Some highlights and observations from the fourth quarter:
 Rob Gronkowski had a touchdown in the fourth quarter to help seal the win for New England. (FILE:Icon/SMI) |
The Patriots opened the fourth quarter with another touchdown, which was a 24-yard strike to Rob Gronkowski to extend their lead to 38-13. Gronkowski's touchdown capped a 12 play 75 yard drive, and matched Gronk's 2010 season total from his rookie season, giving him 11 on the season.
Brian Hoyer entered the game at around the 7:00 mark with the Patriots up by 25, and Marcus Cannon came in at right tackle. It was Hoyer's first appearance of the year, with Brady engineering a blowout win to give him an opportunity to work the offense. Unfortunately an offensive holding call got them off to a bad start, and after three straight runs by Shane Vereen they were forced to punt.
The Eagles then put together a 16 play 90 yard drive that ended with a 1yd touchdown pass from Vince Young to Jason Avant to cut the lead to 38-20 with :31 seconds left, which officially put Young at 400 yards passing on the afternoon.
The Eagles tried an onside kick, but New England got the ball and Brian Hoyer simply knelt down to end the game.
Some final stats:
- Tom Brady finished the day 24-of-34 for 361 yards, 3 touchdowns, for a QB rating of 134.6
- BenJarvus Green-Ellis finished with 14 carries for 44-yards and two touchdowns.
- The leading receivers were Wes Welker (8 catches for 115 yards, 2 touchdowns), Deion Branch (6 catches for 125 yards), Aaron Hernandez (6 catches for 62 yards), and Rob Gronkowski (4 catches for 59 yards and a touchdown).
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