Mike Reiss
FOXBOROUGH, Mass — Fast-hit ideas and notes across the New England Patriots and the NFL:
1. Diggs at 900: In a celebratory Patriots locker room final Sunday, coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged how veteran huge receiver Stefon Diggs recorded his 900th profession reception, which led to a cheer from his teammates.
Diggs grew to become the twenty ninth NFL participant to perform the feat, with solely 4 gamers reaching the mark sooner than him in his 153rd recreation: Keenan Allen (139), Antonio Brown (143) Marvin Harrison (149) and Andre Johnson (150).
He wasn't requested concerning the milestone after the sport, nor did it come up throughout his weekly Wednesday media Q&A at his locker. So when it was broached with Diggs after the ultimate follow of the week Friday, the 31-year-old flashed a smile (Johnson is one among his all-time favorites) and obtained straight to the purpose. Stats are high quality, however …
“Everybody is aware of what I am chasing,” he stated.
Diggs, who was sitting at his locker, was requested to verify if that was a reference to a championship ring. He nodded.
One of many Patriots' most fiery leaders of their 7-2 begin to the season, Diggs leads the group into motion Sunday on the highway in opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1 p.m. ET, CBS). It's a recreation he has informed teammates might help reinforce that they're an excellent group due to the respect he has for Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield and coach Todd Bowles' attacking protection.
In the meantime, contained in the Patriots' locker room and coaches' workplaces, Diggs' 900-catch achievement was a catalyst for gamers and coaches to share the respect he has earned since signing a three-year, $69 million deal as a free agent in March.
“Anytime you've got a man that is had a ton of success up to now, it is all the time distinctive to see how they'll are available in, and the dynamic. Diggs has been superior,” stated veteran quarterback Joshua Dobbs, whose locker is on to the appropriate of Diggs.
“The management he is taken with the group. The selfless strategy he is taken. Then additionally the communication he has — he is asking nice questions, he is locked in on the protection, to verify he is in the appropriate spot for us to get him the soccer. He is clearly carried out that all through his profession very properly, and it is cool — 900 catches is so much.”
Diggs is likely one of the gamers who speaks to the group on the sphere within the minutes main as much as kickoff, usually occasions bringing a pointy edge to a roster that entered the 12 months because the NFL's fourth youngest.
“Whenever you take a look at his make-up and character, I feel that there is an vitality and a aggressive spirit to Stef,” Vrabel stated, when requested what he is noticed that contributed to Diggs' racking up so many catches. “To play on this league at any place and achieve success, you clearly should have a skillset, however I do suppose that he's aggressive, and I feel that is allowed him to achieve success in a whole lot of completely different locations.”
Diggs had 365 receptions in Minnesota (2015-2019), adopted by 445 in Buffalo (2020-2023), then 47 in an injury-shortened 2024 season in Houston. He enters Sunday with a team-high 45 receptions for 508 yards and two touchdowns, having performed 55% of the offensive snaps in his return from a torn proper ACL.
“Clearly, Diggsy recovered shortly from his scenario,” Vrabel stated. “So everyone's form of constructed a bit in a different way.”
2. D limits performs: Patriots exterior linebackers coach Mike Smith wasn't providing up excuses for decrease sack manufacturing (20 in 9 video games), noting, at the beginning, there may be all the time room for enchancment. Smith additionally identified quarterbacks eliminating the ball shortly is one think about decrease sack totals in addition to total alternatives primarily based on performs.
Certainly, the Patriots common 55.2 defensive performs per recreation, which is the second lowest within the NFL behind the Chiefs (54.1). Take into account the Packers have performed the identical variety of defensive snaps (497) because the Patriots in a single fewer recreation, and Sunday's opponent (Tampa Bay) averages 61.8 defensive performs per recreation.
This displays one of many keys to New England's total defensive success: It is exhausting for an opposing offense to attain when it is not on the sphere as a lot.
3. Shortened practices: It considerably slipped below the radar final week, however Vrabel tightened up the group's practices so gamers weren't on the sphere as lengthy.
It is the Patriots' tenth straight week with a recreation popping out of coaching camp, after which in addition they have a fast turnaround with a house recreation Thursday in opposition to the Jets.
Vrabel stated a part of the strategy was tied to matching the Buccaneers' vitality, as they're coming off their bye week, and added of his session with the athletic coaching, energy and diet staffs: “We have had in depth talks about what we predict every man wants and what we predict the group wants.”
4. Davis' return: Veteran cornerback Carlton Davis III, who signed a three-year, $54 million free agent cope with the Patriots in March, returns to Raymond James Stadium for the primary time as a customer Sunday.
Davis spent the primary six years of his profession with the Buccaneers, profitable a Tremendous Bowl within the 2020 season when Tom Brady was Tampa Bay's quarterback, and he acknowledged that he was initially stung by being traded from the Buccaneers to the Detroit Lions in March 2024. However time has softened these ideas and led to appreciation in enjoying for the Lions and now Patriots.
In New England, Davis has been credited for his toughness (9 begins, 32 tackles, three go breakups).
“He is a gritty man. He is made a profession out of being robust and aggressive,” cornerbacks coach Justin Hamilton stated. “There will not be too many corners I do know of who of their careers have damaged a jaw off a ‘crack-replace' and making a sort out, and being keen to go hit.”
5. Jennings' supply: If first-year working again Terrell Jennings' carry-on baggage is a bit heavier than the norm this week, it is with good motive. He relayed that he is bringing the soccer from his first NFL landing final week to Florida to personally ship to his mom, LaTonya, who lives about 90 minutes from Tampa.
I am dwelling ready for it!! See you in Tampa son 💙❤️
— LaTonya Nelson (@thatsMyBoyyy23) November 2, 2025
6. Sizzling ticket: The Patriots' extremely anticipated recreation in opposition to the Buccaneers has a mean ticket value of $340, in accordance with Vivid Seats. That makes it Tampa Bay's most costly dwelling ticket of the season so far, and the Patriots' most costly highway ticket so far — besting the $295.58 common value for Week 5 on the Payments. A part of that might be demand from touring Patriots followers who've most not too long ago helped fill opposing stadiums in New Orleans and Tennessee.
7. Money examine: The Patriots at the moment rank seventeenth within the NFL in money spending for 2025 at $300,356,552, in accordance with Roster Administration System. In a reminder that money spending alone would not assure victories, the 4-4 Vikings are the league's high money spender ($343,611,014), whereas the 6-2 Rams ($236,023,129) and 6-2 Seahawks ($250,779,102) — each of whom seem like Tremendous Bowl contenders — are the NFL's lowest money spenders.
8. Mike's mustache: Vrabel hasn't misplaced his razor; his fast-growing mustache is tied to him collaborating in “Movember,” the annual November occasion that raises funds and consciousness for males's well being.
Vrabel's shut buddy Terrell Williams, the defensive coordinator, was identified with prostate most cancers earlier this season, so the mission really hits dwelling for Vrabel this 12 months. “You guys will not acknowledge me in one other week. This factor will likely be flowing.”
9. Hyperlink with Lester: Apply squad security Richie Grant, who performed in highschool at Fort Walton Seashore, Florida, found an surprising hyperlink to the Patriots when taking a look at some outdated photos of championship groups on the partitions on the facility.
His uncle on his grandfather's facet of the household, Lester Williams, performed nostril sort out for the Patriots from 1982 to '85, showing in 42 video games with 13 begins, the ultimate one coming within the group's 46-10 loss to the Bears in Tremendous Bowl XX. The 2 first met when Grant was 8.
10. Do you know? Fourth-year Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones has returned 70 punts for 1,000 yards in his profession — a 14.3 common. With 5 extra punt returns, Jones will qualify to hitch the NFL's profession leaders, and his present 14.3 common could be No. 1, topping Chicago's George McAfee (12.8 avg. 1940-41, 1945-50).
