Our offseason countdown continues with the sixth best Patriots moment of 2023.
We’re slowly creeping up to the deadest time on the NFL calendar, which makes us slowly creeping up to the Top 5 Best New England Patriots Moments of 2023 a very nice coincidence. Just one more to go, and we’re into the Top 5.
But first, the list so far:
10. The Patriots draft Christian Gonzalez.
9. Jabrill Peppers truck-sticks Davante Adams to set up a Jahlani Tavai interception.
8. Christian Gonzalez wins Defensive Rookie of the Month.
7. Bailey Zappe connects with Hunter Henry on a 24-yard laser to open up the game against the Steelers.
At Number 6, one of the more pleasant surprises of the 2023 season with undoubtedly his biggest moment.
6. Pharaoh Brown scores his first NFL touchdown with a 58-yard catch and run against the New York Jets.
The 0-2 Patriots traveled to New Jersey on September 24, 2023 to take on the 1-1 Jets in desperate need of a win. Falling to 0-3 simply wasn’t an option, and coming off two hard-fought losses to the Eagles and Dolphins, this Jets game represented the perfect opportunity to get the season back on track.
As the offense once again struggled to get going, the defense was absolutely lights out. New York’s first four possessions netted a total of negative six yards. The Patriots should have had two field goals on their first three drives, but after nailing one 48 yarder, Chad Ryland shanked the other one to keep the Jets in it. But the way the D was playing, it was pretty obvious that all the Patriots needed was one big play.
And that big play came courtesy of one of New England’s most reliable offensive weapons in 2023: Pharaoh Brown.
An UDFA in 2017, Brown initially signed with the Raiders before bouncing around the league; he did two stints with the Browns, some time with the Colts and Texans, and was signed to New England’s practice squad just a few weeks prior to this game.
With New England driving up 3-0, the Patriots lined up at their own 42 with a fresh set of downs, courtesy of a nice Mac Jones to DeMario Douglas connection. On 1st and 10, Jones sent Mike Gesicki in motion and froze the linebackers with the play action just long enough for Brown to sneak into the second level, wide open. Mac Jones hit him in stride at the Jets 38 with nothing between him and the end zone but grass and a bunch of Jets trailing behind. Patriots 10, Jets 0.
It would represent the only TD the Patriots scored that day, but it ended up being enough. The defense remained as stifling as ever, the game was never in doubt, and New England got their first win of the season with a 15-10 final score.
I wish that New England had figured out a way to keep Brown; he wouldn’t have broken the bank and was a solid, versatile tight end for a team very thin at the position. But unfortunately, the Seahawks signed Brown to a one-year deal this past March, so there’s nothing to do but tip your cap and wish him the best. In a season completely devoid of offensive talent and big moments, Brown was one of the few reliable players. And this is one of those plays that would make a Top 20 Countdown in any season, so I’m happy to put the big guy here at Number 6.
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