Stats on Pats Weekly By Ian Abreu, southcoast247.com correspondent
Week XI Wrap-up
Less than 24 hours after Patriots head coach Bill Belichick's father (Steve) had passed away, the boys in blue gutted out a tough 24-17 victory over the hapless New Orleans Saints. Believe it or not, it was the first time this season that the Pats had won back-to-back games. Tough concept to conceive, isn't it? Desite a late run by the Saints, this one always seemed to have been in the bag for the champs; a 14-point lead late in the fourth quarter. Another important factor in the that I must mention is the fact that the Pats played turnover free football. Tom Brady fumbled once, but it was recovered by New England--no harm done there.
Evans and Company Good Enough to Get Job Done
Half back/Full back Heath Evans has been a God send for the Patriots. After scampering for over 80 yards the week before against the Miami Dolphins, Evans carried the ball for 16 times again for 74 yards (4.6 ypc). Not too bad huh? I'm not too sure where Evans fits in with this team as far as the future is concerned; but who cares, he's producing now and that's all that counts! Full back Patrick Pass played well coming off of his injury as well, going 13 for 54. The air game wasn't great, but it was good enough to get the job done. Tom Brady went 15 of 29, throwing for 222 yards with three TD passes (Branch, Vrabel, Davis). Wide out Deion Branch had just five catches for 38 yards.
Run Defense Superb, Passing Defense Vulnerable
Holding old friend Antoine Smith and the Saints to just 87 rushing yards rushing, the front three for New England (Warren, Wilfork, Seymour)snuffed out the run all day long. Everytime the Pats have held their opponents to less than 100 yards on the ground, they've won. As far as the air game was concerned, well...that's a whole different story! The Pats second secondary has allowed another quarterback to throw for over 300 yards. This time, it was Aaron Brooks. That's bad folks! All day long, the depleted secondary didn't seem to have any options in stopping the pass. I can remember countless third and longs that were constantly converted with relative ease. That was against the Saints! What do you think is going to happen against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday?
That'll wrap up another edition of Stats on Pats, make sure you check with me next week for a complete wrap-up of the Chiefs/Pats showdown in KC. Plain and simple, whoever scores more, will win. Both defenses can't stop the pass; and you know both Brady and Trent Green can take control of an entire just on their arms alone.
If you wish to give Ian some loving, or, bitch at him for that matter, then hit up his email. Ian@southcoast247.com. Don't be shy Pats fans!
Less than 24 hours after Patriots head coach Bill Belichick's father (Steve) had passed away, the boys in blue gutted out a tough 24-17 victory over the hapless New Orleans Saints. Believe it or not, it was the first time this season that the Pats had won back-to-back games. Tough concept to conceive, isn't it? Desite a late run by the Saints, this one always seemed to have been in the bag for the champs; a 14-point lead late in the fourth quarter. Another important factor in the that I must mention is the fact that the Pats played turnover free football. Tom Brady fumbled once, but it was recovered by New England--no harm done there.
