The Patriots dressed eight offensive linemen in Sunday’s win, and despite there being no injuries, played all eight of them on offense.

That’s rare during an NFL game. Starting left tackle Vederian Lowe, left guard Mike Jordan, center Ben Brown, right guard Mike Onwenu and right tackle Demontrey Jacobs played every snaps, and the Patriots’ three backups all got snaps, as well. Center Lecitus Smith (three snap) was used early as a jumbo tight end/H-back, guard Zachary Thomas was used later as a jumbo tight end, and guard Sidy Sow lined up at fullback on the Patriots’ game-winning touchdown run.

“What was perceived, I would say, earlier on as a weakness on this team has now become a strength, and that has been through (executive vice president of player personnel) Eliot (Wolf) and his team and the acquisition of guys like Lecitus,” head coach Jerod Mayo said Monday morning. “Look, Lecitus is one of those guys that practices hard. He’s a great professional off the field as well, and we felt good putting those guys in to move the defensive linemen, and they did that.”

Brown, Jacobs, Smith and Thomas all were acquired after late-August roster cutdowns. The Patriots’ depth has certainly improved since the beginning of the season. The Patriots’ pass protection has also improved over the last three games.

It might be a stretch to say the offensive line, overall, is a strength, but the team’s work in improving the unit has certainly paid off.

Mayo was asked on WEEI about critical comments former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick made last week: “Look, I learned a lot from coach. I learned a lot on the field, off the field, all those things. In saying that, I have to do what I believe in. And that’s what it comes down to” … Mayo said the Patriots were trying to drain clock at the end of the first half but “if we pop that run, then we’ll get into our two-minute or no-huddle stuff” … On drops from the team’s wide receivers, Mayo said “they definitely have to be better.”