What’s that old adage? Oh, that’s right, defense wins championships. What’s the other one? Oh yeah, Belichick doesn’t lose back to back games in a season or to a divisional opponent.
So the Pats start with a three and out opening drive. Not looking very confident. But then the D stuffs the Jets after allowing only one first down. Is this going to be a defensive matchup? I want the Pats to destroy and embarrass the Jets. Humiliate them for that game in week two. Remember we didn’t have Welker in that game.
Pats driving. They convert on a fourth down attempt. Excellent. Then Maroney fumbles. Two weeks in a row, the team driving and looks to be clicking and Maroney fumbles the ball. I sure hope that Morris and Taylor are on the mend. I can’t stand another week of fumbilitis Sandyvagititus.
On the next drive for the Jets facing a third and eight Bodden intercepts for the pick six. So I’m psyched that the Pats have gotten into Sanchez’s head but at the same time a little sad that my fantasy team may lose this game as Brady and Welker won’t see the field again for a little bit.
After stopping the Jets for another 3 and out, the Pats drive the field 76 yards in a shade under four minutes ending with a Moss TD. Brady looks really good in the five wide shotgun set especially with Welker his safety valve in the game.
Another three and out by the Jets turns into a Maroney touchdown. Some think that makes up for the fumble. I don’t. Stop the fumbling!
Following another Bodden pick the Pats get a field goal and go up 24-0. Now here’s where I have problems. It’s 24-0 with about two minutes left in the half and the Pats have the ball. Mankins gets called on a holding and the Pats are facing a first and twenty. Brady manages to get it manageable on third down but then gets strip sacked. The Pats manage to hang onto the ball and look to punt. Which of course is blocked and the Jets score. 24-7 at the half following a missed field goal by Gostkowski.
The second half starts with a stupid challenge. There was no way that you could possibly tell what was going on in that scrum on the sidelines. If you lose the challenge it’s your last one and you lose a second half time out. Simms said it was smart by I totally disagree. The Pats started digging their own graves at that point.
So of course the Jets march 85 yards culminating in a Cochery TD. They chewed up 5:15 or so in the process and all of a sudden the Pats 24 point lead is cut to ten. Everyone’s Facebook status’s were asking the same thing, “What the fuck happened to the Pats at halftime?”.
Thank God for Speedy White Guy Wes Welker. Bodden picks Sanchez for the third time and Welker carries the offense on his back. Reevis can say how he shut down Moss all day (except that TD) but no one could stop Welker. He ended the day with 15 catches for 192 yards and no scores. You thought on that last touchdown attempt the would try to get it to him on the slant. A Thank You for all he did all day. Nope. Two failed Brady sneaks and then they give the ball to Maroney. Rewarding him again with a TD. My brother who was at the game said the fans at Gillette were not too happy with “Happy Feet” and told him as much.
Meriweather gets a pick and Banta-Cain gets a strip sack and fumble recovery in the final few minutes of play. The defense was awesome. Sure the Jets are falling fast in the division, but still, they kept the Pats out of the endzone in their first meeting.
So it’s not the 56 point shutout I predicted but the Pats allowed only one offensive touchdown. They covered the spread and the combined was right at the 45 over/under. I hope this ball hungry (that doesn’t sound right) defense is ready to do the same thing next week against New Orleans.
Shortened week this week with Thanksgiving and Causeway Day. But I’ll still be here to bring you some news.
Welker was a machine yesterday…