Copyright MassLive
FOXBOROUGH - The Patriots have established themselves as road warriors. Through four road games, they’re unbeaten. With the Cleveland Browns on tap at Gillette Stadium Sunday, the Patriots know they need to continue to build a presence at home. They’re 1-2 this season, and have been woeful in front of their home fans the past few seasons. Speaking with the media Wednesday, Patriots star receiver Stefon Diggs says it’s time to change the narrative and “protect the house.” “We’ve been road warriors for weeks now. We have to get in front of our home crowd and give them something to be proud of,” Diggs said. “You’re playing for that name on the back of your jersey and the front of your jersey. “Building that energy at home is going to be huge going into the latter part of the season. Trying to stacking some wins here is going to be huge for us.” Harold Landry agreed. “It’s important to win at home. I think we have amazing fans,” the Patriots edge rusher said. “All we want to do is go out there and put out a good product and make them proud. Keep them wanting to come back. “It’s important to be good on the road, but it’s very important to be a very good home team so when you get to the playoffs, home field means something.” Defensive tackle Milton Williams had stressed the importance of getting on a roll at home prior to the Carolina game. The Patriots delivered with a blowout win over the Panthers. It can’t stop there. “You have to protect your home field. We have another opportunity to do that this week,” Williams said. “We’re trying to get wins wherever we’re at, but especially at home. We’re trying to establish that winning culture back to how it used to be.” During the Patriots championship years, or “how it used to be” as Williams said, opposing teams dreaded coming to Gillette. The past five years, not so much. The team has been far from dominant at home (15-27 dating back to October 22 of 2020). This Patriots know they still have a lot of work to do to make their home turf the advantage it used to be.
