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Patriots Gridiron News: Finally, the clutch Chris Hogan shows up

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

FOXBOROUGH, MA - OCTOBER 14: Chris Hogan #15 of the New England Patriots makes a catch while under pressure from Kendall Fuller #23 of the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth quarter of a game at Gillette Stadium on October 14, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - OCTOBER 14: Chris Hogan #15 of the New England Patriots makes a catch while under pressure from Kendall Fuller #23 of the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth quarter of a game at Gillette Stadium on October 14, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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In the New England Patriots 43-40 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, wide receiver Chris Hogan came up with a few big plays to help the offense roll on.

What’s wrong with Chris Hogan?  Nothing.  Like most of the New England Patriots offense, the former lacrosse player struggled through the first few games of the season, primarily due to the absence of Julian Edelman.

Now, with Edelman back and the insertion of Josh Gordon into the offense, Hogan seems to be going back to his old ways of always being open.  Against the Chiefs, the veteran receiver hauled in four receptions for 78 yards.

As the third or fourth option, the Chris Hogan we all know is back to making plays when the opportunities arise.

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"“That’s just football,” Hogan said after the game.  “You can’t do everything on the field.  I just have to make sure that for 60 minutes, I’m going out there and doing my job, running routes the best that I can and trying to get open.  When the opportunities come my way, I’m going to try to make the play.”"

Reminiscent of the plays he made in big playoff games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and in Super Bowl LI and LII, Chris Hogan makes the big catch when Brady does go his way.  His lack of production earlier in the season and the plays he is making now proves he is better as a third or fourth option in the offense.

When he was elevated to the No. 1 receiver or even second option, defenses were able to take him out of the game because he doesn’t have the elite speed or quickness to get open.  There were also questions on whether Hogan has fallen out of Tom Brady’s circle of trust.

In a big game like the game Sunday night against the Kansas City Chiefs, it appears the answer to that question is no.  Chris Hogan is still an option when it counts.  Most importantly, he is stepping up when his number is called.

Whatever happened to Phillip Dorsett?

While Chris Hogan and Josh Gordon were making plays, a player was quiet during the game was Phillip Dorsett.

In playing just three offensive snaps, Dorsett appears to be the receiver affected most by both the return of Julian Edelman and Gordon’s increased role.

Now, that can change on a week-to-week basis going forward, but it appears as those top offensive weapons get more comfortable in the offense, Dorsett’s role and production will decrease.  Interestingly, even Cordarrelle Patterson got in for more snaps than Phillip Dorsett in Sunday night’s showdown.

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Dorsett sliding down on the depth chart shows just how quickly things have changed for the New England Patriots offense since that Week 3 debacle against the Detroit Lions.

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