Former NFL Star Greg Jennings Claims Patriots Outshine Bills in Current Form
The New England Patriots have emerged as one of the hottest NFL teams, racking up four consecutive wins. During this winning streak, New England hit the road and defeated the Buffalo Bills.
New England impressed with its victory over Buffalo, and former NFL wide receiver and current NFL analyst Greg Jennings believes the Patriots are better than the Bills.
“Yes,” Jennings said on Monday during “First Things First” when Kevin Wildes asked if the Patriots have a legitimate claim of being better than the Bills.
“Obviously, we gauge how somebody measures up by head-to-head. It was not a neutral field; it was in Buffalo. When you have that on your resume and you follow it up, all of us wanted to see if you will have a letdown, and they haven’t had a letdown yet.”
A head-to-head victory doesn’t always mean the winning team is the better one, but in the case of the Patriots and Bills, that just might be true.
New England secured two victories since its win over the Bills, defeating the New Orleans Saints and the Tennessee Titans. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Falcons handed Buffalo a setback in its next game.
The 2024–2025 NHL season has offered a compelling case study in roster management, aging curves, and leadership dynamics. Two prominent forwards—Jake Guentzel and Steven Stamkos—have drawn attention not only for their on-ice production but also for the long-term implications of their contracts and roles within their respective teams
The 2024–2025 NHL season has brought renewed scrutiny to the decisions teams make in free agency, especially when it comes to aging stars versus prime contributors. Two players at the center of this conversation are Jake Guentzel and Steven Stamkos. Both were high-profile acquisitions, but their performances and contract values have diverged sharply, raising questions about long-term planning and leadership dynamics.
Jake Guentzel, now 31, has delivered an impressive season with 80 points and a +18 plus/minus rating. His offensive consistency and two-way play have made him a valuable asset, especially considering his age and the fact that he’s still in his prime. Guentzel’s ability to mesh with his new team and contribute immediately has validated the decision to bring him on board. While his seven-year contract carries some risk as he ages, the early returns suggest it was a calculated gamble worth taking.
In contrast, Steven Stamkos, at 35, has struggled to maintain his elite form. With just 53 points and a troubling -36 plus/minus rating, his impact on the ice has diminished. Nashville’s decision to pay him $8 million per year has drawn criticism, especially given the team’s need for younger, faster talent. Stamkos’s decline is not unexpected—most players see a drop-off in production in their mid-30s—but the severity of his defensive liability has been alarming.
However, Stamkos’s value cannot be measured by statistics alone. His leadership during his tenure with the Tampa Bay Lightning was exemplary. As captain, he guided the team through multiple deep playoff runs and was instrumental in fostering a winning culture. Compared to Victor Hedman, who has taken on more leadership responsibilities in Tampa, Stamkos’s presence was more commanding and emotionally resonant. That said, leadership alone cannot justify a hefty contract if the on-ice performance is lacking.
The contrast between Guentzel and Stamkos highlights a broader challenge in NHL roster construction: balancing legacy with present-day value. Guentzel represents a forward-looking investment—someone who can produce now and potentially remain effective for several more seasons. Stamkos, while a legend in his own right, may be better suited for a mentorship role or reduced minutes to preserve his effectiveness.
Ultimately, time will tell whether Guentzel’s seven-year deal proves to be a wise long-term move. If he continues to produce at this level, the contract could be a steal. For Nashville, the hope is that Stamkos’s intangible qualities—leadership, experience, and locker room presence—can offset his declining production. But in a league driven by speed, youth, and analytics, sentimentality rarely wins championships.
In the end, the 2024–2025 season has made one thing clear: Guentzel was a good addition, and Stamkos, while still respected, may no longer be the player who can carry a team. The numbers speak volumes, and the future will reveal whether these contracts were strokes of genius or cautionary tales.
