New England Patriots
Boutte’s catch — one of his three, for 75 yards, on a day when Patriots receivers came through repeatedly even with limited opportunities — was a thing of beauty amid a brawl.
Welcome to the Unconventional Review, an instant reaction to standouts, stats, and story lines from the Patriots’ most recent game …
I cannot say that it was one of the most spectacular catches in the history of the NFL. Not now. Not yet. The moment needs to settle a little before context arrives in full.
But it sure is tempting to declare that Kayshon Boutte’s third-down, full-speed, full-extension, one-handed, 32-yard touchdown grab in the fourth quarter is worthy of such praise and consideration.
I’ll resist that hyperbole — for now — and put it this way: When Boutte reached out, Plastic Man-style, and hauled in Drake Maye’s throw, what came to mind was a highlight reel of the most mind-blowing catches we’ve seen over the years, from Lynn Swann to John Jefferson to Randy Moss to the popularizer of the one-handed grab, Odell Beckham Jr.
Julian Edelman’s catch of a ricocheting football just before it hit the turf against the Falcons in Super Bowl LI is the greatest unorthodox catch ever. I’ve heard an obscure Giants receiver made one once, too, but that’s an investigation for another day.
What came to mind first, you ask? The same thing that came to mind for you: “Whoa, did he actually catch that?” Some of us may have said it more colorfully than others.
Boutte’s catch was necessary, too. We were told all week that the Texans’ defense was as ferocious as any in recent NFL lore, and it turns out that may have undersold it.
The Patriots led, 21-13 — just a one-possession game — when, on third and 4 at 12:58 of the fourth quarter, Maye lofted the pass down the right sideline, where Boutte, covered well, plucked it from the sky with his right hand. The touchdown gave the Patriots a safe 12-point lead, allowing fans at home and at Gillette Stadium to exhale.
Boutte’s catch — one of his three, for 75 yards, on a day when Patriots receivers came through repeatedly even with limited opportunities — was a thing of beauty amid a brawl.
It’s a catch we’re going to remember for a long time, especially if the magical run continues with two more wins. (Bring it on, Stidham.)
For now, we’ll call it one of the best catches in Patriots’ history, with its actual place in the order to be determined by just how special this season proves to be.
Some further thoughts, upon immediate review …
THREE PLAYERS WORTH WATCHING
Players suggested in the Unconventional Preview: Will Anderson Jr., Stefon Diggs, Milton Williams.
Marcus Jones: This item could be titled Any Patriots Defensive Back of Your Choice. Carlton Davis intercepted two passes — his first two as a Patriot — though he also committed a pair of pass-interference penalties and was called for a facemask. Rookie safety Craig Woodson had an interception, and while Christian Gonzalez did not, he was in full lockdown mode on the Texans receivers all afternoon and led the Patriots with nine tackles.
But the vote here goes to Jones, because he put points on the scoreboard on a day when the Patriots struggled to turn Stroud’s miscues into points. Trailing, 10-7, early in the second quarter, K’Lavon Chaisson walloped Stroud, who reacted by chucking the ball up for grabs. Jones caught the alley-oop and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown, giving the Patriots a lead they would not relinquish.
Tell me you noticed how fitting it was that the Patriots had four interceptions and a pick-6 on a day when Hall of Famer Ty Law — who intercepted Peyton Manning three times in the AFC Championship game exactly 22 years ago — had “Keeper of the Light” honors.
Will Anderson Jr.: Here’s a question for you. Which superstar defensive lineman had a more dominating performance against the Patriots this season? The Browns’ Myles Garrett with five sacks in Week 8, or Anderson with three sacks, two forced fumbles, and one daylong reminder that Will Campbell’s arm length might be a problem in certain situations? Given the stakes, I say it’s Anderson. Special player.
Milton Williams: The Patriots have a game-changing defensive lineman of their own, of course, and Williams was at the forefront of a forceful all-around defensive performance. He was the one who blew up the play that led to Jones’s pick-6, and he also hit running back Woody Marks so hard early that the Texans running back lost his helmet. (Marks also lost a shoe and his helmet again later in the game.)
GRIEVANCE OF THE GAME
Easy call here, unless you want to chirp about some ticky-tack pass-interference calls. It has to be Maye’s four fumbles. He was under duress all day, but he has to do a better job of protecting the ball. He knows it. So do the Broncos.
THREE NOTES SCRIBBLED IN THE MARGINS
Predicted final score: Patriots 17, Texans 13
Final score: Patriots 28, Texans 16
One of the reasons I enjoy ESPN’s Joe Buck-Troy Aikman team so much is the latter’s easy-going way of being blunt. Aikman just can’t hide it — he really doesn’t even bother trying — when he’s frustrated with a quarterback’s performance. At the end of the first half, he said of Stroud, “It looks like he’s just throwin’ and hopin’.” He was even tougher on him, rightfully, as the game wound to a close. “C.J. Stroud has been chasing his rookie success for the last two years,’’ said Aikman. “He’s not been the same player. We’ve not seen the development from him. There’s a reason for that, and it has to be addressed.” Tony Romo would never tell us that … I thought the Texans should have benched Stroud at halftime and gone with Davis Mills, but I guess there are long-term implications of benching your “franchise” quarterback in a playoff game … Rhamondre Stevenson missed a chunk of the game with an eye injury, but still ran for 70 yards on 16 carries. He was a workhorse on a fourth-quarter drive that helped the Patriots take more than six minutes off the clock.
Do you think the Patriots will make it to the Super Bowl?
