Patriots Player Spotlight: Pop Douglas Standout vs Falcons

Joseph McLaughlin
3d
2 min read

Photo Caption: Patriots receiver DeMario ‘Pop’ Douglas celebrates a first-down catch during New England’s 24-23 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on November 2, 2025. Credit: Nancy Lane/Boston Herald.

Foxboro, MA — It was 2nd & 8 for the New England Patriots’ offense at the Atlanta Falcons’ 17-yard line. It was the first drive of the game for the Patriots against a formidable Falcons passing defense. Receiver DeMario ‘Pop’ Douglas lined up in the backfield and sprinted forward when the ball was snapped.

Quarterback Drake Maye dropped back into the pocket with time and threw a perfect pass to Douglas for the score. Douglas scored the game’s first touchdown, giving the Patriots momentum towards a 21-point first half. Douglas also highlighted the offense with four catches for 100 yards and the touchdown in the first quarter.

“We know they go man here and there,” said Douglas. “So, me in the backfield, I could line up with the linebacker. Coach McDaniels did a great job scheming the play up, and as I come off, I see a D-End on me. As soon as I saw him try to connect with me, I ran past him.”

Douglas also made a 58-yard catch and run that set up another Patriots scoring drive. It was his first career 100+ yard game, marking a huge milestone for the young receiver.

“It’s a blessing,” said Douglas, on what it was like to achieve that goal. “I tried to get it in New Orleans, but that kind of went away, but it feels good, and definitely getting it with a win makes it better.”

“We've got to keep finding Pop,” said Patriots Head Coach Mike Vrabel. “You always look, and when Pop doesn't have the ball and somebody else does, he's turning and blocking and doing all the things that we ask him to do to protect our identity.”

It was also a personal game for Douglas, who had been battling grief after the sudden death of his late uncle, who passed away the previous night. For Douglas, his effort was not just for him or his team, but for his uncle.

“This whole morning, my mood was just different,” Douglas said. “I couldn’t hold back my tears whenever someone said ‘keep your head up. I just looked to the sky (after the touchdown) and thanked him, I just knew he was here with me today. Next week, we head back to Florida, and he was ready to come, so you know he came early to this game; it’s a blessing.”

Each week, the Patriots’ offense seems to look better and better. Despite some mistakes in the second half by the group, they were able to lead the team to a sixth consecutive win. Douglas shined bright and proved once again to be a valuable piece at the receiver position. They will need Douglas and the rest of their offense to keep the momentum going as the team faces its biggest test since Buffalo in Week 5. The Patriots face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. in Tampa.