Former Tennessee football QB Joe Milton makes NFL debut with ...

Former Tennessee football QB Joe Milton made his NFL debut for the New England Patriots on Sunday and quickly made a good impression.

Though usual starting quarterback Drake Maye played the first possession in Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills (a 3-and-out), he made way for Milton for his NFL debut in the regular season.

Milton led a good opening drive and capped it off with a 1-yard rushing touchdown on the read option keeper, celebrating with a backflip in the end zone.

It's an interesting spot for Milton and the Patriots in Sunday's game. Buffalo is resting most of its best players with the playoffs opening next week and the Bills locked into the No. 2 seed in the AFC. New England earns the No. 1 overall pick with a loss on Sunday and could fall out of the top three picks with a win. Patriots coach Jerod Mayo, the former Vols linebacker, is reportedly on the hot seat at the end of his first year as Bill Belichick's replacement.

Milton's performance on Sunday could also help him stay in the league. The sixth-round pick last April has been the Patriots' No. 3 quarterback for most of the season and can stake a claim to the No. 2 job with a quality game on Sunday.