The New England Patriots won their Week 18 contest 23-16 over the Buffalo Bills to finish the year 4-13.

Here is who caught our eye for better or worse upon live viewing.

Winners

QB Joe Milton III: Checking in for Drake Maye after one series, New England’s other rookie quarterback put on a show Sunday. Milton finished the game completing 81.5 percent of his passes with a 17.1 completion percentage over expected (97th percentile). Not know for his accuracy in college, Milton’s footwork, timing, and decision-making was much improved.

“I would say just the consistency we had as an offense, as a quarterback room itself,” Milton attributed his success too. “Coach AVP and Coach T.C. [McCartney], Coach Ben McAdoo, Evan [Rothstein], we made sure as a quarterback, we were spot on.”

Milton’s dynamic skillset was on display throughout the day as Van Pelt used the QB’s physical tools by getting the sixth rounder on the move in the pocket and a fair share of option designs. That led to a walk-in touchdown near the goal line on a zone read — which was followed by his staple backflip celebration — a few lasers on the move (his best perhaps being an incompletion in the end zone), and an out-of-structure touchdown to Kayshon Boutte on a throw back into the middle of the field.

“I threw a dangerous throw today,” said Milton. “No, it wasn’t as dangerous because we scored from it, but just throwing back across the field as a quarterback, that’s very difficult to do, and a lot of quarterbacks and a lot of coaches tell you don’t do that just because you never know what it’s going to lead to.”

.@Qbjayy7 finds @KayshonBoutte1 free 🚀

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/b4euSqfEoz

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 5, 2025

It was quite the debut from Milton and AVP and the Patriots offensive coaching staff deserves plenty of credit for his improvement over the past few months. Now, New England might have a good decision to make about Milton’s future: serving as a top quality backup for Maye (there is no QB controversy) or potentially flipping him in a trade for an improved asset.

CB Alex Austin: Another piece that New England might be able to count more on in the future is cornerback Alex Austin, who played well down the stretch after returning from an ankle injury. Drawing the start on Sunday with Christian Gonzalez sidelined, Austin allowed just one catch (-1 yards) on four targets. He was often working against Buffalo first-round receiver Keon Coleman, recording a pass breakup in coverage on the rookie.

Losers

Jerod Mayo: It did not take long for the Patriots to fire Jerod Mayo after Sunday’s win, indicating that owner Robert Kraft made his decision in the past weeks. There is a share of unfairness to moving on from a first-year head coach with a depleted roster, but Mayo dug his grave too far especially as things completely unraveled over the final month of the season. It was the right call.

Draft pick: The Patriots entered the day in possession of the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and a loss to Buffalo would have secured that selection. A 23-16 win, however, pushed the Patriots down to the fourth pick in the upcoming draft.

The win additionally impacted the rest of their selections as teams with the same amount of wins rotate their order in the following rounds. That means their second-round selection will fall back to No. 38, which could impact their ability to potentially trade up come April. Their third-round selections are expected to be No. 69 and 77 (via ATL).

Honorable mentions:

• Austin Hooper hauled in four catches to reach 45 on the season — triggering a $125k incentive bonus.
• Kayshon Boutte hauled in a career-high 117 yards and a score on seven receptions, connecting with Milton on a few big plays.
• Caedan Wallace did not draw the start but played 44 snaps in relief as he eases back from a broken leg and severe high-ankle sprain. Playing right tackle, the rookie allowed just one hurry in 21 pass block snaps. His penalties were questionable as well. Wallace holding down the right tackle position would be big for the Patriots this offseason.
• In his first career start, Marcellas Dial made some plays around the football — including a strong open field tackle near the goal line — and downed a punt inside the five in his usual gunner role. In his first extensive work at corner this season he did allow five catches.
• Elsewhere in the secondary, props to Miles Battle, who signed to the 53-man roster Saturday, for logging three pass breakups. Safety Dell Pettus also got his hands on a football.
• In the front seven, Christian Elliss (13 tackles, 1 PBU) continued to look like a situational linebacker moving forward. Truman Jones, who signed off the practice squad, had some noticeable reps along the edge as well.
• Joey Slye ended an up-and-down season by making all three of his field goals from 41, 42, and 50 yards out.