We are over four months away from the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay and the battle for the No. 1 pick was an intense one on Sunday. Going into action in Week 18, the New England Patriots held the top pick and unless they beat the AFC East Division champion Buffalo Bills, they were going to secure the top pick in April.
Buffalo had nothing to play for as they had locked up the division title weeks ago and they were locked into the No. 2 in the AFC behind the Kansas City Chiefs. Quarterback Josh Allen only took one snap to keep his consecutive game streak alive, but after that, the Bills played their backups and almost dared the Patriots to beat them and lose the No. 1 pick.
That's exactly what happened.
Former Virginia Tech kicker Joey Slye kicks the Patriots from No. 1 draft pick
Buffalo had nothing to play for and it would have been a successful weekend if they lost and cost their division rivals the No. 1 pick. That's what happened and former kicker Joey Slye played a big role booting three field goals for New England in a 23-16 victory at Gillette Stadium. They fell to the fourth pick behind the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and New York Giants.
Slye kicked all three of his field goals in the second half, connecting on kicks from 41, 42, and 50 yards to rally the Patriots from a 17-16 deficit to win the game. Slye joined New England last spring and beat out youngster Chad Ryland in training camp to win the job and he made an immediate impact. He also kicked a franchise-record field against San Francisco in September.
In Week 1, he kicked three field goals from 32, 35, and 37 yards in a stunning upset of the Cincinnati Bengals, 16-13. That loss will likely cost Joe Burrow and his teammates a berth in the AFC playoffs.