Stats on Pats Weekly By Ian Abreu, southcoast247.com correspondent
Week X Wrap-up
Sunday's 23-16 win over the Miami Dolphins was just what the doctor ordered. Timely offense, coupled with strong defense helped propel the the champs to the gritty victory. Everyone seemed to chip right from the get-go. Whether it be little-used half back Heath Evans, rookie defensive back Ellis Hobbs, or even two time Super MVP Tom Brady; all seemed to pitch together as one cohesive unit in capturing the team's second consecutive divisional win (5-4, 2-0). All I know is that Sunday's victory showed us all yet again how resourceful Bill Belichick can be. Literally bringing in both rookies and players off the waiver wire to patch up numerous holes in both the offense and defense.
Where Have You Been Heath Evans?
I'll tell you where he's been--with the Miami Dolphins (3-5). Evans spent the first six games of the season with the Dolphins, hardly played, and was eventually dropped. And who was there to pick up the pieces? A desperate coach on an injury-plagued New England depth chart! All I know is what I saw from Evans, I liked. Filling in for injured back field starters Cory Dillon and Patrick Pass, Evans rushed for 84 yards on just 17 carries; one of which was a 21-yard scamper (second-longest run of the season by any New England half back). In one afternoon alone, he surpassed his all-time yardage total in his previous four NFL seasons. I'm not saying this guy is going to be the next Walter Payton, but let's see what he can do. Seriously. Consider this, he couldn't possibly put up worse numbers than what Dillon has produced this season. For the time being, if you don't wish to see Heath Evans as your every down back--your only other option is former BC stand out Mike Cloud. We all know what a disaster that would be! Quick note on Dillon, he was on the field for the first snap on Sunday, left, and never returned. The Pats are keeping it "hush-hush" right now in regards to his health. Some reports indicate he re-aggravated his sore ankle, while some speculate he pulled a calf muscle. We'll have to wait and see.
Brady and Company Lead Boys in Blue to Another Comeback Victory
Tom Brady did it again, it seems like every time the Pats are in need of late game heroics, old number 12 answers the call. Tommy boy engineered the 21st game-winning fourth quarter drive of his career as he hit Benjamin Watson for his second touchdown of the day, giving the Pats the lead for good at 21-16 with just 2:16 remaining. A Heath Evans two-point conversion bumped the lead up to a full score at 23-16. Brady finished the day going 21-of-36 for 275 yards and two touchdowns. He did, however, throw two picks. Reigning Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch finished strong as well, picking up 82 yards on five catches.
Defense Shows Signs of Big D We've All Come to Love
The Pats repeatedly snuffed out the running game of both Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown--plain and simple. Brown has just 64 yards on 14 carries, while Williams finished weak as well, rushing for just 13 yards on 11 carries. Give linebackers Rosevelt Colvin, Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, and Willie McGiniest all the credit in the world. They isolated the Miami running game from start to finish; everyone knows if you shut down Brown and Williams, you'll have a good shot at beating the Dolphins. As far as the defensive backs were concerned, they weren't great, but big plays were made in desperate times of need. Rookie Ellis Hobbs' first career interception, to go along with a fumble recovery deep in Pats territory are the big plays on defense that the Pats have sorely missed.
As said in past columns, the Pats will win the AFC East with relative ease. They still have yet to play the lowly New York Jets (2-7), and will be hosting the Dolphins in early January at Gillette. The only challenge I see in this division will playing the Buffalo Bills on the road--even that should be another divisional victory.
That'll wrap up the week X edition of Stats on Pats, check me back next week for a re-cap of the Pats/New Orleans Saints (2-7) contest at Gillette. This should be an easy victory for New England. The Saints are coming off a bye week. But that should do little to help their game; they can't stop anyone on defense and their offense is sporadic at best.
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Sunday's 23-16 win over the Miami Dolphins was just what the doctor ordered. Timely offense, coupled with strong defense helped propel the the champs to the gritty victory. Everyone seemed to chip right from the get-go. Whether it be little-used half back Heath Evans, rookie defensive back Ellis Hobbs, or even two time Super MVP Tom Brady; all seemed to pitch together as one cohesive unit in capturing the team's second consecutive divisional win (5-4, 2-0). All I know is that Sunday's victory showed us all yet again how resourceful Bill Belichick can be. Literally bringing in both rookies and players off the waiver wire to patch up numerous holes in both the offense and defense.
