WATCH: Joe Milton III throws a laser 48-yard touchdown pass

Joe Milton ripped a 48-yard touchdown pass to Kayshon Boutte

New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III got off to a strong start on Sunday afternoon against the Buffalo Bills.

After scoring a rushing touchdown, he scored his second touchdown of the game through the air on a connection with second-year wide receiver Kayshon Boutte.

Milton scrambled out of the pocket, kept his eyes downfield and delivered a strike to a wide open Boutte, who ran it into the end zone for six more points on the board. The rookie backup has quickly established his ability to create plays when things break down around him.

It’s a plus considering things breaking down has been a common occurrence behind the Patriots’ offensive line.

Along with Milton, Boutte should also be commended for another big play on offense. It was his third touchdown of the season for the struggling Patriots unit.

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WATCH: Drake Maye takes top off Bills defense with touchdown pass

Drake Maye delivered a beautiful touchdown lob to WR Kayshon Boutte

The New England Patriots got off to a hot start against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday afternoon.

They scored a touchdown on their first drive, courtesy of a Drake Maye-Kayshon Boutte connection. The touchdown was part of a drive that took six plays, 58 yards and 2:59 off the clock. It was Boutte’s second touchdown reception of the season and Maye’s 12th touchdown pass.

Maye delivered a dot over Bills defenders that landed perfectly in the waiting arms of Boutte, who did the rest by running it into the end zone for a touchdown.

The Patriots came out aggressive against a Bills team that has one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. If anything, New England proved right out of the gates that they weren’t going down without a fight.

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Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte apologizes to Alex Van Pelt for post-game comments

Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte says he apologized to Alex Van Pelt

New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte told reporters he apologized to offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt for his post-game comments after Sunday’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

The offense looked dead in the water against the Cardinals’ defense until they upped the tempo in the fourth quarter. After the game, Boutte said he would have liked for the team to commit to that same tempo throughout the entire game.

“Nobody likes losing. It was frustration I had lingering from the game into the post-game interview,” Boutte said, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “I feel like I was wrong for what I said. It wasn’t the right way to handle it.”

It was a rough day for Van Pelt, who was also caught up in coach Jerod Mayo’s controversial post-game comments.

Mayo was asked why the team didn’t run rookie quarterback Drake Maye in short-yard situations.

“You said it, I didn’t,” Mayo responded.

The first-year coach has since clarified those comments after coming off like he was throwing his offensive coordinator under the bus. If anything, this is proof that the issues for New England extend beyond the football field.

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Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte explains dropped interception play

Kayshon Boutte commented on his dropped pass in Sunday’s game

New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte shared his thoughts on his dropped reception that got picked off in Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Rookie quarterback Drake Maye threw a pass that bounced out of Boutte’s hands and landed right into the awaiting hands of Cardinals cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting.

It was a microcosm of an ugly game all around for New England. They failed to get anything going consistently on the offensive side of the ball until the fourth quarter, but by that time, it was too late for the team to avoid their 11th loss of the season.

“I’ll just say, I know it’s a play I’ve got to make but it’s kind of hard when you’re running full speed in one direction and the ball is kind of low,” Boutte said, via MassLive’s Mark Daniels. “It’s a play I’ve got to make… We talked about it to see what we both could’ve fixed.”

Maye took ownership of the play as well when speaking with media members after the game. He noted that he threw the ball in a way to protect Boutte from the incoming defender.

The Patriots have had growing pains on the offensive side of the ball throughout the season, and Sunday’s performance was another example of those struggles. There are bright spots for the future on offense, but the Patriots need an offensive overhaul to realize their true potential.

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Fantasy football waiver wire: Week 12 free-agent forecast

Here are the top waiver-wire targets in Week 12 of fantasy football.

The home stretch of the fantasy football season is finally upon us as managers aim to make their push for the playoffs.

Regardless of whether you’re looking to secure a playoff spot or playing spoiler to other teams in the league, the waiver wire in Week 12 will be crucial.

There are six teams on a bye this week, including the Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets.

We’ll be taking a look at the top available players rostered in Yahoo, using the 75% rostered mark (at least 25% availability) as the threshold. If you have any questions about prioritizing a certain player over another, don’t be afraid to hit me up on X, formerly Twitter, (@KevinHickey11). Your questions and comments are always welcome!

We also will be taking a look at some deeper players to stash and the top streaming options for the upcoming week.

Fantasy football waiver wire recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated.

Check back for any updates throughout Monday and Tuesday as more injury news becomes available.

Patriots X-factor player for Week 11 matchup with Rams

Who is the X-factor player for the Patriots in Week 11?

This week, the New England Patriots face the Los Angeles Rams, a team that, while not the Super Bowl powerhouse of a few years ago, still presents significant challenges.

Led by head coach Sean McVay and future hall-of-fame quarterback Matthew Stafford, the Rams have bolstered their roster with emerging talents at key positions. As the Patriots aim to build on their recent successes, securing a victory will require a standout performance from a key player.

This week’s X-factor is wide receiver Kayshon Boutte.

Boutte has steadily become one of the Patriots’ most reliable targets. Entering the season, his spot on the roster was uncertain, but through determination and consistent play, he has earned a significant role after many thought he would have been a camp cut or practice squad candidate.

In recent weeks, Boutte has led the team’s wide receivers in snaps, reflecting the coaching staff’s growing trust in his abilities. His strong hands, precise route-running and ability to make plays after the catch have been reminiscent of his standout performances at LSU.

Once considered a potential first-round pick, Boutte’s draft stock declined due to a challenging final college season and off-field issues, leading to his selection in the sixth round. However, at just 22 years old, he has matured and is now a key contributor to the Patriots’ offense.

Boutte’s role is crucial this week for several reasons. His proficiency in run-blocking supports the ground game, while his route-running and catching abilities provide quarterback Drake Maye with a dependable target. Facing a formidable Rams defensive front, Maye will need to release the ball quickly, and Boutte’s knack for creating separation on the outside makes him an ideal option.

While DeMario Douglas excels in the slot and intermediate routes, Boutte’s presence on the perimeter offers a complementary threat, potentially opening up the field for other playmakers like tight end Hunter Henry.

If Boutte can continue to find open spaces and generate yards after the catch, he could be a game-changer against the Rams. His development as a playmaker, combined with his football intelligence, positions him as a pivotal figure in the Patriots’ offensive strategy. By stepping up in this matchup, Boutte not only enhances the team’s chances of victory but also solidifies his role as a cornerstone of the Patriots’ future success.

As mentioned before, he is only 22 and will be the same age as some of the receivers entering next year’s draft. His attention to detail and maturity are worth noting as the team looks to build the core team around Maye.

It’s not to say he is a superstar in the making, but Boutte should be a solid player for this franchise for years to come, and it starts with a massive performance this week.

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Patriots OC notices a new playmaker emerging at wide receiver

Kayshon Boutte is emerging into a key target on offense

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt gave wide receiver Kayshon Boutte high praise ahead of Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans.

According to Van Pelt, Boutte has been one of the team’s “most consistent” players. The second-year wide receiver has recorded 11 catches for 185 yards and a touchdown this season.

He got more involved late in the Patriots’ comeback win over the New York Jets last week. He recorded three critical catches for 46 yards on six total targets.

“The last four weeks, his plays has been exceptional,” Van Pelt said, when speaking with media members during the week.

Boutte’s emergence could spell good things for the Patriots offense.

The team has waited for another receiver to emerge alongside DeMario Douglas as a consistent playmaker. Up to this point, that player has been the former LSU standout.

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Patriots WR boldly questions offensive play-calling in games

Kayshon Boutte claims he had to ask for the two deep balls thrown to him over the last two weeks

New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte was critical of the offensive play-calling when speaking with the media on Wednesday.

Boutte has been a bright spot on a Patriots offense that has struggled this season. All told, he has eight receptions for 139 yards and a touchdown. He has shown his ability to stretch the field as well, averaging 17.4 yards per catch.

Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt was impressed with Boutte’s work ethic last week, and he commended him on becoming a fixture in the Patriots’ wide receivers room. However, Boutte has been upset with the lack of targets he has been getting, as transcribed by CLNS Media’s Taylor Kyles.

The Patriots offense has been a work in progress throughout the season. It’s troubling that players are starting to call out the scheme publicly. One has to wonder what kind of offensive changes will be made with the team currently on a six-game losing streak.

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OC Alex Van Pelt comments on Kayshon Boutte’s rise on WR depth chart

Alex Van Pelt shares his thoughts on WR Kayshon Boutte’s rise on offense

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt had high praise for wideout Kayshon Boutte when meeting with media members on Thursday morning.

Boutte has had a larger role in the offense this season. All told, he has recorded seven catches for 106 yards and a touchdown.

The touchdown came last Sunday against the Houston Texans, and it was the best game of the season for him to this point. He tallied three catches for 59 yards and a 40-yard touchdown. The wideout averaged 19.7 yards per catch in the process.

Van Pelt has noticed Boutte’s progression since the beginning of summer. He went from a rotational player to a potential starter.

“As he continued to work, the biggest thing with Boutte was how he approached practice. He really put his hard hat on and did great work,” said Van Pelt, via CLNS Media’s Mike Kadlick.

Van Pelt added, “I’m so proud of him for his perseverance.”

https://twitter.com/mikekadlick/status/1846931605580882333

There’s a chance Boutte’s role could expand even more if he builds on his performance against the Texans and continues to make plays against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London on Sunday.

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Jerod Mayo’s blunt reason for Patriots’ veteran wideouts being benched

Jerod Mayo explained the recent shake-up at wide receiver for the Patriots

There were a couple of significant changes on the New England Patriots’ wide receiver depth chart ahead of Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans.

Tyquan Thornton was a healthy scratch for the game, and K.J. Osborn didn’t take a single snap. Meanwhile, second-year wideout Kayshon Boutte saw an increased number of snaps.

Osborn has been a complementary piece on a Patriots wide receivers unit struggling to find production. He has tallied five catches for 31 yards, while Thornton has caught two passes for 27 yards.

“You can put it – it’s the same thing that we’re going through with the offensive line,” Mayo said, per a team-provided video, via NESN.com’s Sean T. McGuire. “I think when I look at the film, it’s Boutte, it’s Pop (DeMario Douglas), it’s (Kendrick Bourne).

“We need the rest of those guys to step up and make plays.”

All three of the above-mentioned wideouts have experience in the Patriots’ offensive system. Douglas had a tremendous game against the Texans, leading all receivers with six catches for 92 yards and a touchdown on Sunday.

Thornton and Osborn both have work to do to regain their original spots on the roster. Boutte caught a 40-yard touchdown pass in Sunday’s game against the Texans.

It’ll be worth watching to see if the wide receiver combinations remain the same for the rest of the season.

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