PFF’s Best and Worst Patriots Grades of Week 10 (at Chicago)

The New England Patriots hit the road in Week 10 to take on the Chicago Bears. With a 2-7 record and coming off a disappointing overtime loss in Tennessee, being a no-show would have been easy. The Patriots did just the opposite.

New England’s defense played its best game of the season. Their second provided excellent coverage. Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked nine times. The Patriots’ offensive line had its most effective game as a unit in 2024. Although the special teams play was not stellar, there were more than enough positives to beat the Bears 19-3.

A couple of post-dub game balls 😎 pic.twitter.com/W2CNun6y7F

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 10, 2024

The game marked New England’s first time holding an opponent without a touchdown since Dec. 3, 2023, when they lost 6-0 to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Also Read – Ten Takeaways From the Patriots 19-3 Win Over the Bears

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.

Here is a look at the Patriots who stood out, for better or worse, in Week 10 (note: players must play a minimum of 20 snaps to qualify, except for special teams):

HONOR ROLL

Four Patriots players earned a score of 75.0 or better against the Bears, Although that is not many, six others received grades above 70.0. These individual grades do not appear to reflect the overall solid work of the New England Patriots units, specifically on defense and along the offense line.

TE Austin Hooper (85.7)

Hooper earned the top receiving game for New England (90.5). Drake Maye targeted him four times. He finished the day with three receptions for 64 yards. All three of his receptions resulted in first downs for New England.

Drake to Hoop for a big gain and a first down!

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/9HFuJWkMK1

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 10, 2024

DL Jeremiah Pharms Jr. (84.2)

Pharms received the New England Patriots’ first star of the game from Patriots Football Now. He stood out in the first half before the entire defense began unloading on Caleb Williams. PFF credited Pharms with three tackles and four stops. He pressured Williams three times and recorded a sack.

S Dell Pettus (78.4)

The Patriots midseason Rookie of the Year continues to earn playing time and impress. Pettus played. He recorded his first NFL sack and added two stops and a pass breakup. Chicago targeted Pettus in coverage just once, which ended in an incomplete pass.

RT Demontrey Jacobs (76.2)

Sometimes, an offensive tackle, like a cornerback, does their job well when they aren’t noticed at all. But Jacobs stood out for New England on Sunday for the right reasons. His run blocking was an exception, with the big man moving upfield to block at the second level. Ge allowed three pressures, but they were all hurries without Drake Maye taking any hits. His holding penalty prevented the grade from being even higher.

Other top performers: LB Jahlani Tavai (74.1), CB Christian Gonzalez (74.0), DE Keion White (73.3), ST Curtis Jacobs (71.5), S Jaylinn Hawkins (70.8), DT Davon Godchaux (70.5).

DISHONORABLE ROLL

Players included here received grades below 60.0 for the game. The bad news for New England is there are still too many players in this group. After 21 players graded out below 60.0 against Tennessee, that number only improved slightly (17) against Chicago. However, eight of those players were special teamers, indicating a notable improvement for the other two Patriots’ units.

WR K.J. Osborn (47.5)

Osborn was in on 18 passing plays but received just one target. Drake Maye made a beautiful play to connect with Osborn in the end zone, but the potential New England Patriots was nullified because the receiver had stepped out of bounds (twice) before catching the ball. This resulted in a penalty for illegal touching. Osborn received a run-block grade of 59,1, bringing up his grade slightly.

it didn't count due to illegal touching, but via rule of cool this was a Drake Maye touchdown pulled out of the ether pic.twitter.com/6GKTXp5mBJ

— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) November 10, 2024

CB Marco Wilson (49.2)

The Bears picked on Wilson a bit in the first half but his final numbers for the day were decent. He played 24 defensive snaps, 20 of them in coverage. Chicago targeted him three times, completing two passes for 20 yards. He made three tackles and had one missed tackle.

S Marte Mapu (55.6)

Mapu played 24 defensive snaps. He recorded one tackle. The Bears targeted him once in coverage, and it was completed for six yards. It was a season-low in snaps for Marte Mapu. The Patriots used Dell Petts, Jaylinn Hawkins, Jonathan Jones, and Brenden Schooler there as well. Schooler received an 88.8 grade, but only played five defense snaps so he did not qualify.

RG Mike Onwenu (56.2)

Onwenu received the lowest grade on the Patriots offensive line for the first time this season. He allowed the lone Chicago sack of the game. Onwenu allowed three pressures, including a quarterback hit. He was flagged once in the game.

Others who struggled: ST Jaheim Bell (50.3), ST Joe Giles-Harris (50.4), P Bryce Baringer (53.3), ST Brenden Schooler (55.6), PR Marcus Jones (56.7), ST Marcellas Dial Jr. (57.0), LG Michael Jordan (57.2), ST Dell Pettus (57.6), LT Vederian Lowe (57.6), TE Hunter Henry (58.2), LB Anfernee Jennings (58.5), DT Daniel Ekuale (58.5), KR Javon Baker (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 host the Los Angeles Rams next Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. The Rams will be playing on a short week following their Monday Night Football game against the Miami Dolphins.