N’Keal Harry contributions to the New England Patriots’ offense continue to build. He was an intricate member of the team’s game plan on Saturday during their 24-17 win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 16.
Let’s start with his four touches for 39 yards, which went with him drawing a defensive pass interference and defensive holding penalty. Harry was breaking tackles, throwing stiff-arms and using his large frame (6-foot-3, 225 pounds) to his advantage in a way which he didn’t in earlier games.
“My biggest goal today was just to be powerful, make it hard for them to tackle me and just be the more physical team. I wanted to contribute to that,” Harry said after the game on Saturday.
His contributions didn’t come solely with his hands on the ball. Harry has likely gotten an increased snap count because he’s also making a difference as a run blocker. Whether lined up in the slot or on the outside, Harry is getting physical with defensive backs to help create space for the team’s ground game, which finished with 35 carries for 143 yards and a touchdown. A teammate returned the favor for Harry. On one of Harry’s rushes, an 18-yard reverse, the rookie receiver saw quarterback Tom Brady serving as the lead blocker. And the 42-year-old served admirably in the role, putting cornerback Tre’Davious White on his butt.
“That’s a true quarterback,” Harry said.
The Patriots demonstrated balance on offense, with the run game and the passing game complimenting itself. After Harry’s reverse and jet-sweep carries — which has been the team’s easiest means of getting the ball in the rookie receiver’s hands — New England took that tendency and broke it. They faked the ball to him, and set up a screen pass to running back Rex Burkhead going the other direction, which went for a huge gain. The Patriots offense seemed to be one step ahead of the Bills. It’s a nice change for New England, which has struggled offensively from Weeks 9 to 14.
“Since I’ve been here, it felt like we were in rhythm the most,” Harry said. “I felt like we did a really good job running the ball this game. That’s what it’s going to take moving forward.”
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