PFF’s Best and Worst Patriots Grades of Week 9 (at Tennessee)

The New England Patriots entered their Week 9 game against the Tennessee Titans, coming off a victory over the New York Jets. Tennessee entered the game with a 1-6 record, one of the few NFL teams below New England. It was an excellent opportunity for the Patriots to pick up their third win of the season.

Tennessee scored on the game’s opening drive, but New England took a 10-7 lead in the third quarter. A Titans touchdown with 4:25 remaining in regulation, followed by a Patriots punt, seemed to seal the victory. However, New England’s defense forced a three-and-out, giving Drake Maye and the offense the ball at the 50-yard line after a 25-yard punt return by Marcus Jones. Maye led the Patriots 50 yards to the end zone in 1:45 to tie the game as time expired.

DRAKE MAYE! RHAMONDRE STEVENSON! @PATRIOTS TIE IT UP! pic.twitter.com/ThCEJxhA0b

— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2024

Unfortunately for New England, the dramatic finish became a footnote in another loss. The Titans kicked a field goal to start overtime. Tennessee safety Jaylin Hooker then intercepted Maye for the second time of the afternoon on New England’s OT possession, sealing the 20-17 Tennessee win.

Also Read – Ten Takeaways From the Patriots 20-17 OT Loss to the Titans

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

Five Patriots players earned a score of 75.0 or better against the Jets, a vast improvement from recent weeks. Five others received grades above 70.0. Two special teams players led the honor roll this week.

ST Marcellas Dial Jr. (91.4)

The rookie cornerback has established himself as a core special teams player for the Patriots this season. Dial made two of the three special teams tackles for New England on Sunday. It marked his first multi-tackle game of the season on special teams.

ST Brenden Schooler (90.9)

The third New England Patriots special teams tackle in Tennessee was made by Brenden Schooler. He now has three games this season with grades of 85.0 or better. After an uncharacteristically poor score in Week 7 (50.7), it was a nice bounce-back performance.

DT Daniel Ekuale (84.4)

It’s been mentioned many times in this space that a run-stuffing defensive tackle needs to be dominant to receive a good grade. Ekuale did just that on Sunday. He recorded 4 tackles, two stops, and added a quarterback hit.

LB Jahlani Tavai (80.8)

A year after winning the Tom Brady Award as Patriots MVP, Tavai has struggled in 2024. That changed in Tennessee when Tavai enjoyed his most productive game of the season. PFF credited him with a team-high nine tackles. Tavai also registered four stops and two quarterback pressures. He recorded his first interception of the season, picking off Mason Rudolph in the end zone.

The @Patriots get the ball back on a tip drill INT!

📺: #NEvsTEN on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/ksmmbl5RTJ

— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2024

DE Deatrich Wise Jr. (75.5)

Like Tavai, Wise is a usually dependable veteran who has underperformed for New England this season. And also like Tavai, he played his best game of the year on Sunday. He amassed three quarterback pressures and a sack. It marked his first grade over 70.0 since Week 2.

Other top performers: ST Isaiah Bolden (73.4), RB Rhamondre Stevenson (71.5), DL Jaquelin Roy (71.3), TE Hunter Henry (71.0), PR Marcus Jones (70.3).

DISHONORABLE ROLL

Players included here received grades below 60.0 for the game. Despite a close final score, there are still way too many players in this group. Twenty-one players scored below 60.0 for the game. Having more than twice as many players on this list than the honor roll is not a winning formula for the Patriots or any other team.

C Ben Brown (32.9)

Brown received the lowest grade on the team in Week 9, indicative of an offensive line that continues to struggle. He allowed four quarterback pressures and a sack. His pass-blocking grade of 38.3 was the lowest of the Patriots offensive linemen. Brown’s run-blocking game was also unflattering at 42.9. The center committed three penalties, bringing down his overall score even further.

RG Layden Robinson (44.9)

Robinson started the game at right guard for New England, playing 21 offensive snaps. Jerod Mayo pulled him to get better help on the interior, specifically to block Jeffrey Simmons. Robinson allowed two pressures and was flagged for holding in his limited sample size.

ST Sione Takitaki (46.8)

PFF credited Takitaki with a missed tackle on a Jha’Quan Jackson kickoff return. It was the lone missed tackle on special teams for the Patriots and enough to lane Takitaki on dishonorable mention here.

S Dell Pettus (48.5)

New England found themselves shorthanded at safety once again, with Jabrill Peppers on the NFL Commissioner’s Exempt List and Kyle Dugger dealing with an ankle injury. Marte Mapu and Jaylinn Hawkins started, but the UDFA saw 42 snaps on defense. The grade feels harsh. Pettus made five tackles. Tennesse was 2-for-2 targeting him but only picked up 14 yards. He received a defensive holding penalty.

Others who struggled: CB Christian Gonzalez (50.1), WR Kayshon Boutte (50.3), DT Davon Godchaux (51.3), LG Michael Jordan (51.4), CB Jonathan Jones (53.7), LB Christian Elliss (54.1), TE Austin Hooper (54.2), ST Ochaun Mathis (54.4), S Marte Mapu (54.9), ST Jaheim Bell (55.3), OL Mike Onwenu (55.8), DL Jeremiah Pharms Jr. (55.9), DE Keion White (56.0), S Jaylinn Hawkins (57.3), CB Marco Wilson (59.0), LT Vederian Lowe (59.5), ST Jahlani Tavai (59.6).

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 travel to play the Chicago Bears in Week 10. The Bears have lost two straight, including a blowout 29-9 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. This could be another opportunity for the Patriots to notch a victory, but they’ll need vast improvement from the 21 players scoring below 60.0 in Week 9 if they hope to do so.