He is not fancy in his performances, but neither is the team he plays for.
It was another workmanlike Sunday for linebacker Dont’a Hightower on the road against the Buffalo Bills. The New England Patriots defensive star led the squad in tackles with six, giving him 33 total stops on the season.
Regardless of Buffalo’s success on the ground (167 yards), Hightower and company held Rex Ryan’s group to a 30.8 percent conversion rate on third down. With Hightower keeping the Bills’ offense off the field, it allowed Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady to throw for 315 yards and four touchdowns on 22 of 33 completions.
The ex-Alabama standout is one of the team leaders in tackles, and his performance helped New England secure a 41-25 win. Hightower and the Patriots are now 7-1 and in full control of the AFC East.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
