James White reached double-digit receptions for the third time in his career on Sunday.
Was it a silver lining? Yes.
The previous occasions were more prolific. There was a 10-catch, 115-yard showing versus the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 6, 2015, and also a certain 14-catch, 110-yard performance during a meeting with the Atlanta Falcons in February.
Both of those games netted receiving touchdowns and additional marks for White. One of those games netted the New England Patriots a rather important victory, too.
That certainly was not how things panned out in the 33-30 loss to the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium over the weekend, as the Patriots’ defense conceded plays of 43, 28 and 25 yards while allowing quarterback Cam Newton to amass his highest yardage tally through the air since last October.