New England Patriots dominate opportunistic New York Jets
The final score indicated a close game, but the New England Patriots 24-17 victory over the New York Jets at Giants Stadium in New Jersey was mostly a lopsided affair. The Jets used two turnovers and two freak plays to cut New England’s lead after the guests had taken a 24-0 lead, but Patriots superior talent prevented the Jets from completing the rally.
Patriots runningbacks Corey Dillon and Laurence Maroney combined for 145 yards on 36 carries. Wide receivers Troy Brown Rece Caldwell, and Chad Jackson pitched in 8 catches for 107 yards and one touchdown (Jackson), while tight-ends and runningbacks supplied 7 catches for 113 yards. Tom Brady completed 15 of 29 passes for 220 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also fumbled once when blindsided on a roll out in the third quarter.
The run blocking was somehwere between very good and great throughout most of the game, but the pass protection was once again shaky, similar to what it was last week against Buffalo Bills.
The front seven had a strong game, and had much success against both the run and the pass from both 4-3 and 3-4 formations.
Some thoughts:
We’re still seeing early-season football. Things will get better as the season progresses.
The Patriots have yet to be stopped in short-yardage situations when they run off-tackle left with Heath Evans as fullback and tight-ends Daniel Graham and David Thomas helping left tackle Matt Light open up a lane.
Patriots are a bit predictable on defense. I expected them to bring a big blitz on Laveranues Coles touchdwon reception, and they did, leaving the still ungelled secondary to whiff on tackle after tackle.
At the same time, New England’s having a hard time getting consistent pressure on the quarterback with only a four-man pass rush.
Tackling, or rather the lack of it, remains a problem on defense. This is particularly bothersome since Bill Belichick has claimed that the team focused on fundamentals during training camp.
Things will be good if the Patriots are 5-3 after the game against Indianapolis Colts.
Monday morning update:
Not much interesting in the newspapers, but a couple of points worth noting:
1) Ron Borges in the Boston Globe on one of the third-down plays in New England’s clock-killing fourth-quarter drive:
Three times they got exactly what they needed to keep the ball and the clock moving, including a 6-yard completion to Reche Caldwell on a third and 5 when Brady changed Caldwell’s route at the line of scrimmage after realizing the one called would have been fruitless. Smart players get the yardage they need, even if they need the help of an exceedingly smart quarterback to do it.
“This quarterback is a whole ‘nother level,” Caldwell said. “That wasn’t the play called. He adjusted my route at the line of scrimmage and we got the first down. All I had to do was listen. I know his decision is the right decision.”
2) Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe notes that the Patriots franchise is now above .500:
The Patriots also reached another franchise milestone, improving to 357-356-9 all time and marking the first time the club eclipsed the .500 mark since the end of the 1968 season when the Boston Patriots’ record stood at 60-59-9.
