New England Patriots: Damien Harris just sounds like a winner

New England Patriots running back Damien Harris had a career day, but it meant nothing due to the team’s 24-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Sometimes the character of a player is not judge in moments of triumphs, but how they respond in moments of defeat.  Despite having a career day rushing the ball, New England Patriots running back Damien Harris wasn’t happy with the overall result.

Rushing the ball for 102 yards and his first career NFL touchdown on just 16 carries, the Alabama product showcased just why he entered the 2020 season with high expectations.

Not only has he flashed in the Patriots running game as highlighted below, he has displayed both maturity and professionalism on a team that has fallen to 2-5.

As one of the bright spots in the team’s 24-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Harris summed up the team’s overall frustration by highlighting that the team still has a chance to dig themselves out of a hole and turn the season around.

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"“We’ve just got to keep believing in each other.  Losing is frustrating for sure, but I have just as much confidence in everyone in this locker room as I would’ve if we had won,” Harris said following the game, as transcribed by Yahoo! Sports.  “We’re in a tough spot right now and we’ve dug ourselves a hole, but that doesn’t mean we can’t dig ourselves out.  It doesn’t mean that our season’s over.  If we don’t believe in each other, then we don’t have a chance.  So that’s the way that this game works.  If we won’t believe in one another, then we don’t have a chance.  So that’s the way that this game works.  If we won’t believe in one another, than who will?”"

It’s certainly been a challenging season for the New England Patriots.  It’s been a season of injuries, dealing with COVID-19 and overall not looking like the Patriots team fans and the entire NFL is used to see on the football field.

Obviously, Tom Brady is not walking out there on that field in a Patriots’ uniform, but there is still enough character on the team to eventually turn this all around and it does start with young players like Damien Harris who are bringing a winning attitude to the team.

In all, his rushing performance on Sunday highlights what the New England Patriots need to do on offense to win football games.  But what was also highlighted or exposed is the team’s defensive struggle against the run.  If they can solve their problems defensively and continue to ride a horse like Damien Harris, there is hope.

Another key to turning around the season is that belief in each other and maintaining the confidence Harris has mentioned.

Yes, Bill Belichick has quite the coaching challenge ahead of him as was pretty much predicted the moment Brady signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but it is not an insurmountable feat.  The Patriots are a few last-minute plays away from being at least 4-3 this season.  If they keep competing and fighting, the results will eventually pendulum to the win column.  They will also find out what kind of players they have in the process.

As of Week 8, they definitely have a winner in 2019 third-round pick Damien Harris, a player who is giving New England Patriots fans some sort of excitement to grab onto.