Cowboys' Trey Lance, Patriots' Joe Milton Applauded by NFL Fans in Week 18 Starts
January 5, 2025
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance and New England Patriots signal-caller Joe Milton both got home starts on Sunday in their teams' final regular-season games of the 2024 season.
Lance got the nod against the Washington Commanders, while Milton went to work against the Buffalo Bills.
Lance fared well in his first start since Week 2 of the 2022 season, when he played for the San Francisco 49ers. The No. 3 overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft completed 20-of-34 passes for 244 yards in a 23-19 loss to Washington. He also rushed for 26 yards on six carries.
Meanwhile, Milton propelled the Pats to a 23-16 victory, completing 22-of-29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 15 yards and another score. The ex-Tennessee star did his work against the Bills' backups with Buffalo previously clinching the AFC's No. 2 seed, but he still impressed nonetheless.
Lance and Jalen Tolbert (four catches, 98 yards) had a good thing going all game. Tolbert was the Cowboys' de-facto top wideout with superstar CeeDee Lamb out with a sprained AC joint.
Dallas Cowboys @dallascowboysTrey finds JT π―<br><br>πΊ: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WASvsDAL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WASvsDAL</a> on FOX<br>π²: Stream on NFL+ <a href="https://t.co/LvklCbYJ1e">https://t.co/LvklCbYJ1e</a> <a href="https://t.co/LppeKtPsb2">pic.twitter.com/LppeKtPsb2</a>
Dallas Cowboys @dallascowboys19 β‘οΈ 1<a href="https://twitter.com/treylance09?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@treylance09</a> to <a href="https://twitter.com/Jalen8Tolbert?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Jalen8Tolbert</a>!<br><br>πΊ: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WASvsDAL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WASvsDAL</a> on FOX<br>π²: Stream on NFL+ <a href="https://t.co/37KFppNs5v">pic.twitter.com/37KFppNs5v</a>
Lance added some explosive plays to the Cowboys' arsenal on this day.
Dallas added Lance via trade from the 49ers in Aug. 2023. Lance was once the quarterback of the future in San Francisco, but he suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the second game of the 2022 campaign. Later that year, Brock Purdy took over as QB1 and never looked back.
He didn't pay at all in 2023 and threw just seven passes in 2024 before Sunday but got his chance against Washington.
Lance certainly wasn't perfectβhe notably short-armed a potential touchdown throw to a wide-open Rico Dowdle on fourth down that would have given Dallas a 12-3 lead in the second quarterβbut he did well enough for Dallas to win.
However, the Commanders marched 91 yards down the field in 11 plays, capped by a five-yard Terry McLaurin touchdown catch with three seconds left.
Still, Lance did impress folks with his work.
David Bousquet @DjbousquetTrey Lance has always been a great 2nd half QB. Starts a little slow and turns it on at the end as he is more comfortable. He needs the reps he needs to play. He's looking good. Hopefully he gets his shot in the future and hopefully he ends the game strong. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/treylance?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#treylance</a> great game <a href="https://t.co/vtVIxn9U00">pic.twitter.com/vtVIxn9U00</a>
In New England, franchise rookie quarterback Drake Maye got the start, but Milton soon swooped in. He impressed with his rocket arm and mobility to evade oncoming Bills defenders.
Milton got going early with this laser to Pop Douglas.
Later in the quarter, Milton kept the ball for a one-yard rush and celebrated with a back flip.
New England Patriots @PatriotsThat first <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFL</a> TD feeling <a href="https://twitter.com/Qbjayy7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Qbjayy7</a> βΌοΈ<a href="https://twitter.com/budlight?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@budlight</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EasyToCelebrate?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EasyToCelebrate</a> <br><br>πΊ: CBS <a href="https://t.co/tmdGwoMSTN">pic.twitter.com/tmdGwoMSTN</a>
Milton had a bunch of highlights, including this one to Keyshon Boutte, who finished with seven catches and 117 yards. Here, Boutte snagged a 48-yard touchdown after Milton ran away from the defense and threw cross-body to an open Boutte, putting New England up 13-7.
The Milton-Douglas combo worked again later in the third quarter.
New England Patriots @PatriotsAn absolute laser from <a href="https://twitter.com/Qbjayy7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Qbjayy7</a> π₯<a href="https://twitter.com/popshotta3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@popshotta3</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NEPats?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NEPats</a> <br><br>πΊ: CBS <a href="https://t.co/XGo8YO0RPa">pic.twitter.com/XGo8YO0RPa</a>
In the fourth, Milton made an unbelievable play to run away from Bills defenders yet again to find Douglas for a 25-yard touchdown, but it was called back for holding.
That drive ended with a field goal from Joey Slye, who added another one later in the quarter for the 23-16 win.
Not every Patriots fan may be happy as the Patriots' win ended their chances to get the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Still, Milton was awfully impressive in his first-ever NFL action.
In an eventful Week 18, Lance and Milton fared well enough to make an imprint on the regular season's final day.