NEW ORLEANS — When vast receiver Stefon Diggs made his approach to the locker room after the New England Patriots’ 25-19 win towards the New Orleans Saints, he clapped his palms and famous the roll the workforce is on by saying, “That’s three in a row!”
Then, earlier than boarding the workforce bus, Diggs was one of many final remaining gamers within the locker room and already waiting for Sunday’s highway recreation towards the Tennessee Titans.
“We’ll get pleasure from this for 12 hours after which now we have a giant one subsequent week,” Diggs stated.
Why so massive?
“Individuals are going dwelling, I suppose,” he stated with a contact of humor.
Diggs’ reference to teach Mike Vrabel bringing the Patriots (4-2) to Tennessee, the place he served as head coach from 2018 to 2023, highlights what will likely be a high storyline within the days to come back.
The “homecoming” theme has been prevalent for the surging Patriots in latest weeks, as this marks the primary time the workforce has gained three in a row since 2022.
In a Week 5 win towards the Buffalo Payments, it was Diggs’ return to Western New York — and his stellar efficiency in a prime-time upset — that generated headlines.
And in Sunday’s highway victory over the Saints, it was Louisiana-born and former Louisiana State receiver Kayshon Boutte rising up with a clutch efficiency that included a team-high 5 catches for 93 yards and a couple of touchdowns (deep photographs of 25 and 29 yards). Boutte grew to become the primary Patriots participant to attain a number of touchdowns of 25 or extra yards in a recreation since Phillip Dorsett II in 2019.
“One thing about going dwelling, I feel guys really feel snug again on the crib,” Diggs stated.
The Patriots gained regardless of a efficiency that included “so much to wash up,” in line with Vrabel. An absence of working recreation (73 yards on 31 makes an attempt), 11 penalties and shaky move protection at occasions have been among the many major struggles. However after they wanted a play to shut it out, Boutte delivered.
He capped off his day by making a 21-yard catch from quarterback Drake Maye on third-and-11 earlier than the two-minute warning, which allowed the Patriots to kneel on the ball for the win. It was a contested catch on an out route that he transformed to a fade. Saints cornerback Kool-Support McKinstry was glued to his hip, and Boutte turned to haul within the back-shoulder throw alongside the left sideline and he landed in bounds with a thud.
“What a play by Boutte,” stated Maye, who completed 18-of-26 for 261 yards with three touchdowns and a 92.6 QBR. “It felt proper being again dwelling for him.”
The 5-foot-11, 197-pound Boutte, who joined beginning left sort out and fellow Louisiana native Will Campbell in returning dwelling, had 40 relations and pals on the recreation for whom he bought tickets. He known as it an “emotional day” and “full-circle second” whereas noting the twists and turns of his profession — going from a once-highly touted prospect to sixth-round choose whose NFL profession hit a crossroads this previous spring earlier than it took off underneath Vrabel and receivers coach Todd Downing.
“Three, 4 years in the past I wasn’t in the perfect place. I feel a variety of off-the-field stuff. I have a look at myself like I’ve been by means of so much. I really feel like I’m lastly getting again collectively and all the things is coming good. I really feel prefer it’s good to beat the adversity and hold working,” Boutte stated.
The work continues in Week 7 with a visit to Tennessee to face the Titans (1-5), with the highlight on Vrabel and his workforce who’s 3-0 on the highway this season.
“We all know Vrabes has been there and all the things like that, however he’s right here now,” Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones stated. “So we’re going to attempt to reap the benefits of the chance now we have and attempt to go 1-0 subsequent week.”