Aaron Dobson, Brian Tyms active, Dont’a Hightower not
The New England Patriots will need to keep Tom Brady upright today against Jerry Hughes, Mario Williams, Kyle Wiliams, and Marcell Dareus, as the Buffalo Bills elite defensive line could take full advantage of an interior that will be forced to start the chronically overmatched Jordan Devey. If the Patriots can somehow buy Brady some time and he can make crisp throws downfield, then the Pats could stretch open the Bills defense downfield, especially with safety Aaron Williams inactive.
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According to NESN’s Doug Kyed, both Aaron Dobson and Brian Tyms are active today for the Patriots, and it will be interesting to see how both downfield playmakers co-exist. It’s great to see Tyms active and back in the fold after coming off his suspension, though his preseason sparks were mostly provided by his rapport with Jimmy Garoppolo against the backups.
We’re waiting patiently for Dobson to show off his superior playmaking ability, as he is the Patriots best chance at manufacturing big plays downfield. Tyms can help him out in that regard, but Dobson and his catch radius have the be the mainstay. It’s good to see Josh McDaniels and the Patriots are well past their inactive grudge with the former second-round pick out of Marshall, who will be one to watch today against the Bills.
Patriots star outside linebacker Dont’a Hightower has been one of the team’s best players this season, and the Pats could miss him big-time today. Hightower missed last week’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals with a knee injury, and while the team still won in a blowout, they will continue to look weak in run defense, especially without him. Hightower’s knee continues to bother him, and there’s a chance this injury is worse than expected. He was a game-time decision today, and Bill Belichick, wearing a suit, watched him fail the physical test before the game.