In November, head coach Jerod Mayo highlighted several players that he wanted to see more of over the final weeks of the New England Patriots' season. Among them were "the receivers."
Even though no concrete names were mentioned in that particular instance, the term likely meant to include rookie wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk. The Patriots' second-round draft pick earlier this year, Polk has mostly been a non-factor so far in 2024.
Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills was a new low in that regard.
The Washington product was on the field for a career-low 3 offensive snaps as an outside receiver, not registering any targets or other stats along the way. Polk was the No. 5 wide receiver on the depth chart behind starters Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne and DeMario Douglas as well as fellow rookie Javon Baker.
"You want to win right now, but at the same time, I think it'd be a disservice to go to the end of the season and not see what we have," Mayo said at the time.
The Patriots did not see what they had in Polk against the Bills, at least as far as his actual game-day contributions being concerned. Given his minuscule workload, after all, it seems like he is also not showing the proper development behind the scenes leading up to game day.
His usage over the final two weeks of the season will be worth keeping a close eye on. And with that said, here is our full snap count report from the Patriots' 24-21 loss in Orchard Park.
Total snaps: 73 | Time on the field: 30:16
QB Drake Maye* (73; 100%), LT Vederian Lowe* (73; 100%), LG Layden Robinson* (73; 100%), C Ben Brown* (73; 100%), RG Michael Onwenu* (73; 100%), RT Demontrey Jacobs* (73; 100%), WR Kayshon Boutte* (64; 88%), TE Hunter Henry* (61; 84%), WR Kendrick Bourne* (51; 70%), TE Austin Hooper (50; 68%), RB Antonio Gibson (43; 59%), WR DeMario Douglas* (43; 59%), RB Rhamondre Stevenson* (32; 44%), WR Javon Baker (8; 11%), TE Jaheim Bell (5; 7%), OL/TE/FB Lester Cotton (5; 7%), WR Ja'Lynn Polk (3; 4%)
*denotes starter
Outside of Polk effectively serving as an emergency option, the Patriots used their wide receivers in the typical fashion. Kayshon Boutte had a career day as the No. 1 option at the position, catching five passes for 95 yards and a touchdown. He was part of the starting trio alongside Kendrick Bourne and DeMario Douglas.
At tight end, meanwhile, both Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper saw a heavy workload. In fact, the latter played a season-best 50 snaps before exiting the game with an apparent head/neck injury in the fourth quarter; in his place, rookie Jaheim Bell entered the lineup late in the contest.
As for the running back group, it saw Antonio Gibson out-snap Rhamondre Stevenson for only the second time this season. The free agency pickup was on the field for 59 snaps compared to Stevenson's 44. While his success as a runner was limited -- 28 yards on 10 rushes -- he could be in line for an increased workload considering Stevenson's persisting fumble issues.
Speaking of change, it also appears to be on the horizon along the offensive line. While the group as a whole had some positive moments and managed to go wire-to-wire, it also had to deal with its fair share of miscues especially in pass protection. With Cole Strange and Caedan Wallace waiting in the wings. some movement might be in the cards either this week or next.
Total snaps: 59 | Time on the field: 28:10
S Kyle Dugger* (59; 100%), CB Christian Gonzalez* (59; 100%), S Marte Mapu* (43; 73%), CB Alex Austin* (43; 73%), LB Jahlani Tavai* (42; 71%), CB Jonathan Jones (39; 66%), ED Anfernee Jennings* (39; 66%), LB Christian Elliss (38; 64%), DE/ED Keion White* (38; 64%), DT Daniel Ekuale* (38; 64%), DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr.* (35; 59%), S Jaylinn Hawkins* (33; 56%), DT Davon Godchaux* (31; 53%), DE/ED Deatrich Wise Jr. (25; 42%), ED Yannick Ngakoue (25; 42%), DT Eric Johnson II (18; 31%), CB Isaiah Bolden (16; 27%), LB Sione Takitaki (13; 22%), S Dell Pettus (8; 14%), S Brenden Schooler (7; 12%)
*denotes starter
Christian Gonzalez and Kyle Dugger continued to play their usual every-down roles on the defensive side of the ball Sunday, but joining them among the starters were three new faces compared to last week's game: Marte Mapu, Alex Austin and Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
Mapu and Austin both were on the field for 43 snaps, helping replace the injured Jabrill Peppers and Marcus Jones. The pair performed relatively well, with Mapu especially standing out.
The sophomore safety was a healthy scratch in back-to-back weeks before the trip to Buffalo, but ended up making an immediate impact in Week 16. Mapu registered an interception and a forced fumble, and led the team with two special teams tackles. In addition, he served as defensive on-field signal caller wearing the green dot on his helmet.
Alex Austin served as a starting perimeter cornerback opposite Gonzalez, allowing Jonathan Jones to move back into the slot. The veteran delivered a vintage performance in coverage, helping limit Khalil Shakir to two caches for 22 yards -- the worst statistical outing since Week 6 for Buffalo's top wide receiver.
Jeremiah Pharms Jr., meanwhile, helped replace Christian Barmore after the fourth-year man was moved back to the non-football illness list. The team also relied on veteran Deatrich Wise Jr. and in-season pickup Yannick Ngakoue to help provide pressure and keep Josh Allen in the pocket.
One other player worth mentioning is Brenden Schooler, who was on the field for 7 snaps on defense plus 21 more in the kicking game. The core special teamer served his usual role as a quarterback spy against versatile MVP candidate Josh Allen.
Total snaps: 24 | Time on the field: 1:34
S Jaylinn Hawkins (21; 88%), S Brenden Schooler (21; 88%), CB Marcellas Dial Jr. (21; 88%), ED Titus Leo (20; 83%), TE Jaheim Bell (16; 67%), S Marte Mapu (16; 67%), LB Monty Rice (13; 54%), CB Alex Austin (12; 50%), LB Christian Elliss (9; 38%), LB Jahlani Tavai (8; 33%), DE Keion White (8; 33%), CB Isaiah Bolden (8; 33%), S Dell Pettus (8; 33%), RB Terrell Jennings (8; 33%), DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr. (7; 29%), LS Joe Cardona (7; 29%), K Joey Slye (7; 29%), P/H Bryce Baringer (7; 29%), WR/PR Alex Erickson (7; 29%), RB/KR Antonio Gibson (5; 21%), DE Deatrich Wise Jr. (5; 21%), DT Eric Johnson II (5; 21%), LB Sione Takitaki (4; 17%), C Ben Brown (3; 12%), OT Demontrey Jacobs (3; 12%), G Layden Robinson (3; 12%), G Michael Onwenu (3; 12%), TE Austin Hooper (3; 12%), OL Cole Strange (3; 12%), OL Sidy Sow (3; 12%)
With Marcus Jones out due to a hip injury, the Patriots elevated recent practice squad signing Alex Erickson to the game day roster. All 7 of Erickson's snaps in his debut with the club came on the punt return team; his lone runback did not gain any yards and he also successfully completed two fair catches in frigid temperatures.
The aforementioned Cole Strange also showed up on special teams. His first three snaps since last December saw him line up as a right tackle on the extra point protection unit.
QB Jacoby Brissett
For a second straight week, the Patriots decided to use the entire depth of their game day roster with one exception. Veteran backup Jacoby Brissett was the lone player not to see the field on Sunday.
S Jabrill Peppers, QB Joe Milton III, CB Marcus Jones, RB JaMycal Hasty, OL Tyrese Robinson, OL Lecitus Smith
The Patriots ruled out six players for their game in Buffalo, including three who were dealing with injuries. Defensive backs Marcus Jones and Jabrill Peppers missed the contest due to hip and hamstring issues, whereas running back JaMycal Hasty was out due to an ankle issue.