5 more of the Patriots’ best plays during the 2023 season

No Patriots fan will remember the 2023 season fondly. It started with a bad draft, was interspersed with terrible injuries (Judon, Gonzalez, Stevenson, Bourne, just to name a few), and ended with a legendary coach departing. But that doesn’t mean everything went wrong.

Through it all, there were still some good plays. 

Brenden Schooler’s punt block against the Dolphins  

This play almost defies description. It was so well drawn up and executed that even the person who pulled it off didn’t believe it happened. In fact, even Schooler’s own mother didn’t believe it. But it did.

Schooler lined up away from the rest of the defenders. He was wide of the formation to get a good view of the ball being snapped, so he had a clear view as he started his run-up.

By the time the ball was snapped to the holder, Schooler was at top speed and proceeded to fly past anyone who tried to lay a hand on him. 

Christian Gonzalez’s pick against the Dolphins 

Theoretically, Gonzalez may have been slightly out of position when Tua’s pass was released. And if it had been a deeper pass that Tyreek could have run on, he would have scored the easiest of touchdowns. But it was more of a floated pass.

Gonzalez’s athleticism allowed him not only to run underneath the flight of the ball but also to high-point it before Hill was able to react. ,

Christian Gonzalez’s sack on Jaylen Hurts

There could be a top 5 Christian Gonzalez plays in 2023, even though he only played three and a bit games in his rookie year. He was still named Defensive Rookie of the Month in September though! 

 In Week 1, he recorded the Patriots’ third sack of the season against the Eagles. And it was something to behold. Any defensive end would have been happy with it. He bounced off what was admittedly an incredibly weak block from Jack Stoll (who seemed confused that a cornerback wasn’t dropping into coverage).

Gonzalez had such a smooth path into the backfield he nearly ran past Jalen Hurts. But Gonzalez was so quick he got to Hurts just as he was about to step up to avoid the rush, but Hurts wasn’t fast enough to elude the rookie. 

Pharoah Brown’s touchdown reception 

Brown’s only touchdown of the season was as hilarious as it was unlikely. At one stage, it looked like he didn’t even think he would make it to the endzone. The Patriots lined up with three tight ends, and the Jets assumed they would run the ball.

So they went with just one deep safety. And he “cheated” toward the left side of the formation. Then three Jets defenders bit on the play action, leaving Brown free as a bird- a 29-year-old, 246-lb bird. 

Alex Austin's interception 

Austin arrived in New England in November and is out of contract in March, so there’s no guarantee he’ll be back. But based on his performances, he absolutely should be. Austin only played in five games, but he allowed just 5 of 16 passes to be caught. And those only went for an average of 4.2 yards.  

The 22-year-old was drafted in the 7th round by the Bills, but he arrived in New England after a brief stint in Houston. He played three games as a Texan in September and October but mainly featured on the special teams unit. Houston released him on November 1st when they added J.J Taylor to their practice squad. 

Austin’s interception came against the Bills as Josh Allen threw into double coverage. Somehow, Austin was the only one of the three players involved who actually tracked the ball. His hard work was rewarded with his first career pick. 

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