Stats on Pats Weekly Article by Joshua Bonneau, southcoast247.com correspondent
Pats answer back with a big win in Cinci
In the wake of last week’s demoralizing loss to Denver, Patriots fans everywhere lowered their shoulders and took a few steps back. Yes, yes, it became question and accusation time in the white hot cauldron that is the Boston media. “…hurt by their failure to re-sign Branch…a dejected Tom Brady…missing Vinatieri…super bowl hopes….” Yup, the angry sentiments of many were echoed from Gillette Stadium, down through central Boston, out across the Berkshires, and back again.
But from my high elevation perch in Boseman, Montana, where I watched the game in a sports bar filled with Broncos fans, dangerous cowboys and other cold brewed Rocky Mountain yahoos, it wasn’t so much about how bad the Pats looked, but rather how good the Broncos looked, and to some extent I have to agree. Granted, the game was decided by the Patriot’s missed opportunities and inability to get things together, but my point remains; it is too early in the season to make any conclusions. There will be no white flags, nor any super bowl banners being waved in week three. It is written.
And just to illustrate, a 38-13 dominating win over the undefeated Bengals in week IV- how’s that for coming off a loss. What’s more is that the Patriot’s have not lost two back to back games now since December 2002. So now that we’re calm, let’s move ahead.
On sunday, the Pat’s offensive return was lead by rookie RB Laurence Maroney, which doesn’t really surprise me at all. As I’ve talked about before, the Pat’s top pick was highly regarded coming out of Minnesota, and many sports analysts say he was the real running back talent to come from the ’06 first round, only to be eclipsed by the larger hype surrounding Reggie Bush. I’m not sure I buy into that, but with two touchdown’s and 125 yards on 15 carries on Sunday, I might just become a believer.
Tom Brady threw for 188 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Corey Dillon, who was the Bengal’s running back from ’97-’03, answered to the resounding boo’s in Paul Brown stadium by throwing the football into the crowd after running in for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
On a less encouraging front, Pat’s rookie kicker Stephen Gostkowski went 1 for 2 in field goals, shanking a forty-three yarder that went sailing wide right of just about everything. I would say keep a close eye on him as a possible liability as the season moves forward.
On defense, the Pat’s became progressively better as the game went on and forced two turnovers late in the game, which the offense capitalized on. Jarvis Green (DE) and Chad Scott (CB) both played well on D- two names rarely mentioned.
Look towards the defensive output next week in Miami as a deciding factor.
In the wake of last week’s demoralizing loss to Denver, Patriots fans everywhere lowered their shoulders and took a few steps back. Yes, yes, it became question and accusation time in the white hot cauldron that is the Boston media. “…hurt by their failure to re-sign Branch…a dejected Tom Brady…missing Vinatieri…super bowl hopes….” Yup, the angry sentiments of many were echoed from Gillette Stadium, down through central Boston, out across the Berkshires, and back again.
And just to illustrate, a 38-13 dominating win over the undefeated Bengals in week IV- how’s that for coming off a loss. What’s more is that the Patriot’s have not lost two back to back games now since December 2002. So now that we’re calm, let’s move ahead.
On a less encouraging front, Pat’s rookie kicker Stephen Gostkowski went 1 for 2 in field goals, shanking a forty-three yarder that went sailing wide right of just about everything. I would say keep a close eye on him as a possible liability as the season moves forward.
