Okay, so the Patriots’ defense is hitting the field against the Buffalo Bills this Sunday without two absolute studs: cornerback Christian Gonzalez and defensive tackle Christian Barmore. Talk about a gut punch, especially when those two missed last week’s loss in Jacksonville with shoulder injuries. But hold up, because there’s some good news in the mix. Edge defender Dre’Mont Jones and safety Craig Woodson are making their comebacks this week after battling the same exact shoulder issues.
Jones and Woodson Back To Bolster the Defense
Look, neither Jones nor Woodson are the same kind of impact player as Barmore, and definitely not Gonzalez. We gotta be real about that. But these guys are valuable, no doubt. Jones coming back means a much-needed rotation on the edge alongside Elijah Ponder and Gabe Jacas. More importantly, he brings the best edge-setting skills against the run, and that’s absolutely critical this week. Why? Because the Buffalo Bills are the top rushing offense in the NFL, measured by EPA per play. You simply cannot let them get going on the ground.
Then you’ve got Woodson, a solid presence in the middle of the field and back in the third level. Jaylen Reed stepped in for him last Sunday and did his best, sure, but it was a clear downgrade from having the usual starter out there. Getting these two back, even with the big names still sidelined, is a huge boost to the defensive operation that simply can’t be understated when you’re facing a team like the Bills.
Roster Shake-Ups and a Rookie’s Early Impact
Speaking of returns, the team also has third-round rookie tight end Eli Raridon available on Sunday. This guy didn’t play against the Jaguars, but his presence is noteworthy. Want to know something wild? Raridon is currently the only Patriot with a touchdown reception so far this season. Yeah, you read that right. His return bumped fellow rookie Tanner Arkin from the game day roster and onto the inactives list. It’s a tough break for Arkin, but a chance for Raridon to build on that early, surprising stat.
The absences of Christian Gonzalez and Christian Barmore really put the pressure on the depth charts. Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, and Charles Woods will need to step up at cornerback to fill Gonzalez’s shoes. It’s a tall order. The rest of the game day roster is locked in, with Drake Maye and Tommy DeVito at quarterback, Rhamondre Stevenson leading the running backs, and a strong group of receivers including Romeo Doubs and DeMario Douglas. Hunter Henry holds down the tight end spot alongside Raridon, while the offensive line features Will Campbell and Morgan Moses. On defense, you’ve got Milton Williams and DaQuan Jones holding down the interior, with Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss at linebacker. Carlton Davis III, Marcus Jones, and Charles Woods are key at cornerback, backed by safeties Kevin Byard and Craig Woodson. The specialists include Andy Borregales handling the kicks and Mitch Wishnowsky on punts.
What’s Next: Can This Defense Hold The Line?
So, the big question heading into Sunday’s clash against the Bills is whether this defense, patched up but with some key pieces returning, can actually slow down that Buffalo rushing attack. It’s going to be a brutal test, no doubt. With Raridon looking to make an impact on offense and the defense needing to step up big time, this game is going to tell us a lot about what this team is made of early in the season. You won’t want to miss it!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
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