New England Patriots: Grading Position Groups Week 12

Nov 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Brandon LaFell (19) brings in a reception setting up the game tying field goal in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Patriots 30-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Wide Receivers

Grade: D-

The Patriots are missing their top two receivers due to injuries right now, and their replacements are not very good.

Patriot receivers only caught five passes for 44 yards, with Brandon LaFell accounting for four of those catches. Now, a 55-yard Keshawn Martin catch was negated by a holding call, but that doesn’t change the fact that the receiving corps were widely ineffective. Danny Amendola needs to get healthy very soon, because it’s unlikely a free agent could make much of a difference.

Brandon LaFell is the reason the receivers didn’t get an F. While he still hasn’t played to the level he did a year ago, he did make a key catch on the Patriots’ final drive to put them in field goal range for Stephen Gostkowski. However, LaFell still needs to step his game up in order for the Patriots to be successful down the line.

Next: Tight Ends