Most everything looked easy for the Patriots in last night's 34-3 drubbing of the Kansas City Chiefs. The win gave the Pats a two-game cushion in the division over the reeling Buffalo Bills and slipping New York Jets. Next up is the Eagles in Philadelphia, on a short week that includes extra time off for Thanksgiving. No easy task; but of course, the Eagles have to deal with some of the same distractions, so it should all come out in the wash.
Not a whole lot to report; just about everything that could go right for the Pats did, and just about everything that could go wrong for the Chiefs did. The Chiefs won the first quarter 3-0, and the Patriots won the next three quarters 10-0, 17-0, and 7-0. Sometimes that's the way it goes, especially when your quarterback is starting his first NFL game at age 28.
Quarterback Tom Brady was held in check for most of the first half; getting sacked three times and harassed on many other plays will do that to you. Obviously old friend Romeo Crennel had some surprises for Brady, but once the Patriots figured out the defense, it was game over. The offensive line kept him clean the second half, and he finished with a 109.2 rating and 2 touchdowns to zero interceptions.
The running game was a bit of a mixed bag. There were lots of plays that got stuffed; but in the end, it totaled 157 yards on 35 carries (4.5 yards per rush). BenJarvus Green-Ellis (20 carries for 81 yards) led the way, while Danny Woodhead (5 for 27) got important yards on inside handoffs, and rookie Shane Vereen (8 for 39 and 1 touchdown) showed some nifty moves and moved the pile on a fourth-down run for a score.
The tight ends starred again among receivers. Aaron Hernandez (4 catches for 44 yards) caught two important passes on the first touchdown drive, and Rob Gronkowski (4 for 96 yards and 2 touchdowns) showed speed and moves on two touchdowns where he tiptoed along the sideline. The rest of the passing game was mostly an afterthought, though it was spread around evenly, which is usually a good sign.
Offensive line play was down in the first 20 minutes and then picked up to give Brady time at the end of the half and for the entire second half. That owed partially to more consistent running plays in the second half; although those also reflect well on the offensive line. Additionally, they did a nice job blocking on screen passes, which haven't gone very well in recent weeks; so that's an area of improvement.
Defensively the plan appeared to be stopping the run and forcing quarterback Tyler Palko, to beat them through the air. He did so on the Chiefs only scoring drive; but after that it was "Bad Palko." Secondary play confused him into holding the ball, which allowed the pressure to get to him, which forced bad throws, which gave the Patriots three interceptions. In other words, Palko couldn't handle the Patriots team defense.
Andre Carter and Mark Anderson brought the heat from the outside line positions, getting 0.5 and 1.5 sacks, respectively. Carter also blew up several running plays and a screen pass before they could get started. And Rob Ninkovich got the third sack of Palko, and also pressured him into his first interception. Note also that the sacks came at critical times, with the Chiefs trying to claw their way back into the game and the defense needing to come up big.
NFL interception leader Kyle Arrington got two of the easiest picks of his career, and unknown corner Phillip Adams got a total gift when Palko thew into quadruple coverage in the end zone.
The kick-return team should have been more ready for the onside kick; though the Chiefs blew it (as they did so much yesterday), so it didn't cost them. The Pats did give up a long punt return, though they got an even longer one back when Julian Edelman zigged and zagged his way through Kansas City for a 72-yard return touchdown.
The coaches made nice adjustments after the first quarter. And they did not get surprised/beaten by a young quarterback, which has often been the case the first time they see one (see Matt Shaub with Atlanta, Chad Henne with Miami, or Ben Roethlisberger with Pittsburgh).
So where does that leave us? A 7-3 record puts them currently atop the AFC, two full games ahead of Buffalo (with one remaining game with them) and essentially three ahead of New york (with tie breakers). The Eagles game will be no picnic; they have an explosive offense (for once you can believe Belichick when he says this), an opportunistic defense, and are desperate to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Statistical Oddity of the Week: The Colts won ten games last year and have zero wins so far this year. If they go winless, they will tie the record for the biggest single-season decline in wins in NFL history. (Trivia question: name the team that currently holds that record. Answer below.)
Bonus Statistical Oddity: The Patriots have outscored their opponents by an aggregate score of 93-3 in the two games my friend April has attended (last night, and the 59-0 destruction of Tennessee two years ago). With that track record in mind, please let me know if you want to set up a fund to make sure she attends all future games (or at least playoff games).
Weekly Water-cooler Wisdom: "I guess there's a reason Palko was starting his first NFL game at age 29."
Keep the faith,
- Scott
PS. 7-3!
PPS. Trivia Answer:
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
The Houston Oilers won 12 games in 1993 and just 2 games in 1994, which is the current "gold standard" for declining wins from one year to the next. Maybe that's why the team doesn't even exist any more.
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
The Houston Oilers won 12 games in 1993 and just 2 games in 1994, which is the current "gold standard" for declining wins from one year to the next. Maybe that's why the team doesn't even exist any more.
No comments:
Post a Comment