Although I was upset about last weeks' loss, I wasn't pressing the panic button and I will not get too high this week. But here we go:
- What a difference a week makes. Last week, people were talking about whether the Pats are frauds. Now they look like contenders again. I think even if the Vikes had Peterson, I think this game would have been lopsided. The Pats were just far more polished this week and playing more like the team we though they were going to be.
- There was a lot of discussion this week about how people thought Chandler Jones was misused. Some disagreed, but most said it was clear he was. I think today proved that theory was correct. Jones switched from DE to OLB and he became a monster today. Two sacks and tons of pressures. He was living in the backfield. His pressure caused a couple other sacks that were made by others. This is the Chandler Jones we were looking for since he came in. If he plays like this for the rest of the year, he could be in the discussion for DPOY.
- Donta Hightower has found his position. He is clearly best suited to be an OLB in the 3-4. Two weeks in a row, he is getting consistent pressure on the QB.
- After a bad game last week, the o-line has a great bounce back game. They did use a lot of snaps with a sixth o-lineman, but they held up well against a good d-line. They didn't do nearly as much rotating of players and that definitely helped.
- Who was Matt Cassel's leading receiver in terms of yards today? Devin McCourty.
- The Pats have caused seven turnovers in two games. This defense has been very opportunistic.
- I wasn't thrilled with the idea of the 3-4 defense because of the Pats' personnel, but if they can play like they did today I could warm up to it. It definitely helps the pass rush.
- I don't know how the Pats do it, but they go from Troy Brown to Wes Welker to Julian Edelman. They always seem to find stud slot WRs.
- I liked that they seemed to be more easing Gronk into it this week after forcing it to him last week. A lot more safer and outside throws. All him to get a little more fluid and confident in his knee.
- We finally saw the Revis we were expecting. He didn't follow one receiver all game. But when he did, he shut them down.
- With an impressive game by Logan Ryan, I am excited about the depth the Pats have at CB. I think when they go to two deep safeties, they will be able to put Ryan there and Dennard at CB.
- All week we heard about Patterson and people wondering how the Pats were going to stop him, but I never understood it. He is not a great receiver at this point and he can be dangerous in the running game, but without Peterson not so much.
- Although I would like to see other receivers step up, I think the game plan limited how many balls other receivers would get. A lot of big personnel and players in to block.
- Ridley is such a violent runner. I hope the fumbling problem is corrected because he can really soften up a front seven.
- I killed the coaching last week, but I gotta give them credit for fixing most of the problems in a week's time. It will be interesting to see if these fixes are lasting beyond today.
Good post Rob.
I especially liked the Troy Brown comparison to Edelman, who IMO is the best PR man in the NFL... by far.
It seems like the Pats recover from bad plays and penalties better than any team can.
When I was asking the Pats to run more, I didn't mean on 3rd and 8. It was nice to see them sticking with the run game more though.
Patrick Chung still stinks.
I thought I read here from someone that the Vikes STs were going to dominate the game. Woops.
How about those Browns and our old pal Brian Hoyer? Until the Pats were born the Browns were my team.
The biggest turnoff in watching games is the officiating. I actually turned off the Steelers/Ravens game last week because of them.
Steven Ridley makes more out of less than any back the Pats have. Too bad he couldn't be more involved in the passing game.
DeFENSE!... DeFENSE!... DeFENSE!
How about those kids from Rutgers. Gotta love those Scarlet Knights (I think that's what they call themselves).
I wonder if the Jets would take Revis back now.
Gost is longer and more accurate than Adam.
It doesn't appear that the tighter rules on the defenders doesn't apply to them when they cover Gronk.