectacular against the Jets, returning three punts for 72 yards. This included a 62-yard return to set up New England’s first score of the second half and bring the home crowd to life.

DE Keion White (78.8)

White enjoyed a hot start to the season but had been less of a factor in recent weeks. He came to life on Sunday. The defensive end received the highest grade among Patriots defenders. He recorded a team-high four quarterback pressures, including a QB hit. White made four tackles, including three stops, and caused a one-yard loss when targeted in coverage.

TE Hunter Henry (78.3)

The New England Patriots lacked sure-handed receivers yesterday, but their starting tight end was not among them. Patriots quarterbacks targeted Henry six times. He finished with five receptions for 45 yards. His catches converted three first downs, He led New England in receptions and first downs receiving. His run-block grade (59.2) prevented Henry from scoring even higher in Week 8.

ST Dell Pettus (77.6)

As stated previously in this space, how PFF grades for special teams are handed out is less clear than with other positions. Occasionally, players make no tackles or noticeable blocks and score the highest on the team. Pettus did make one special teams tackle on Sunday and earned the highest grade for the coverage units.

S Dell Pettus (75.9)

Back-to-back for Pettus, this time as a safety. He scored the highest among all Patriots defensive backs in the game. He made four tackles and a stop on defense (in addition to his special teams tackle) and was not targeted in coverage. Pettus did not start the game for New England but ended up playing more defensive snaps than starter Jaylinn Hawkins. The UDFA continues to show he belongs in his rookie year in New England.

CB Jonathan Jones (75.2)

The New England Patriots used Jonathan Jones all over the field against the Jets. In addition to his usual role at safety, he lined up in the box, and at free safety. It was Jones’ first game with more than two snaps as a free safety since Week 3 in 2021. He recorded one tackle and was not targeted. He earned the second-highest coverage grade of the week, behind only Christian Gonzalez.

Other top performers: ST Raekwon McMillan (72.4), LB Anfernee Jennings (71.8), LB Christian Elliss (71.6), RB Rhamondre Stevenson (70.3).

DISHONORABLE ROLL

Players included here received grades below 60.0 for the game. Despite the number of players receiving positive grades increasing, this list is still far too long. Sixteen players qualified for the dishonorable roll, a number needing lowering if New England wants to keep winning.

DT Jaquelin Roy (33.6)

Roy started in place of the injured Daniel Ekuale for the New England Patriots. He finished with three tackles (one solo) and a stop. He added one quarterback pressure. As stated here numerous times, unless a run-stuffing defensive tackle has an unbelievable game, their grade will be poor from PFF. It is unclear how his overall grade is so low, given he received a 46.0 for run defense, 53.5 for pass rush, and 71.3 for tackling.

ST Christian Elliss (35.1)

Elliss earned the lowest special teams grade of the week despite being on the honor roll’s honorable mention as a linebacker. His two missed tackles in coverages led to him being on this list. An uncharacteristically poor performance for a player having an exceptional season on special teams to date.

DT Davon Godchaux (41.6)

Much of what applies to Roy is true for Godchaux. He finished the game with five tackles, a stop, and a quarterback hit. However, he received the lowest run defense grade on the team (35.2). This marks two weeks with poor grades (he received a 34.3 vs. Jacksonville) after Godchaux dominated in Week 6 against the Houston Texans.

WR Kendrick Bourne (44.4)

Pro Football Focus gave Bourne one dropped pass for the game, though there was at least one other pass it appeared he should have caught. He played 52 offensive snaps, including 31 passing plays. He was targeted three times and finished with no receptions. It just wasn’t a good performance from a player New England needs to be more dependable, which he acknowledged himself after the game.

Ima play better NE!

— Kendrick Bourne Poly (@BournePoly11) October 27, 2024

S Jaylinn Hawkins (47.4)

Hawkins started at safety with Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers unavailable. New England eventually used Dell Pettus and Jonathan Jones at safety, who both played well. Pro Football Focus credited Hawkins with zero tackles and two missed tackles. He was targeted in coverage twice, with the Jets completing both for 15 yards, including a touchdown.

Others who struggled: ST Brenden Schooler (50.7), C Ben Brown (50.9), LB Jahlani Tavai (51.8), CB Marcus Jones (52.3), ST Marte Mapu (54.7), TE Austin Hooper (56.5), WR Kayshon Boutte (57.1), WR DeMario Douglas (57.2), S Marte Mapu (58.5), OG Michael Jordan (59.1), ST Curtis Jacobs (59.3).

Weekly Disclaimer

Once again, it is important to note that the grades issued by Pro Football Focus are their independent scoring of players’ performances. They do not represent the assessment of Patriots Football Now, as noted with some players above. The reports are used to offer a different perspective on the performances of players in a given game.

The New England Patriots have a game against the Tennessee Titans in Week 9 that has the potential to be another win. But the Patriots need to start subtracting from the number of players winding up on the “dishonorable roll” if they hope to keep their winning ways going.