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Chad Graff

@chadgraff.bsky.social

2.4K followers 84 following 430 posts

Senior writer at The Athletic covering the Patriots. Adjunct professor at Northeastern. High-handicapped golfer, low-rated tennis player, seeker of a good old fashioned.

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Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 4h

A look at where the Patriots are exceeding expectations so far. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

Where the Patriots are exceeding expectations: Drake Maye, the run defense and more

www.nytimes.com

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 1d

🚨NFL power rankings through Week 5🚨

The Patriots are on the rise after a big win. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

NFL Week 6 Power Rankings: Eagles’, Bills’ losses mean new No. 1; Baker, Bucs on the rise

We have a new No. 1 after the Eagles' and Bills' surprising losses on Sunday. Meanwhile the Buccaneers, 49ers and Colts continue to move up.

www.nytimes.com

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 1d

Forget the rebuild. With Mike Vrabel, the Patriots are already playoff contenders. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

Forget the Patriots' rebuild. After beating the Bills, they should be playoff contenders

www.nytimes.com

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 2d

FINAL: Patriots 23, Bills 20

Forget a rebuild. Drake Maye’s breakout is here. This Patriots team is legit. And the playoffs are possible. They’re 3-2 with a bunch of easy games remaining.

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 2d

That play encapsulates why the Patriots rank so high in success rate.

That should've been a sack. Instead, Drake Maye gets a pass off and it turns into a 12-yard gain.

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 2d

Alright, Drake Maye.

It's felt the first four games like a Year 2 breakout is here.

Now he gets the chance to orchestrate a game-winning drive on national TV, on the road, against the Super Bowl favorites.

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 2d

The Patriots lead the Bills 20-10.

Drake Maye has been awesome. Stefon Diggs has been great. They're 12 minutes from a shocking upset.

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 2d

Stefon Diggs now has back-to-back 100-yard games for the first time since Weeks 5 and 6 of the 2023 season with the Bills.

He had 101 last week and has 104 through three quarters tonight.

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 2d

Three turnovers generated from the Patriots defense tonight.

They've shown up in a massive way.

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 2d

What a response from the Patriots.

Sparked by a 32-yard pass to Stefon Diggs on third down, the Patriots go 74 yards in five plays to re-take the lead.

Patriots 13, Bills 10

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 2d

The Patriots' defense was great in the first half, but there was no way they were bottling up Josh Allen and Co. like that all game.

Bills go 71 yards in 10 plays for a TD to open the second half.

Bills 10, Patriots 6

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 2d

Mike Vrabel went the aggressive route going for the TD with 4 seconds left, but Hunter Henry didn't come down with it.

So the Patriots settled for a FG and 6-3 lead heading into the half.

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 2d

TreVeyon Henderson just took his first carry of the game for 14 yards.

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 2d

The Patriots have ruled out Antonio Gibson for the remainder of this game due to a knee injury.

Their only two healthy running backs left in this game: Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 2d

The Patriots have called a pass play on all five offensive snaps since Antonio Gibson got hurt.

Will be interesting to see if they become one-dimensional with Gibson out.

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 2d

It was supposed to be. He was really good at it in college. Just hasn't translated for some reason.

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 2d

The Patriots trust Rhamondre Stevenson as a pass blocker more than any other back (especially TreVeyon Henderson) and it's almost a tell now.

When Stevenson is in the game, they're passing.

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 2d

Antonio Gibson is the Patriots running back in the huddle at the start of this drive following Rhamondre Stevenson's 10th fumble in his last 10 games.

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 2d

Mike Vrabel has been steadfast in standing by Rhamondre Stevenson despite fumbling woes. He's said the Pats need Stevenson.

But Stevenson just fumbled again, his third this season and 10th in his last 19 games.

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 5d

Drake Maye has been a top-10 QB this season.

But now a bigger test looms. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

As Drake Maye's breakout continues, a test — and Josh Allen comps — arrive in Buffalo

www.nytimes.com

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 5d

Patriots star DT Milton Williams did not practice today due to an ankle injury.

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 6d

Stefon Diggs is looking like a No. 1 WR again as he prepares to head back to Buffalo for the first time since leaving the Bills. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

Patriots' Stefon Diggs looking like a No. 1 WR again ahead of return to Buffalo

www.nytimes.com

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 6d

K’Lavon Chaisson (knee) and Jaylinn Hawkins (hamstring) did not practice for the Patriots today as they began prep for the Bills.

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 8d

A look at the 14 stats that tell the story of the Patriots’ season so far. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

Drake Maye and an explosive offense? 14 stats that tell story of Patriots’ season

Sitting at 2-2 isn't bad for the Patriots. We examine how they've gotten there, including a better-than-expected offense.

www.nytimes.com

Chad Graff @chadgraff.bsky.social · 9d

A blowout win Sunday feels like the start of a turnaround for the Patriots. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

Patriots' win over Panthers feels like start of a turnaround for the Mike Vrabel era

www.nytimes.com