Cam & the Pats rush past Miami!

TEAM	1	2	3	4	T
MIA	0	3	0	8	11
NE	0	7	7	7	21

The Patriots started off the post-Brady era with a win, as they knocked off the Miami Dolphins (0-1) with a 21-11 victory in an empty Gillette Stadium. Cam Newton made his heavily anticipated debut as the team’s quarterback, and was efficient as both a rusher and a passer. In addition, Bill Belichick’s defense came to play, as they were able to mostly shut down Miami’s offense throughout the game.

Here are some takeaways from this Week 1 contest.

1. Cam and the offense had their way

As I mentioned in my preview for this game, the biggest question mark for the Patriots was definitely Cam Newton’s health and effectiveness, as we hadn’t seen him in action for almost a year. Newton didn’t disappoint, as he had 230 total yards, including 2 rushing touchdowns. He was a decisive rusher, and most surprisingly, he didn’t shy away from contact, with a clear highlight being his second touchdown, where he got hit hard by a Dolphins’ defender as he crossed the goal line. After two decades with a immobile quarterback, it was fascinating to see the designed runs cooked up by Josh McDaniels, which varied from option runs to simple draws.

Furthermore, Newton’s passing was crisp, and apart from a couple of drops and pass breakups, he was accurate with the football. It was encouraging to see him build a rapport with Julian Edelman (5 receptions for 57 yards), N’Keal Harry (5 receptions for 39 yards), and James White (3 receptions for 30 yards). The trio will need to step up throughout the season for the team to have success getting the ball down the field. Unfortunately for Harry, he had a crucial fumble into the end zone which ended a great drive in second half, and breathed new life into Miami’s comeback attempt. More than anything else, Bill Belichick values protecting the football, so I’m sure that he let the second-year receiver know that mistakes like that won’t be tolerated in the future.

I believe that the offensive line had a great game, as they were able to protect Newton (he was only sacked 2 times), and clear lanes for the team’s running backs. It was encouraging to see David Andrews return to action after missing last season, and it was clear that having him back helped anchor the offensive line. The team’s running backs (along with Newton) collaborated for 217 yards on the ground, setting a record for a Patriots’ season opener. After struggling for most of last season, Sony Michel showed some burst, although he only netted 37 yards, to go along with a touchdown. The biggest surprise from the running back room had to be undrafted rookie J.J. Taylor, who showed his ability to be a power runner despite his shorter stature, as he totaled 28 yards off of 4 carries.

All in all, having a versatile quarterback such as Newton helped change the pace of the Patriots offense, as they’re definitely more versatile than they’ve been in the past. However, it’s important to note that they will probably switch things up as they get through the season, as it’s not sustainable to have Newton rush 15 times per game.

(Steven Senne/AP)

 

2. The secondary led the defense once again

The last time these two teams met, Miami had their way against the previously impervious Patriots’ secondary, as they were able to drive down the field at will to win the game. Yesterday was a different story, as the Patriots were able to force Ryan Fitzpatrick into throwing three interceptions, with Stephon Gilmore, Adrian Phillips, and JC Jackson responsible for the turnovers. Apart from some mental errors that extended drives due to penalties in the second half, it’s hard to be mad at how the Patriots’ secondary played yesterday. However, they’ll have to be better as their competition becomes tougher.

The Patriots’ defense was much better against the run, as they held Miami to 87 yards as a team, with crafty veterans Matt Breida (5 carries for 22 yards) & Jordan Howard (8 yards for 7 yards) accounting for less than 30 yards combined. My only complaint is that that they struggled to contain Fitzpatrick coming out of the pocket, as he picked up a few first downs, and even scored on a two-point conversion.

To sum up their defensive performance, I was impressed by the way they locked up a sneaky good Miami offense, but there are definitely kinks to be worked up as the season progresses.

Sep 13, 2020; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Preston Williams (18) runs the ball against New England Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings (58) and defensive back Jonathan Jones (31) at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

 

Statistical Leaders:

Patriots

• Passing: Cam Newton – 15/19 for 155 yards
• Rushing: Cam Newton – 15 carries for 75 yards, & 2 touchdowns
• Receiving: Julian Edelman – 5 receptions for 57 yards
• Defensive: Adrian Phillips – 9 total tackles

Dolphins

• Passing: Ryan Fitzpatrick – 20/30 for 191 yards, & 3 interceptions
• Rushing: Myles Gaskin – 9 carries for 40 yards
• Receiving: Devante Parker – 4 receptions for 47 yards
• Defensive: Jerome Baker – 16 total tackles (including 1 sack)

Bonus:

1. New uniforms!

It was great seeing the Patriots debut their new uniforms, which looked great under the September sun, although it wouldn’t be a bad idea to introduce silver or white pants.

Sep 13, 2020; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) runs with the ball during the second half of a game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

2. Artificial crowd

The artificial crowd noise concocted by the NFL left a bit to be desired, as it definitely didn’t sound like a real crowd was in attendance, but I’m guessing that it will be improved as the season goes on. 

3. Post game tussle

Cam Newton and some Miami defenders got into it after the game ended, with Newton insisting that they tried to yank one of the chains around his neck. Newton mocked them after the game on his Instagram, although two Dolphins chimed in to say that they didn’t want his “weak” chain.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cam Newton (@cameron1newton)

What’s next?: The Patriots head out west to Seattle to take on Russell Wilson & the Seahawks (1-0) on Sunday Night Football.

Can the new look Patriots exact revenge on Miami?

 

 

In the NFL, it’s common knowledge that you’re not entitled to anything. If you want to put your team in a good position to succeed in the playoffs, you need to show up when it matters. Unfortunately for the Patriots, they didn’t seem to get the memo last season, when they unexpectedly dropped their regular season finale to the Miami Dolphins at home. That loss prevented New England from securing a first round bye, and forced them to host Tennessee for a Wild Card game that ended up being Tom Brady’s last game as a Patriot.

A lot of things have changed since that matchup in December, from the pandemic, to the vast exodus of veterans from the Patriots roster during free agency. A win tomorrow won’t change the result from that Week 17 contest, but it would help set the tone for a wildly different season with Cam Newton under center.

With that being said, here’s what to look forward to during this Week 1 matchup.

1. What will the Patriots’ offense look like?

New England’s offensive struggles throughout the tumultuous 2019 season were well documented, as it quickly became evident that receivers other than Julian Edelman consistently struggled to get open against man coverage. Other than letting Phillip Dorsett walk & releasing Mohamed Sanu, Bill Belichick didn’t do much to overhaul the wide receiver corps, which means that the Patriots will be relying on Edelman, N’Keal Harry, and Jakobi Meyers to carry the load. Personally, I’m excited to see what newcomer Damiere Byrd can bring to the table, as his pure speed could help open things up down the field. Due to the strength of Miami’s secondary, I’m pessimistic about the Patriots’ chances of winning one-on-one matchups against Dolphin defenders. However, the addition of rookie tight ends Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene could help lighten the load for the team’s wide receivers, as they are definitely miles better than the team’s putrid tight end room from last season. Based on what we’ve heard from training camp, both Asiasi & Keene are dynamic, but the learning curve for rookie tight ends is typically steep, so it will definitely be a storyline to follow.

After a stellar rookie season, Sony Michel struggled mightily during the 2019 season, as he had a tough time getting started behind a patchwork offensive line. Luckily for Michel, starting center David Andrews is returning to action, after missing the entire 2019 season due to blood clots in his lungs. Andrews was a key anchor for the offensive line that dominated opponents during the Patriots’ last run to the Super Bowl. Michel had a leg injury that sidelined him for most of training camp, but when he returned, it was reported that he was quicker and more agile than the last time we saw him. As always, the Patriots will turn to the reliable duo of James White & Rex Burkhead to supplement Michel, with the two veterans also playing an important role in the passing game as well. The most intriguing member of the running back room has to be Damien Harris, who had a strong training camp until he suffered an untimely injury that will sideline him for at least 3 weeks.

I think it’s obvious that the biggest question mark surrounding the Patriots right now has to be the health & effectiveness of Cam Newton. Due to a lack of preseason games, we haven’t seen Newton in action for almost a year, which means that his running ability (which typically energizes an offense) is an unknown for now. Hence, we don’t know how comfortable Newton will be scrambling around the pocket and line of scrimmage tomorrow. Most importantly, it’s interesting to wonder if he’ll still initiate contact with defenders, which was a big part of his game back in Carolina. That being said, the mystery around Newton’s game could actually be a boon for Belichick and Josh McDaniels, as Miami’s head coach Brian Flores won’t know exactly what he’s dealing with. Most analysts have said that they expect McDaniels’ plan for Newton to be similar to Norv Turner’s short passing game from Newton’s stellar but injury plagued 2018 season, which actually seems to suit how the Patriots’ receivers play, as they’re definitely more effective across the middle of the field.

All in all, I’m excited to see how the post-Brady Patriots’ offense looks with a more mobile quarterback in Cam Newton, whose strengths may help cover the warts at wide receiver and other skill positions.

FOXBOROUGH, MA – AUGUST 26: QB Cam Newton, left, and Julian Edelman work out during a drill at the training camp. The New England Patriots hold practice training camp at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA on Aug. 27, 2020. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

 

2. Can the defense deliver?

One of the biggest storylines of the offseason was the news that several Patriots veterans, including key leaders Dont’a Hightower and Patrick Chung had decided to opt out of the 2020 season due to concerns surrounding COVID-19. The absence of these two important defensive contributors will undoubtedly cast a spotlight on younger players on the defense, and test Bill Belichick’s confidence in them.

It may be hard to take the Dolphins’ offense seriously with 37 year old journeyman QB Ryan Fitzpatrick under center, but as the Patriots learned last year, he can hurt you when it matters most. Fitzpatrick’s top two weapons in Devante Parker & Mike Gesicki were key contributors during that December loss, and will likely be an important part of Miami’s game plan tomorrow. Uncharacteristically, Stephon Gilmore struggled mightily covering Parker, so I have to imagine that the reigning Defensive Player of the Year is salivating at the opportunity to exact revenge by locking up Miami’s top receiver. Due to the loss of Patrick Chung, it’ll be interesting to see how the Patriots decide to match up against Gesicki, but I wouldn’t be surprised if their top pick Kyle Dugger is given the assignment due to the success he had during training camp. Having Devin McCourty in the back end will be as important as ever, due to his effectiveness as both a player and a leader. New England will also have to deal with Preston Williams & Jakeem Grant, but I’m confident that the rest of the secondary will be able to limit their effectiveness.

However, the team’s defensive line and linebacker corps are much more of an enigma. The defensive line struggled to stop the run throughout last season, with the Wild Card game being a clear example, as Derrick Henry accumulated 182 rushing yards for the Titans. Other than adding veteran DT Beau Allen, the Patriots mostly stayed pat at the position, which means that Lawrence Guy and a slew of younger players will be tasked with playing much better against the run this season. Tomorrow’s game will be a tall task, as Miami has one of the fastest running backs in the league in Matt Breida, and a bruising rusher in Jordan Howard.

Dont’a Hightower’s decision to opt out dealt a devastating blow to the team’s linebacker corps, as he was a steadying force in the middle of the field. Luckily, the Patriots went into April’s draft with the goal of improving at linebacker, due to the departures of Jamie Collins, Elandon Roberts, & Kyle Van Noy (the latter two players signed with Miami). This led to the team drafting Alabama LB Anfernee Jennings & Michigan LB Josh Uche, who should help add versatility to the position behind three-year veteran Ja’Whaun Bentley. New England will also rely on Chase Winovich and John Simon to set the edge, and get after Fitzpatrick.

The Patriots had one of the NFL’s best defenses last year, so it will be intriguing to see how the retooled lineup looks tomorrow against a Dolphins offense that gave them fits last season.

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 08: Stephon Gilmore #24 of the New England Patriots runs the ball after recovering a fumble against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Gilmore was ruled down after recovering the fumble. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

 

Injury Report:

Patriots

• Yodny Cajuste (knee) – Out
• Gunner Olszewski (foot) – Out
• Dalton Keene (neck) – Questionable
• Cassh Maluia (knee) – Questionable
• N’Keal Harry (shoulder) – Questionable
• Chase Winovich (shoulder) – Questionable

Dolphins

• Clayton Fejedelem (pectoral) – Doubtful

Bonus:

1. New uniforms!

Tomorrow’s game will mark the debut of the Patriots’ new uniforms, which are primarily based on the team’s popular Color Rush uniforms which were worn from 2016 to 2019. Interestingly, this will be the first time the team wears the combination in a non-prime time game.

(Photo via the New England Patriots)

 

2. Fans in the stands?

Due to COVID-19, the Patriots will not have fans in Gillette Stadium throughout September. New England has been provided with a recorded track of artificial crowd noise which will be filtered throughout the stadium.

 

Prediction: Patriots 23, Dolphins 14

Here are my picks for the rest of the NFL’s Week 1 slate (apart from Thursday’s opening game).

Jets at Bills: Bills

Packers at Vikings: Vikings

Eagles at Washington: Eagles

Browns at Ravens: Ravens

Colts at Jaguars: Colts

Raiders at Panthers: Raiders

Bears at Lions: Bears

Seahawks at Falcons: Seahawks

Chargers at Bengals: Chargers

Cardinals at 49ers: 49ers

Buccaneers at Saints: Saints

Cowboys at Rams: Cowboys

Steelers at Giants: Steelers

Titans at Broncos: Titans

2019-20 NFL Playoff Predictions

Here are my complete playoff predictions, from the Wild Card Weekend to Super Bowl LIV.

(Note that AFC predictions are in red, while NFC predictions are in blue)

Wild Card Weekend

#6 Tennessee Titans at #3 New England Patriots

Prediction: Patriots

(Elise Amendola/AP)

 

#5 Buffalo Bills at #4 Houston Texans

Prediction: Texans

(Jon Shapley/Houston Chronicle)

#6 Minnesota Vikings at #3 New Orleans Saints

Prediction: Vikings

(Jack Rodgers / Pioneer Press)

#5 Seattle Seahawks at #4 Philadelphia Eagles

Prediction: Seahawks

(Alika Jenner/AFP)

Divisional Round

#4 Houston Texans at #1 Baltimore Ravens

Prediction: Ravens

(Rob Carr/Getty Images)

#3 New England Patriots at #2 Kansas City Chiefs

Prediction: Patriots

(Photo via USA TODAY Sports)

#6 Minnesota Vikings at #1 San Francisco 49ers

Prediction: 49ers

(Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

#5 Seattle Seahawks at #2 Green Bay Packers

Prediction: Packers

(Photo via ESPN)

Conference Championships

#3 New England Patriots at #1 Baltimore Ravens

Prediction: Patriots

(Photo via Getty Images)

#2 Green Bay Packers at #1 San Francisco 49ers

Prediction: 49ers

(Tony Avelar/AP)

Super Bowl LIV

#3 New England Patriots vs #1 San Francisco 49ers

Prediction: Patriots

(Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

Wild-Card Matchup: Can the Pats stay alive against Tennessee?

For the first time in a decade, the Patriots will be playing on Wild Card Weekend, as they welcome the Tennessee Titans (9-7) for a Saturday night matchup in Gillette Stadium.

Even though New England is favored to win by 5 points, there are many pundits and analysts who believe that the Patriots Dynasty will come to an end tomorrow night.

Here are some things to consider entering this Wild Card matchup.

1. Can the offense deliver?

The Patriots’ offense has been inconsistent at best over the last few weeks, with a solid outing against the stout Bills defense in Week 16, before digging an early hole during a surprising loss to the Dolphins in Week 17. Tom Brady is likely itching to get out and play, due to the constant talk about his future in New England, and the surprising thought that he ranks last amongst all the quarterbacks in the playoffs. Unfortunately for #12, he is facing off against a team that features coaches who are very familiar with how he operates, as Mike Vrabel and Dean Pees were both part of the Patriots in the early 2000s. Brady will need all the help he can get if the Patriots hope to emerge victorious tomorrow.

Tennessee features a dynamic defensive line, which gave the Patriots massive problems during a dominant 34-10 Titans victory in 2018. The Patriots offensive line will need to be at the top of their game if they want to keep Brady upright. In addition, the Patriots’ receiving corps (mainly N’Keal Harry and Mohamed Sanu) has to get separation and make plays down the field in order to help out Brady and Julian Edelman.

The Patriots will also have to focus on producing a solid rushing attack, as the forecast calls for precipitation throughout tomorrow’s game (which may make it tougher to throw the ball down the field). I believe that Josh McDaniels and his staff have to focus on getting Sony Michel and Rex Burkhead involved from the get-go, as it will help take pressure off of Brady and the passing game, and punish Tennessee if they opt to send blitz packages.

If the Patriots want to have the chance to defend their Super Bowl title, they will need to have a great outing by their offense.

(Christopher Hanewinckel/USA TODAY Sports)

2. Will the defense rebound from last week’s debacle?

The most shocking aspect of last week’s loss to Miami was the fact that the seemingly stout Patriots’ defense fell apart against an offensive attack led by Ryan Fitzpatrick, with Stephon Gilmore getting absolutely bullied by DeVante Parker throughout the game. For the first time all season, the Patriots’ defense let down the offense, as they were unable to hold their late lead, which resulted in the team losing their first round bye.

New England has a quick turnaround, as they face a talented Titans’ offense that features playmakers such as Derrick Henry and AJ Brown. Henry led the NFL in rushing yards, and is a downhill runner that will likely give the Patriots problems (as evidenced by their struggles against Baltimore, Cleveland, and Cincinnati). Due to the forecast, it wouldn’t be surprising if Tennessee opts to feed Henry early and often, which could wear out the Patriots’ defense and keep Tom Brady on the sideline.

One of the most surprising stories of this season was the reemergence of Ryan Tannehill as a viable starting quarterback, as he led the Titans to 7 wins after replacing Marcus Mariota as the team’s starter. Similarly to his head coach, Tannehill is familiar with playing in Gillette Stadium, due to his years in Miami, which could indicate that he won’t be as intimidated as your typical quarterback making their first career start in the postseason.

Stopping AJ Brown will need to be of the utmost importance, as the rookie receiver has flashed his big play potential all throughout this season. Stephon Gilmore and the other cornerbacks will need to bounce back with a vengeance to stifle Brown, Corey Davis and the rest of Tennessee’s receivers.

The Patriots’ strength has been their defense, and they will need to find their rhythm once again if they hope to advance to the next round.

(Photo via the Tennessee Titans)

 

Injury Report:

Patriots

• Ja’Whaun Bentley (knee) – Questionable
• Terrence Brooks (groin) – Questionable
• Jamie Collins Sr. (shoulder) – Questionable
• Julian Edelman (knee/shoulder) – Questionable
• Jonathan Jones (groin) – Questionable
• Jason McCourty (groin) – Questionable

Titans

• Adam Humphries (ankle) – Out
• Kalif Raymond (concussion) – Doubtful
• Cody Hollister (ankle) – Questionable
• Dane Cruikshank (illness) – Questionable

 

Prediction: Patriots 27, Titans 23

Here are my picks for the rest of the Wild Card Weekend.

Last week: 10-6

Bills at Texans: Texans

Vikings at Saints: Vikings

Seahawks at Eagles: Seahawks

NFL Week 17 Picks

Last week: 11-5

Dolphins at Patriots: Patriots

Packers at Lions: Packers

Jets at Bills: Bills

Bears at Vikings: Vikings

Chargers at Chiefs: Chiefs

Browns at Bengals: Browns

Saints at Panthers: Saints

Falcons at Buccaneers: Falcons

Colts at Jaguars: Colts

Eagles at Giants: Eagles

Cardinals at Rams: Rams

Steelers at Ravens: Ravens

Titans at Texans: Titans

Raiders at Broncos: Raiders

Redskins at Cowboys: Cowboys

49ers at Seahawks: 49ers

NFL Week 16 Picks

Here are my picks for the NFL’s Week 16 slate of games.

Last week: 8-7

Bills at Patriots: Patriots

Texans at Buccaneers: Texans

Rams at 49ers: 49ers

Steelers at Jets: Steelers

Saints at Titans: Saints

Panthers at Colts: Colts

Bengals at Dolphins: Dolphins

Ravens at Browns: Ravens

Jaguars at Falcons: Falcons

Giants at Redskins: Redskins

Lions at Broncos: Broncos

Raiders at Chargers: Raiders

Cardinals at Seahawks: Seahawks

Cowboys at Eagles: Cowboys

Chiefs at Bears: Chiefs

Packers at Vikings: Vikings

Into the Raven’s Nest

The Patriots have a tough task ahead of them tomorrow night as they take on the Baltimore Ravens (5-2) for the first time in three seasons. Over the past decade, the Pats have played a plethora of tight games against the Ravens, but the main difference in this matchup will be the absence of Joe Flacco, who was replaced as Baltimore’s quarterback by Lamar Jackson.

Here are a few things to consider entering tomorrow’s game in Baltimore.

1. Can the Pats’ defense contain Jackson?

The Patriots’ defense has faced a vide variety of quarterbacks over the last nine weeks, including Ben Roethlisberger and Baker Mayfield, and been able to achieve remarkable success in shutting them down. This week’s matchup will be completely different due to Lamar Jackson’s ability as both a passer and a rusher. It will be imperative for Bill Belichick’s defense to keep Jackson in the pocket, and force him to beat them with his arm. It wouldn’t be overly surprising if the defensive staff opts to keep a spy on Jackson in order to track his movements at all times. If the Pats are able to contain Jackson’s rushing ability, it could play right into their hands, due to their dominant secondary.

The most concerning matchup for the Pats’ defense will be Baltimore’s power rushing attack, which could draw inspiration from Cleveland’s game plan that netted Nick Chubb over 100 rushing yards in Week 8. If Baltimore is able to rush the ball effectively, they will be able to dominate the time of possession, and open up the field through play action.

Having a good performance tomorrow will go a long way in preparing the Pats’ defense for the brutal backend of their schedule.

(Photo via Getty Images)

2. Will the offense deliver?

Tom Brady and the offense have had their ups and downs over the last few weeks, which is understandable for the first half of the season, but starting tomorrow they will need to find some sort of momentum that can take pressure off of their defense.

I would expect the Patriots’ passing attack to be improved this week, as it will be Mohamed Sanu’s second game with the team, which means that he should be more acclimated with the offense’s scheme. In addition, N’Keal Harry was activated off of the injured reserve, which means that he should make his season debut tomorrow. It’s foolish to expect Harry to alleviate all of the Pats’ problems in one game, but having him out there will give Brady a weapon to stretch the field. If Sanu and Harry are able to perform to their abilities, it could make life easier for both Julian Edelman and Phillip Dorsett.

As is usually the case, the Pats’ offensive line will be crucial in this matchup, as their ability to protect Brady and open lanes for Sony Michel to run through will be imperative in deciding the outcome of this game. Luckily for the offensive line, Shaq Mason may be able to play, after missing last week’s game with an ankle injury.

(Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Injury Report:

Patriots

• Matt LaCosse (knee) – Out
• Rex Burkhead (foot) – Questionable
• Patrick Chung (heel/chest) – Questionable
• Julian Edelman (chest/shoulder) – Questionable
• Ryan Izzo (concussion) – Questionable
• Shaq Mason (ankle) – Questionable
• Gunner Olszewski (ankle/hamstring) – Questionable
• James White (toe) – Questionable

Ravens

• Marquise Brown (ankle/thigh) – Questionable
• Maurice Canady (thigh) – Questionable
• Bennett Jackson (ankle) – Questionable
• Patrick Mekari (back) – Questionable
• Patrick Onwuasor (ankle) – Questionable
• Jimmy Smith (knee) – Questionable
• Earl Thomas (knee) – Questionable

Prediction: Patriots 21, Ravens 17

Here are my picks for the rest of the NFL’s Week 9 games (excluding Thursday Night Football)

Last week: 12-2

Texans vs Jaguars: Texans

Bears at Eagles: Eagles

Vikings at Chiefs: Vikings

Colts at Steelers: Colts

Jets at Dolphins: Jets

Redskins at Bills: Bills

Titans at Panthers: Panthers

Lions at Raiders: Lions

Buccaneers at Seahawks: Seahawks

Packers at Chargers: Packers

Browns at Broncos: Browns

Cowboys at Giants: Cowboys

A dominant first quarter propels the Pats past the Browns!

TEAM	1	2	3	4	T
CLE	0	7	7	3	13
NE	17	0	7	3	27

Throughout the season, the Patriots have unquestionably been led by their defense, who have been able to stifle opponents and force them into making costly mistakes. Yesterday’s game against the Cleveland Browns (2-5) was no different, as a dominant start by the Pats’ defense gave the team a lead they would not relinquish, en route to a 27-13 win in sloppy conditions. This victory improved New England to 8-0 on the season, and gives them a 2.5 game cushion in the AFC.

Here are some takeaways from yesterday’s game.

1. The Pats’ defense came to play

As I mentioned in the preview for this game, the utter dominance of Bill Belichick’s defense has been questioned by many due to the supposed weakness of their opponents. This media narrative unfortunately took a hit yesterday, as the Pats were able to rattle Baker Mayfield, and neutralize Odell Beckham Jr (due to an incredible performance by Stephon Gilmore). Even though Nick Chubb was able to gash the Patriots for over 131 yards on the ground, the defense was able to force two crucial turnovers that halted any chance of Cleveland gaining momentum. The first turnover took place deep in Cleveland’s territory, when the ball was kicked out of Chubb’s hands by an offensive linemen and returned for a touchdown by Dont’a Hightower. The second turnover occurred when Chubb outmaneuvered most of the Pats’ defense and appeared to be on his way to end zone, when Jonathan Jones caught up to him and punched the ball out of his hands, forcing a fumble that was ultimately recovered by Devin McCourty. Mayfield also threw an interception, which occurred when Lawrence Guy broke through the line of scrimmage and caught a shovel pass that appeared to be intended for Jarvis Landry. Guy’s interception has to be one of the most bizarre plays of the year, and was also the first interception of his career.

https://twitter.com/FTBVids1/status/1188562515325669377

Ironically, these three turnovers happened on consecutive plays in the first quarter, which helped give the Pats a 17-0 lead.

Even though the Pats did emerge victorious, they need to work on their rushing defense, as Cleveland’s offensive line was able to effectively clear paths for Chubb to run through. If New England wants to make a deep run this year, they will need to shore up the line of scrimmage to prevent opponents from running through them, which could wear them down, and keep Tom Brady & the offense off the field for long periods of time.

(Photo via USA TODAY Sports)

2. Another inconsistent performance by the offense

Through 8 weeks of the season, the story for the Patriots’ offense has been upheaval and inconsistency, and yesterday’s game was more of the same. The offensive line once again struggled to protect Tom Brady effectively, which can be linked to injuries at center, left tackle, and right guard. Brady was efficient when he needed to be, but he did appear to be jittery at times, which is understandable due to the pass rushers on the Browns’ defense. Yet again, Julian Edelman (8 catches for 78 yards and 2 touchdowns) and James White (4 catches for 75 yards) were Brady’s top targets, and came through when he needed them. Edelman was the only Pats’ receiver who appeared to consistently get separation, as evidenced by his two touchdowns in the red zone. White gained most of his yardage on a 59 yard screen pass that came on a crucial third down when Cleveland had cut the lead to 7 points. White’s long catch-and-run got the Pats into the red zone and set up Edelman’s second touchdown. In his debut for the Pats, Mohamed Sanu had 2 receptions for 23 yards, which is not surprising as he has only been with the team for 5 days.

Sony Michel had an efficient day of rushing, as he totaled 74 yards off of 21 carries. Michel was able to find holes to run through, and ran hard for first downs when necessary. Michel’s performance drew criticism from prominent ‘analyst’ Skip Bayless, a frequent critic of Bill Belichick, who opined that the Pats probably regretted picking Michel after seeing what his former teammate Nick Chubb did on the same day.

I really like Sony Michel. I love his former Georgia teammate Nick Chubb, who went 35th overall to Michel’s 31st overall. It’s looking like Belichick made a mistake.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) October 27, 2019

People like Bayless are nothing more than talking heads who try to gain attention by saying controversial things, but all I have to say to him is that without Michel’s performance in the 2019 playoffs, there is no chance that the Pats win Super Bowl LIII.

I believe that the Pats’ offense will be fine over the next few weeks, as they’ll receive reinforcements with the return of Shaq Mason, N’Keal Harry, and Isaiah Wynn. According to NFL insiders, the front office is still looking to add playmakers, so there is always a chance that Belichick finds another offensive weapon before the trade deadline.

(Photo via USA TODAY Sports)

 

Bonus:

1. Belichick gets to 300 wins

With the victory over Cleveland, Bill Belichick earned his 300th win as a head coach in the NFL. Ironically, he earned his first win when he brought his Browns to play the Pats in Foxborough back in 1991.

Here is a video of team owner Robert Kraft presenting Belichick with the game ball.

Robert Kraft presents Bill Belichick with the game ball after his 300th win. pic.twitter.com/Wy3h9geOGo

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 28, 2019

2. Color Rush strikes again!

Yesterday’s win also marked the Pats’ sixth win in their Color Rush uniforms, bringing their record to 6-0 in their mono-navy alternates. The Pats will break out this combo one more time this season when they face off against the Chiefs in Week 14.

Rocking the alternates.

Locker room 📸s: https://t.co/dfKTUdkQXW

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 27, 2019

3. Odell gives TB a gift

Leading up to the game, Odell Beckham Jr. promised to give Tom Brady a pair of Nike cleats made of goat hair, due to #12’s status as the GOAT. Beckham lived up to his word, as he presented Brady with the cleats after the game, which was a gesture that New England’s QB appreciated.

.@obj honored @TomBrady with custom cleats made with goat hair 🐐 pic.twitter.com/KtfJv1zLZT

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 28, 2019

Statistical Leaders:

Patriots

• Passing: Tom Brady – 20/36 for 259 yards, and 2 touchdowns
• Rushing: Sony Michel – 21 carries for 74 yards
• Receiving: 8 receptions for 78 yards, and 2 touchdowns
• Defensive: Jamie Collins Sr. – 13 tackles (including 1.5 sacks)

Browns

• Passing: Baker Mayfield – 20/31 for 194 yards, 1 touchdown & 1 interception
• Rushing: Nick Chubb – 20 carries for 131 yards
• Receiving: Jarvis Landry – 5 receptions for 65 yards
• Defensive: Joe Schobert – 11 tackles

 

What’s next?: The Pats head down to Baltimore to take on the Ravens (5-2) and their dynamic young quarterback Lamar Jackson on Sunday Night Football.

All aboard the hype train!: Will the Pats derail Cleveland’s season?

Over the last few seasons, the most talked teams in the AFC have generally been the Patriots and the Kansas City Chiefs. The topic of conversation shifted entering this season, due to the aggressive moves made by the Cleveland Browns (2-4) to improve their roster. Cleveland added mercurial wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. along with other stars such as Kareem Hunt, Olivier Vernon, and Sheldon Richardson to complement their young core of Baker Mayfield, Jarvis Landry, Myles Garrett, and Nick Chubb. Cleveland has fell short of their title expectations thus far, but their talent alone should make the Patriots worried about their matchup this Sunday.

Here are some things to consider entering this Week 8 contest.

1. Can Belichick’s defense outwit Freddie Kitchen’s offense?

Despite what Bill Belichick’s defense has achieved over the past seven weeks, there are still pundits who choose to dismiss their greatness due to the perceived weakness of their opponents thus far. Hence, playing the Browns’ talented offense should provide the Pats’ defense with a chance to silence their doubters. Following a dominant second half to his rookie season, Baker Mayfield has struggled to begin this season, as he leads the NFL in interceptions through seven weeks. The Pats will need to focus in on Mayfield’s top two weapons, Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, who have the potential to wreck the game if given an opportunity. It will be interesting to see how Belichick opts to match up against Beckham and Landry, but it wouldn’t be a stretch to imagine the Patriots double-teaming Beckham with a cornerback and safety, while matching Stephon Gilmore against Landry.

Facing Nick Chubb might be worrisome for the Pats’ defense, as they have been ever so slightly pervious against the run this season, with Frank Gore and Le’Veon Bell achieving success against them. Chubb has effective during Cleveland’s wins (such as their win in Baltimore a few weeks ago), and would help Freddie Kitchens take pressure off of Mayfield. The Pats’ defensive line and ‘Boogeymen’ linebacking corps will need to neutralize Chubb if they want to be successful.

I believe that the key to victory will be getting after Mayfield with an effective pass rush, which could force him to turn the ball over. Just this past week, the Pats intimidated a young quarterback in Sam Darnold with their pass rush and coverage, which caused him to “see ghosts” on the field. At the same time, limiting Cleveland’s weapons will put the Pats in a great position to remain undefeated.

(Ron Schwane/AP)

2. Can Brady overcome Garrett and the Browns’ defense?

On paper, Cleveland’s defense promises to be the most talented unit the Pats have played since struggling against Buffalo in Week 4. The Pats’ offensive line will have their hands full against Myles Garrett who is tied for the league lead with 9 sacks. Brady’s performance has dipped when faced with consistent pressure, which could play into Cleveland’s hands if the offensive line cannot protect #12.

The Pats’ receiving corps underwent some upheaval this week with the addition of Mohamed Sanu, and the subsequent designation of Josh Gordon to the injured reserve (with the expectation that he will be waived as soon as he’s healthy). If Sanu does play, he should be a good addition to the normal lineup of Julian Edelman and Phillip Dorsett, with Jakobi Meyers also serving as a complementary piece. The Pats will face a good pair of cornerbacks in Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams, who haven’t been healthy at the same time since Week 3.

I think that it would be smart for Josh McDaniels to target Cleveland’s porous rushing defense which is amongst the NFL’s worst. If Sony Michel can get going, the Pats should be able to milk the clock and limit the number of possessions for the Browns’ offense.

(Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Bonus: Color Rush!

The Pats will be suiting up in their popular Color Rush alternates for the second time this season when they take on Cleveland on Sunday. Hopefully they will be able to improve to 6-0 all-time while wearing these uniforms.

(Photo via Getty Images)

Injury Report:

Patriots

• Ryan Izzo (concussion) – Out
• Matt LaCosse (knee) – Out
• Rex Burkhead (foot) – Questionable
• Patrick Chung (heel/chest) – Questionable
• Julian Edelman (chest) – Questionable
• Shaq Mason (ankle) – Questionable
• Gunner Olszewski (ankle/hamstring) – Questionable’

Browns

• Damarious Randall (hamstring) – Out
• Kendall Lamm (knee) – Questionable
• Sheldrick Redwine (not listed) – Questionable

 

Prediction: Patriots 33, Browns 17

Here are my predictions for the NFL’s other Week 8 games (excluding Thursday Night Football)

Last week: 8-5

Seahawks at Falcons: Seahawks

Chargers at Bears: Bears

Giants at Lions: Lions

Jets at Jaguars: Jaguars

Bengals vs Rams: Rams

Buccaneers at Titans: Titans

Eagles at Bills: Eagles

Broncos at Colts: Colts

Cardinals at Saints: Saints

Panthers at 49ers: Panthers

Raiders at Texans: Texans

Packers at Chiefs: Packers

Dolphins at Steelers: Steelers

The Pats’ Boogeymen haunt Darnold and shutout the Jets!

TEAM	1	2	3	4	T
NYJ	0	0	0	0	0
NE	17	7	2	7	33

There were many pundits who expected yesterday’s game between the Patriots and Jets (1-5) to be competitive, due to the Pats’ injuries on offense, and the return of Sam Darnold to the Jets’ lineup. However, a dominant performance on both sides of the ball enabled the Pats to cruise to a 33-0 victory and their fourth straight season sweep of New York. This win improved the Pats to 7-0 on the season, and keeps them atop the AFC through seven weeks.

Here are some takeaways from yesterday’s game.

1. Another defensive masterpiece!

The Pats’ defense was remarkable yet again, as they shut out the Jets on offense for the second time this season, and limited them to 154 yards of total offense. Following a dominant performance against the Cowboys that netted him the AFC’s Offensive Player of the Week award, Sam Darnold was utterly neutralized by Bill Belichick’s defense, as he mustered only 86 passing yards, with a QBR of 0.7. Darnold’s first pass of the game was intercepted by Devin McCourty, and appeared to set the tone for the rest of the game, as the Pats used an effective pass rush to throw off Darnold’s timing and force turnovers. Darnold threw 4 interceptions and lost a fumble, en route to the worst performance of his professional career. Darnold’s frustration can be summed up by him mentioning how he was “seeing ghosts” on the field.

Sam Darnold is mic’d up and he came to the sidelines and said, “I’m seeing ghosts.”

(Via @ESPN) pic.twitter.com/9MoM6Rkmo5

— Dan Roche (@RochieWBZ) October 22, 2019

Demaryius Thomas was arguably the only efficient receiver for the Jets, as he managed to eclipse 40 yards, and drew several flags against J.C. Jackson, which enabled New York to extend multiple drives. Le’Veon Bell was effective on the ground, as he totaled 70 yards off of 15 carries, after being limited to 35 yards in Week 3’s matchup in Foxborough.

The Patriots’ defense has been the catalyst for the team’s unbeaten start to the season, and will need to continue to play at this level as the schedule begins to become more difficult.

(Al Bello/Getty Images)

2. A good offensive rebound!

The Pats’ offense entered this matchup with several questions regarding their ability to overcome their perceived lack of depth at certain positions. Tom Brady and the offense opened the game with a drive that totaled nearly 9 minutes and culminated in a touchdown by Sony Michel. After a few weeks of uneven offensive performances, the Pats were able to sustain drives and move the ball against a physical Jets’ defense. The offensive line was much better at protecting Brady, as he wasn’t sacked, and was hit only 3 times. Due to injuries at fullback, Josh McDaniels enlisted several players to fill the void at the position, with linebacker Elandon Roberts being a notable example.

The Pats were able to spread the ball around, as Brady completed 31 passes to 9 different receivers, en route to 249 passing yards. Brady’s top weapons in this game were James White (7 receptions for 59 yards), Jakobi Meyers (5 receptions for 47 yards), and Julian Edelman (7 receptions for 47 yards), with Phillip Dorsett also pitching in with a 26-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter. Sony Michel didn’t have his best game of the season, but he was effective when the Pats needed him, as he was able to score 3 touchdowns (for the first time in his regular season career).

The Patriots’ offense wasn’t as effective in the second half, but another dominant performance by their defense gave them a high margin for error. The Pats should be encouraged by how they were able to push around a physical defense, but they will need to find more consistency as the season progresses. Luckily for the offense, they will likely get N’Keal Harry and Isaiah Wynn back soon, and today’s trade for Falcons receiver Mohamed Sanu should also give the passing game a boost.

(Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports)

Statistical Leaders:

Patriots

• Passing: Tom Brady – 31/45 for 249 yards, 1 touchdown & 1 interception
• Rushing: Sony Michel- 19 carries for 42 yards and 3 touchdowns
• Receiving: James White – 7 receptions for 59 yards
• Defensive: Jonathan Jones – 6 tackles

Jets

• Passing: Sam Darnold – 11/32 for 86 yards and 4 interceptions
• Rushing: Le’Veon Bell – 15 carries for 70 yards
• Receiving: Demaryius Thomas – 3 receptions for 42 yards
• Defensive: Darryl Roberts – 8 tackles

 

What’s next?: The Pats head back to Foxborough to face Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns (2-4) for a matchup that promises to test Bill Belichick’s defense, as they face off against an offense with weapons such as Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry.