FOXBOROUGH - After Milton Williams patiently answered a series of questions about Buffalo, playing in prime time, and what makes Josh Allen so good, I circled back to the 26-year-old. I wanted to know if he saw the Panthers' left guard get visually agitated with his center early in the 2nd quarter. It came on an 11-yard sack of Bryce Young, which, while K'Lavon Chaisson gets credit for statistically, was all Williams's doing.
Milton Williams with one of the bigger plays of the game defensively. 14-6 at this point, and Carolina driving. Chaisson gets credit for the sack but this was all Williams. Impressive move. Panthers would eventually miss a FG, and that was that. pic.twitter.com/r3E4eUlPFo
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) September 29, 2025
"Yeah, I think he was upset, but I get it," he told me. "Christian (Barmore) was eating, and the center probably wanted to keep an eye on him. But it's like I told you guys, they can't double us all."
I said, Yes, I remember you telling us that this summer.
"Nah, man. I told you the moment they signed me. I knew it was gonna be a problem."
Pick your poison?
"They gotta, but it ain't gonna come out right for 'em."
On passing downs, Williams has been as advertised through the first four games of the season, even if he doesn't have comparable stats to what he produced as a part-time player in Philadelphia. Still, considering his leap in playing time, he's been plenty effective.
PFF has Williams ranked 13th amongst interior defensive linemen in pass-rush win rate at 15.2%. Meanwhile, thanks to his dominant effort against Carolina, Barmore is at 17.9%, third-best in the league behind only Maliek Collins (21.5%) of the Browns and the Ravens' Nnamdi Madubike (20.3%). Madubike is now on season-ending IR with a serious neck issue.
Those numbers are skewed because the Panthers started the game with a backup right guard and then had to turn to their third-stringer after an injury. I had Barmore for four pressures - doubling his season total in one afternoon - and he drew one flag and could have easily gotten one or two more. However, Barmore's ability to flex like that is seen as a positive sign internally, and the hope is that he's getting closer to being the 2023-24 version of himself, following last year's health issues.
Bottom line is that this is what the Patriots envisioned when they backed up the Brinks truck for Williams, one year after doing the same for Barmore.
Those two, along with Khyiris Tonga, will have to be just as efficient as pass rushers on Sunday, but also elevate their play in the run game. The Bills' run game has been elite this season. James Cook is actually making the contract extension he signed this summer look like a bargain, while the big uglies up front are doing what they've done for the last couple of years, moving bodies.
In addition, no team in the league has embraced heavier personnel quite like Buffalo. Last year, it was their use of an extra offensive lineman. No one did that more. This year, they have leaned heavily on 22 personnel (two tight ends, fullback, halfback), using it 14% of the time (33 total snaps). So instead of having a lumbering 6th lineman out there, the Bills are using rookie tight end Jackson Hawes in that role, and he is kicking ass as a blocker but then also sneaking out as a receiver (He scored a TD against Miami in week three).
"Well, not only the 22-personnel, (but) the 13-personnel," Mike Vrabel said. "They do a nice job of having a run plan each week out of it that they like and that they think is going to give them success, but then also still having the ability to keep the route integrity and running some of the stuff out of that with [Dalton] Kincaid and [Dawson] Knox, and being able to do all those things that they would do out of other personnel groups."
That will test the discipline of the Patriots' linebackers and defensive backs - they can't afford to have bad eyes this week. However, it will also put pressure on the larger bodies on the defensive line, and Vrabel/Zak Kuhr experimented with some heavier grouping on Sunday, using Williams, Barmore, and Tonga together.
"It's football at the end of the day," said Williams. "They go big, we go big, and we see who comes out winning that matchup... It's probably the best line we've seen this year. It's a good challenge."
MR. DIGGS GOING BACK TO BUFFALO
Stefon Diggs is savvy. He knew he'd been getting asked a lot of questions about making his first trip to Buffalo since being traded by that franchise two offseasons ago. Despite having well-documented issues with several things, especially near the end of his time with the Bills, he wisely took the high road.
“Obviously, a little sentimental. I spent a lot of time there. Loved that area,” Diggs said. “I’m familiar with the guys there, the guys that I did maintain a relationship with. I’m looking forward to seeing them, but it’s gonna be a little bit emotional. Try to keep the main thing the main thing, but it’s my first time back there. It’s going to be a helluva atmosphere. Was a part of that for a long time. I played there before I got there, so I’m excited."
Diggs was asked straight-up if he wanted to leave Buffalo in 2023. He did not give a straight answer.
“It’s the nature of the business. I guess. Obviously, it was hard for me. It was a difficult time. Obviously, I spent so much time there, I built a lot of bonds, a lot of friendships, so it’s obviously gonna be hard and emotional. I look forward to going back and seeing those guys.
“It’s just a nature of the business. I’m not in control of nothing. I get open, I catch the ball. But as far as the internal stuff, obviously I miss those guys over there. You spend a lot of time with people, it) becomes more personal rather than just professional. So when I say it’s the nature of the business, that’s how it goes.”
Meanwhile, Bills players said they're expecting Diggs to be amped for this tilt.
PRACTICE REPORT
Jaylinn Hawkins (hamstring) didn't practice on Wednesday. He missed the entirety of the second half in Sunday's win over the Panthers. Kyle Dugger replaced Hawkins in the lineup, and second-year pro Dell Pettus then assumed Dugger's role when the Pats went with their big nickel defense.
Having released Jabril Peppers before the season started, the team's depth is paper-thin at the position. The obvious move would be to work Marte Mapu more at his original position, but he hasn't been anything more than average in his current role as part of the smaller nickel package. Vrabel said he had considered moving any corners into that role.
Chaisson was also absent, but he followed a similar pattern last week. The veteran edge rusher has been hit or miss against the run, but the Pats will certainly need his speed off the edge as a means to corral Allen.
Meanwhile, Jahlani Tavai returned to practice, meaning the 21-day clock to return from injured reserve or remain on it for the duration of the year has started. Considering the Pats' troubles at the linebacker spot next to Robert Spillane, getting the veteran back could be a boost. But Tavai can be a liability in coverage, much like Christian Elliss has been thus far. Based on how Vrabel spoke today, I doubt you'll see Tavai this weekend.
