Today In Patriots History September 29, 1980: Defense shuts down Denver amidst MNF drunkfest

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
1980: Defense limits Denver to 8 first downs
Mayhem and anarchy in late night parking lot drunkfest
Patriots beat Broncos 23-14 on MNF at Schaefer Stadium​

Monday Sept 29, 1980 at 9:00
Week 4, Game 4 at Schaefer Stadium
New England Patriots 23, Denver Broncos 14
Head Coaches: Raymond Berry, Red Miller
QBs: Steve Grogan, Matt Robinson
Odds: New England favored by 4
Patriots improve to 3-1, Broncos drop to 1-3


The final score was not indicative of the competitiveness (or lack thereof) in this game. The only things that kept the score close was a pair of Patriot turnovers, and settling for three John Smith field goals. The Pats ran 71 offensive plays to 39 by Denver, out-gaining the Broncos by 357 yards to 170. Vagas Ferguson rushed for 69 yards and Don Calhoun ran for 54; both running backs had another 24 yards each on four receptions. The Patriots controlled the clock, running for 157 yards while limiting Denver to a net 62 yards passing. The Pats had nearly three times as many first downs, 23 to 8.

This game marked the fifth time a Monday night game was held in Foxboro, and it was the next to last time before the town banned MNF. Seven handguns were confiscated by police and fifty people were arrested.

The game was also the second of what would be a five game winning streak, as the Pats began 1980 with a 6-1 record.

Handguns Are Confiscated At Patriots-Broncos Game (Published 1980)

www.nytimes.com

Patriots most memorable appearances<![CDATA[]]> on Monday Night Football

The Patriots have played on Monday Night Football 43 times and have a 21-22 record. As quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots gear up to take on the 11-1 Houston Texans on Monday night, we take a look at some of their most memorable appearances on Monday Night Football through the years, from...

www.boston.com

Four years after the 1976 debacle at Schaefer Stadium, another violent game took place. On Sept. 29, 1980, the Patriots played the Broncos, and since the game wasn’t sold out, last-minute ticket buyers added to the usual rush of traffic.​

Poorly lit roadways and parking lots caused several accidents, and the day was marred by the death of a 69-year-old man who was hit and thrown 100 feet by a car driven by a teenager who, police said, had been drinking.​

Many fans didn’t make it to their seats until halftime and exiting traffic was backed up for two hours. A police officer was hospitalized after being kicked in the back during a fight, at least 50 people were arrested, and 100 were removed from the stadium during the game. The Patriots went on to beat the Broncos 23-17, and drinking and fighting continued in the parking lots until the early hours of Tuesday morning.​

5:52 Highlight Video
9/29/1980 Denver Broncos at New England Patriots highlights, National Football League Week 4



12:16 Highlight Video
1980 09 29 Denver Broncos vs New England Patriots



2:13:51 Full Game
1980 week 4 Denver Broncos at New England Patriots



20:58 NFL Week 4 Highlights
NFL Films 1980 NFL Week 4 in review
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NFL Media Game Summary Artifact

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats:

Denver Broncos at New England Patriots - September 29th, 1980 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Denver Broncos 14 at New England Patriots 23 on September 29th, 1980 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
1974: Pats upset undefeated Rams, 20-14
Defense forces five turnovers
Plunkett throws TDs to Stingley, Vataha​

Sunday Sept 29, 1974 at 1:00
Week 3, Game 3 at Schaefer Stadium
New England Patriots 20, Los Angeles Rams 14
Head Coaches: Chuck Fairbanks, Chuck Knox
QBs: Jim Plunkett, John Hadl
Odds: Los Angeles favored by 12½
Patriots improve to 3-0, Rams drop to 2-1


The Patriots upset Los Angeles, who entered the game undefeated and were coming off a 12-2 season. The New England defense forced five turnovers (two interceptions, and recovering three of four LA fumbles). Randy Vataha and Daryl Stingley caught touchdown passes from Jim Plunkett, while Prentice McCray and Ron Bolton both had picks off John Hadl passes to thwart Ram drives. Future Patriot WR Harold Jackson caught six passes for 102 yards to lead the Rams.

Rams Surprised By Patriots, 20?14 (Published 1974)

www.nytimes.com

Almost nobody believed In the New England Patriots.​

​

Not given a chance in the National Football League's American Conference Eastern Division with the potent Miami Dolphins still intact, the Patriots have been the underdogs in all three games they have played and have won them all. Two of the victories just happened to be over the Dolphins, the Super Bowl champions, and the Los Angeles Rams, the team many experts had predicted would replace the Dolphins as champions.​

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By beating the Rams yesterday at Foxboro, Mass., 20?14, the upstart Patriots remained one of the three undefeated teams in the league. The Minnesota Vikings and the St. Louis Cardinals are the others.​

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“Just too much,” said Chuck Fairbanks, the Patriot coach. “It's remarkable to me that we could really beat that team with all the talent and years of experience they have. The key thing was the play of the defensive team. They came through in the clutch. Jim Plunkett was pretty damned good too, though, most of the time.”​

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Plunkett completed 14 of 25 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns.​

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The former Heisman Trophy winner's big completion was to Randy Vataha, his favorite target when they were teammates at Stanford. It was a 21?yard scoring pass that Vataha snared on the Rams’ 3 with 3 minutes 56 seconds remaining.​

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The play was apparently sent in from the bench. Vataha, benched since the second period after he had dropped one of Plunkett's long passes, had just reentered the game. It was his only reception.​

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The Patriots’ new “stacked” defense forced three Los Angeles fumbles and two interceptions, and was also successful in neutralizing John Had!, the quarterback. Eleven seasons ago he had engineered the San Diego Chargers to a 51?10 rout of the Patriots (then called the Boston Patriots) in the American Football League championship. He was held to four completions in his last 23 passes, and connected on only 13 of 32 for 209 yards for the day.​

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Although the Rams became the first team to gain more than 100 yards on the ground against the Patriots (they gained 109), Los Angeles could muster only 32 yards in the second half.​

4:22 Highlight Video
1974 Rams at Patriots week 3



22:16 Highlight Video
1974 Rams @ Patriots - NFL Game of the Week
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Ancient NFL Media Game Summary

Box Score, Team and Individual Stats:

Los Angeles Rams at New England Patriots - September 29th, 1974 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Los Angeles Rams 14 at New England Patriots 20 on September 29th, 1974 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
1968: Pats rally, hang on for 20-17 win at Denver
Defense leads comeback with six sacks, three turnovers
Marlin Briscoe makes historic debut for Broncos​

Sunday Sept 29, 1980 at 4:00
Week 4, Game 3 at Bears Stadium
Boston Patriots 20, Denver Broncos 17
Head Coaches: Mike Holovak, Lou Saban
QBs: Mike Taliaferro; Jim LeClair, Marlin Briscoe
Odds: Boston favored by 5
Patriots improve to 2-1, Broncos drop to 0-3


The Patriot defense led the way with six sacks and three turnovers, including interceptions by Ed Philpott and Leroy Mitchell. Mike Holovak got the best of his former boss, former Patriot head coach Lou Saban. Jim Whalen (4 receptions, 62 yards) and Larry Garron scored touchdowns for the Pats, and Gino Cappelletti scored eight points on two field goals and two PAT.


Denver was not a good team, in part due to their situation at quarterback. John McCormick, Jim LeClair and Joe Devito had all already been benched for ineffectiveness. When Steve Tensil broke his collarbone in the fourth quarter, Saban inserted Marlin Briscoe as the new quarterback and made history. Briscoe was the first African American to quarterback in the AFL. The NFL had not had a black quarterback in over a decade, and Briscoe is considered to be the first black QB of the modern NFL.

Briscoe connected on his first pass attempt, a 12-yard completion to Eric Crabtree. On the next possession Briscoe led Denver on an 80-yard drive capped by a brilliant 12-yard touchdown run to cut the Patriots' lead to three. The Pats were able to run out the clock and hang on for the 20-17 victory.

Fran Lynch (22, arrow) leans in for a TD to give Denver a 10-7 second quarter lead


2:21 Highlight Video
9/29/1968 Boston Patriots at Denver Broncos highlights Wk. 4 American Football League Marlin Briscoe
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Media Game Summary

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats:

Boston Patriots at Denver Broncos - September 29th, 1968 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Boston Patriots 20 at Denver Broncos 17 on September 29th, 1968 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
2013: Pats fend off late Atlanta rally, win 30-23 on SNF
Aqib Talib with game-saving end zone deflection
Kenbrell Thompkins catches six passes for 127 yards and a TD​

Sunday Sept 29, 2013 at 8:30
Week 4, Game 4 at the Georgia Dome
New England Patriots 30, Atlanta Falcons 23
Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, Mike Smith
QBs: Tom Brady, Matt Ryan
Odds: Atlanta favored by 3
Patriots improve to 4-0, Falcons drop to 1-3


The Patriots scored on four consecutive second half drives and held on to win their fourth straight game. Tom Brady threw for 316 yards with touchdowns to Matthew Mulligan and Kenbrell Thompkins, and LeGarrette Blount, Stevan Ridley and Brandon Bolden combined to rush for 134 yards on 26 carries.

After opening the second half with a 3-and-out, the Pats scored on an 89-yard, 14-play drive; an 89-yard, six-play drive; and an 80-yard, five-play dive. Aqib Talib picked off a pass intended for Julio Jones on the first play of the ensuing drive, and passes to Josh Boyce and Thompkins led to Stephen Gostkowski's third field goal of the day for a 30-13 lead.

Atlanta was able to convert an onside kick and the Falcons drove down to a 2nd-and-1 on the 7. However the Patriot defense forced Atlanta to kick a field goal, and another onside attempt was recovered by Michael Hoomanawanui.

Patriots 30-23 Falcons (Sep 29, 2013) Game Recap - ESPN

Expert recap and game analysis of the New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons NFL game from September 29, 2013 on ESPN.

www.espn.com

The Patriots built a 30-13 lead before the Falcons rallied. Atlanta had a chance to tie it up in the final minute, but Aqib Talib knocked away Matt Ryan's fourth-down pass for Roddy White in the end zone with 36 seconds remaining.​

The Patriots again played without star tight end Rob Gronkowski and receiver Danny Amendola, both left at home with injuries.​

But the Brady-led offense finally looked like itself after struggling a bit the first three games. New England seemed in control when LeGarrette Blount scored on a 47-yard run, and Brady threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to rookie Kenbrell Thompkins.​

Thompkins, an undrafted free agent, finished with six catches for 127 yards -- nearly as much as the first three games of his career.​

Patriots 30, Falcons 23: A perfect start

Tom Brady found some receivers to his liking. Brady threw for 316 yards and two touchdowns as the New England Patriots held off a furious Atlanta comeback Sunday night, beating the Falcons 30-23 to i…

www.metrowestdailynews.com

Julian Edelman chipped in with 118 yards on seven receptions.​

New England got good production from its running game, especially on its first touchdown drive. Brady threw only twice on the 12-play, 75-yard possession, including a 1-yard touchdown pass to third-string tight end Matthew Mulligan.​

Game Recap: Patriots 30, Falcons 23

Atlanta (1-3) dropped two games below .500 for the first time since 2007 despite a career night from Tony Gonzalez. He had 12 catches for 149 yards and a pair of touchdowns.​

New England led just 13-10 before a wild final period. Blount stunned the Georgia Dome crowd with his burst through a gaping hole, cutting outside and dragging defenders into the end zone.​

After Matt Bryant's 45-yard field goal brought the Falcons to 20-13, Brady guided the Patriots on an 80-yard drive that took only five plays and barely 2 minutes.​

Edelman hauled in a 16-yard pass, followed by 44-yard reception that set up the touchdown throw to Thompkins in the left corner of the end zone, sending many of the Atlanta fans heading to the exits with nearly 10 minutes left.​

They nearly missed an epic comeback after Stephen Gostkowski's third field goal pushed the Patriots to their 17-point lead.​

Patriots hold back Falcons in 30-23 victory

A fumbled snap by New England gives Atlanta a late chance to find the end zone, but Matt Ryan and the Falcons come up short on their final drive.

www.latimes.com

Tony Gonzalez hauled in an 11-yard touchdown pass, the Falcons recovered an onside kick, then drove for another field goal by Matt Bryant.​

New England recovered a second onside kick, only to fumble a snap trying to convert on fourth down, turning it back over to the Falcons.​

Matt Ryan completed a 49-yard pass to Julio Jones to put Atlanta in position to force overtime before a mostly empty stadium.​

The drive fell short, the Falcons bitten again by their season-long struggles in the red zone.​

Atlanta scored only one touchdown on six trips inside the 20. That included settling for a field goal on their first possession, when they had first-and-goal at the 6, and Smith's decision to go for it on fourth-and-2 from the 7. That failed when Ryan threw it behind White in the flats.​

Patriots Hold On To Defeat Falcons, 30-23

New England held off a furious fourth-quarter rally to remain undefeated.

www.nbcconnecticut.com

The Patriots further solidified their place in the AFC as a legitimate Super Bowl contender on Sunday night, with an impressive 30-23 win in Atlanta where Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has lost just five times since coming into the league in 2008.​

But the victory didn't come without its cost; nose tackle Vince Wilfork left in the first quarter and it was later reported that he suffered a torn Achilles tendon in his right foot and he will almost certainly be lost for the season. Rookies Joe Vellano and Chris Jones filled in for Wilfork and more than held their own on short notice.​

As for the game itself, the Pats and Falcons traded blows to a 10-10 first-half draw. But New England jumped out to a 30-13 4th quarter lead thanks to a LeGarrette Blount 47-yard touchdown run and the ongoing coming-out party for undrafted rookie receiver Kenbrell Thompkins, who added an 18-yard touchdown catch to go along with with five other receptions of 109 yards.​

Tom Brady, who finished 20 of 31 for 316 yards and two touchdowns and was visibly frustrated with his young wideouts as recently as two weeks ago, had nothing but praise for Thompkins after the Falcons win.​

The Patriots held off a late Falcons rally to avoid overtime. A defensive stand that saw cornerback Aqib Talib break up the game-tying touchdown with seconds on the clock proved to be the difference, one that didn't go unnoticed by Belichick.​

Game 4: Patriots 30, Falcons 23

Kenbrell Thompkins’ leaping touchdown reception in the fourth quarter gave the Patriots a 27-13 lead en route to a 30-23 victory over the Falcons on Sunday. Thompkins was able to get his elbow down in bounds for an 18-yard TD catch. Stephen Gostkowski kicked three field goals – 48, 22 and 49...

www.boston.com

TE Matthew Mulligan's gave the Patriots a 7-3 lead early in the second quarter.



Kenbrell Thompkin's 49-yard reception on the next drive led to a Stephen Gostkowski field goal.



Gostkowski kicked three field goals – 48, 22 and 49 yards – to help the Patriots’ victory.



LeGarrette Blount gave the Patriots a 20-10 lead in the fourth quarter with a 47-yard touchdown run.



Michael Buchanan's fourth quarter red zone sack on Matt Ryan forced Atlanta to settle for a field goal, making the score 20-13.



Tom Brady's fumble on 4th-and-1 with 1:54 gave Atlanta one more chance. Matt Ryan connected with Julio Jones on a 49-yard pass
on the next play, giving the Falcons first down on the New England 13 yard line with 59 seconds to play.


16:29 Highlight Video
Young & Old Talent Collide! (Patriots vs. Falcons 2013, Week 4)



2:28:24 Full Game
2013 Patriots @ Falcons
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Patriots Media Dept Pre-Game Press Release

'Flip Card': Game Day Rosters and Starting Lineups

Patriots Media Dept Game Notes

NFL Media Game Summary

Box Score, Drive Charts, Team & Individual Stats, and Full Play-by-Play:

New England Patriots at Atlanta Falcons - September 29th, 2013 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

New England Patriots 30 at Atlanta Falcons 23 on September 29th, 2013 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
2019: Defense, special teams beat Bills
J.C. Jackson blocks punt for TD, intercepts two passes
Pats score all points off turnovers in 16-10 slugfest​

Sunday Sept 29, 2019 at 1:00
Week 4, Game 4 at New Era Field
New England Patriots 16, Buffalo Bills 10
Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, Sean McDermott
QBs: Tom Brady; Josh Allen, Matt Barkley
Odds: New England favored by 7; over/under 41½
Patriots improve to 4-0, Bills drop to 3-1


Despite Tom Brady completing only 46% of his passes, for 150 yards and no touchdowns, the Patriots escaped Orchard Park with a victory in a battle of undefeated AFC East teams. Most of the Pats scoring occured in the first quarter. Brandon Bolden ran it in from four yards out following a 26-yard completion to James White, and on the ensuing drive J.C. Jackson blocked a punt which was recovered by Matthew Slater for a touchdown and a 13-0 lead.

The Patriots defense came up big, with five sacks and four interceptions. Josh Allen was knocked out of the game, infuriating Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott.

​

Game Day Thread - Official Game Day Thread- Week 4 Pats @ Bills

A 4-0 start to the season would be great. Going to be interesting to see who's active/inactive today. Hoping to get our running game going today. Our D has been amazing, let's keep it up. Of course no more injuries. Let's go Pats!!!! Let's discuss!!

www.patsfans.com

Pats @ Bills all-22 rewatch thread

Welcome to the analysis only thread. No hot takes allowed in here. Plenty of other threads for that. Please be civil. Feel free to critique the play or disagree, but please don't become personal or start attacking each other. Also, this thread is not some sort of "exclusive club." Everyone is...

www.patsfans.com

Idle thoughts - "escape from New York"

I'm not going to apologize for my gratuitous misappropriation of a movie title, but given what we all saw it's not too far from the truth. In the run up to Buffalo thread, I said I thought that the Bills defense might be the one of the best (top 3 was the quote, I think) defenses the Pats will...

www.patsfans.com

Patriots Prevail In Buffalo Rock Fight | PatsFans.com

Sunday’s 16-10 win by the Patriots at New Era Stadium may have reminded you of those old days of the AFL.

www.patsfans.com

5 Thoughts on the Patriots Win Over the Bills | PatsFans.com

Sunday's game against the Bills went down as one of the toughest ones for the Patriots so far this season and here are some thoughts on the win.

www.patsfans.com

Patriots Defense Stifles the Bills, Win 16-10, Observations

Patriots Defense Stifles the Bills, Win 16-10, Observations Steve Balestrieri

www.patsfans.com

Patriots Week 4 Report Card, in Tough 16-10 Win Over the Bills

Patriots Week 4 Report Card, in Tough 16-10 Win Over the Bills Steve Balestrieri

www.patsfans.com

5 takeaways from the Patriots' 16-10 win over the Buffalo Bills

COMMENTARY Five takeaways from the Patriots’ 16-10 take-it-and-move-on triumph over the Bills, which left Bill Belichick proud of his team in spite of its flawed performance… GET USED TO WINNING THIS WAY Tom Brady stepped to the podium in Buffalo late Sunday afternoon, gritted through a few...

www.boston.com

Great or not, Sunday’s win is exactly the type of win the Patriots didn’t get last year — and exactly the type that could become a hallmark of the way the Patriots win games this year.​

At this time a year ago, during visits to Detroit, then a bit later to Nashville, the Pats appeared to be a team that struggled to go on the road and pull out wins without playing their best football. For several years, leading right into last February’s Super Bowl, they were often a club that had some trouble escaping triumphantly when their offense was limited by the opposing defense.​

But based on the way the 2019 Patriots are built, Brady and his fan base may need to get used to getting their victories in the fashion of Sunday’s grinder at Buffalo.​

It wasn’t aesthetically pleasing, and it was never comfortably in hand until Matt Barkley’s altered throw floated into the intercepting arms of Jamie Collins with less than two minutes to play. It required the Pats to score all 16 of their points off of turnovers, including a blocked punt that was returned for a touchdown. And it probably required each of the four interceptions thrown by Bills quarterbacks.​

But in the end, the Patriots won with their defense and with their depth. Until there’s a representative running game to go with Brady’s right arm, those are the Pats’ greatest strengths — and where the difference between themselves and much of the NFL most clearly exists.​

Patriots 16-10 Bills (Sep 29, 2019) Game Recap - ESPN

Expert recap and game analysis of the New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills NFL game from September 29, 2019 on ESPN.

www.espn.com

On a day Tom Brady was far less than terrific, J.C. Jackson and New England's defense bailed him out in securing the Patriots' first 4-0 start in four years.​

The Buffalo Bills, meanwhile, dropped to 3-1 following a 16-10 loss on Sunday and were left fuming after starting quarterback Josh Allen was unable to finish the game following a helmet-to-helmet hit by Jonathan Jones.​

It was a defensive slugfest between two AFC East rivals in a game the Patriots seemed ready to blow open by building a 13-0 lead after the first quarter.​

Jackson had two of the Patriots' four interceptions and also blocked a punt that led to Matthew Slater returning it 11 yards for a touchdown. Linebacker Jamie Collins sealed the victory by coming down with backup Matt Barkley's interception with 1:27 remaining.​

Final score, recap, highlights: New England Patriots 16, Buffalo Bills 10

Backup quarterback Matt Barkley couldn't orchestrate a game-winning drive and was intercepted in the final minutes against the Patriots.

www.democratandchronicle.com

Photo Gallery:

Photos: Patriots 16, Bills 10

The Patriots improved to 4-0, defeating the Buffalo Bills, 16-10, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Orchard Park, N.Y.

www.patriotledger.com

13:23 Highlight Video
Patriots vs. Bills Week 4 Highlights | NFL 2019
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Patriots Media Dept Pre-Game Release

Game Day Roster and Starting Lineups 'Flip Card'

NFL Media Game Summary

Patriots Media Dept Post-Game Notes

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats, Drive Charts and Full Play-by-Play:

New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills - September 29th, 2019 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

New England Patriots 16 at Buffalo Bills 10 on September 29th, 2019 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[signbabybrady]

Didn't we get smoked by KC on this day ten years ago?

 

[jmt57]

Didn't we get smoked by KC on this day ten years ago?

I initially had that as today's lead game, but decided to go with victories instead.

We're having to live through enough bad losses as it is these days.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
2014: The MNF "We're on to Cincinnati" debacle
Kansas City smokes New England, 41-17; Patriots drop to 2-2
Turned out proclamations of Pats death may be a bit premature​

Monday Sept 29, 2014 at 8:30
Week 4, Game 4 at Arrowhead Stadium
Kansas City Chiefs 41, New England Patriots 14
Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, Andy Reid
QBs: Tom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo; Alex Smith
Odds: New England favored by 3
Patriots drop to 2-2, Chiefs improve to 2-2

​

The Patriots started slowly in September and after this blowout loss many were openly declaring it to be the end of the team's run. Bill Belichick was peppered in the post-game press conference with questions about Tom Brady's performance, the construction of the roster, and more. In classic Hoodie fashion he stonewalled the fourth estate by answering their queries five times with the same one line answer, 'we're on to Cincinnati'.

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The next week the Pats crushed the Bengals 43-17, and BB's line became a rallying cry for the 2014 season. With just a few choice words, Belichick sent an important message to the team, to fully focus on the next assignment and forget the past.

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While Trent Dilfer's comments gave him much notoriety, let's give him credit. He was the only sports media member that I can think of that made it a point to say that he was incorrect. At the time virtually every member of the sports media was burying the Pats and declaring them dead.


Revisiting Trent Dilfer's commentary

Dilfer famously lambasted the Patriots in 2014, after the team got demolished by the Kansas City Chiefs and fell to 2-2.​

“We saw a weak team,” Dilfer said on ESPN’s Monday Night Football broadcast. “The New England Patriots, let’s face it, they’re not good anymore.”​

The Patriots, of course, proceeded to assemble a 12-4 regular-season record and advanced to the Super Bowl that year. Thanks to a goal-line interception from cornerback Malcolm Butler, they defeated the Seattle Seahawks, 28-24, for Tom Brady and Bill Belichick’s fourth title together.​

Dilfer later acknowledged his initial take might have been too hot.​

“I made the mistake I hate making in this job, and that’s knee-jerk reacting to what you see in real time and not thinking about who you are saying it about,” Dilfer said, via ESPN. “What I forgot at the moment, and what I think anybody who wrote the Patriots off early forgot, is what Bill Belichick has done over his career: getting the most from the least and the best from the best. And let’s not forget, that’s what coaching is. So at its core, being a great coach is getting the most from the least and the best from the best.”​

This headline from Bleacher Report did not age well:
Embarrassing MNF Blowout Loss to Chiefs Sounds Death Knell for Patriots Dynasty

3:47 Highlight Video
Patriots vs Chiefs 2014 Week 4



13:13 Highlight Video -- another example of premature celebration of the Pats' demise
Surprised these people left these headlines up
The Night the Pats Dynasty Ended... (Patriots vs. Chiefs 2014, Week 4)
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Pats Media Dept Pre-Game Press Release

Game Day Roster and Starting Lineups 'Flip Card'

NFL Media Game Summary

Pats Media Dept Post-Game Notes

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats, Drive Charts and Full Play-by-Play:

New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs - September 29th, 2014 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

New England Patriots 14 at Kansas City Chiefs 41 on September 29th, 2014 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
2002: Pats suffer first loss of season
Offense that had averaged 38 points held to 14
Chargers win 21-14​

Sunday Sept 29, 2002 at 4:15
Week 4, Game 4 at Qualcomm Stadium
San Diego Chargers 21, New England Patriots 14
Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, Marty Schottenheimer
QBs: Tom Brady, Drew Brees
Odds: New England favored by 3
Patriots drop to 3-1, Chargers improve to 4-0


Three big plays by San Diego was the difference in this game. Sandwiched between short Tom Brady touchdown passes to Christian Fauria and Mike Vrabel, Drew Brees hit Curtis Conway for a 52 yard TD. Then with just over two minutes to go in the half LaDainian Tomlinson ran 37 yards off right tackle to tie the score at 14. On the second play of the second half it was Tomlinson again, this time running 58 yards off the right end for another touchdown. The remaining Patriot drives went interception, interception, downs, punt and then a fumble near midfield with 17 seconds to play to end the game. The Patriots ran 33 plays in the 2nd half for 192 yards, but came away with zero points.

Patriots run over by Chargers for first loss - The Boston Globe

LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 217 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner, as the Patriots saw their 12-game winning streak end in a 24-17 loss.

www.bostonglobe.com

PRO FOOTBALL; Tomlinson Runs Over the Patriots As the Chargers Pass a Big Test (Published 2002)

San Diego Chargers defeat New England Patriots, 21-14 (M)

www.nytimes.com

2:44 Highlight Video
Patriots vs Chargers 2002 Week 4



19:47 Extended Highlights
2002-09-29 New England Patriots vs San Diego Chargers



2:23:12 Full Game
2002 Patriots @ Chargers
​

Pats Media Pre-Game Press Release

NFL Media Game Summary

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats, Drive Charts and Full Play-by-Play:

New England Patriots at San Diego Chargers - September 29th, 2002 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

New England Patriots 14 at San Diego Chargers 21 on September 29th, 2002 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
1991: Pats offense still invisible
Jon Vaughn scores only TD on a 99-yard kickoff return
Two bad teams in hot sun = attendance of 26,043​

Sunday Sept 29, 1991 at 4:00
Week 5, Game 5 at Sun Devil Stadium
Phoenix Cardinals 24, New England Patriots 10
Head Coaches: **** MacPherson, Joe Bugel
QBs: Hugh Millen, Tom Tupa
Odds: Phoenix favored by 6
Patriots drop to 2-3, Cardinals improve to 3-2


The 1991 Patriots would finish 6-10, a five game improvement over the previous season. The team was short on necessary talent, had no depth, and was impotent on offense. It's not that much of a surprise that Phoenix - a bad team that who would finish just 4-12 - still dominated at home.

First Downs: Phoenix 24, Pats 12
Third Down: Phoenix 11-16, Pats 0-6
Total Yards: Phoenix 435, Pats 214

Ouch.

Hugh Millen was 11-21 for 115 yards, with three sacks (but at least no picks). His top target was TE Marv Cook, who had six catches for 42 yards; Irving Fryar had just one reception, for 7 yards.

The lone New England touchdown came on a 99-yard kickoff return by Jon Vaughn.

Tupa Passes Cardinals Past Patriots : Interconference: He throws for 312 yards. A home crowd of only 26,043 shows up to see 24-10 win.

All Tom Tupa needed was a chance to prove he could be a starting quarterback in the NFL.

www.latimes.com

All Tom Tupa needed was a chance to prove he could be a starting quarterback in the NFL.​

Tupa, shaking off the stigma of being a backup, passed for a career-high 312 yards and three touchdowns Sunday as the Phoenix Cardinals beat the New England Patriots, 24-10.​

The Cardinals (3-2) got the victory before a crowd of 26,043--the smallest crowd to watch them play in Sun Devil Stadium since the team moved from St. Louis before the 1988 season.​

The smallest crowd in four years came one week after the second-largest crowd--68,814--watched the Dallas Cowboys defeat Phoenix, 17-9.​

Jon Vaughn, a rookie running back who had 61 yards in seven carries, scored the only touchdown for the Patriots (2-3) on a 99-yard kickoff return. It was the longest kickoff return for the Patriots since Raymond Clayborn set the team record with a 101-yard return against Baltimore on Dec. 18, 1977.​

PRO FOOTBALL; Saints 5-0? O.K. So Take Next Sunday Off. (Published 1991)

www.nytimes.com

Tom Tupa passed for a career-high 312 yards and three touchdowns as Phoenix (3-2) beat New England.​

Tupa got the starting job in the preseason, when Timm Rosenbach sustained a knee injury. Making his fifth successive start and the seventh of his four-year career, Tupa hit Ernie Jones with a 17-yard scoring pass and Johnny Johnson with a 15-yarder -- both in the second quarter -- and Ricky Proehl with a 62-yard pass-run in the fourth.​

1:53 Highlight Video
Patriots vs Cardinals 1991 Week 5
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NFL Media Game Summary

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats:

New England Patriots at Phoenix Cardinals - September 29th, 1991 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

New England Patriots 10 at Phoenix Cardinals 24 on September 29th, 1991 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
1985: Two pick-sixes doom Pats
Raiders outscore Pats 21-0 in second half
Get away with another forward fumble​

Sunday Sept 29, 1985 at 1:00
Week 4, Game 4 at Sullivan Stadium
Los Angeles Raiders 35, New England Patriots 20
Head Coaches: Raymond Berry, Tom Flores
QBs: Tony Eason; Marc Wilson, Rusty Hilger
Odds: New England favored by 1
Patriots drop to 2-2, Raiders improve to 2-2


The Raiders get away with another intentional forward fumble, while the Patriots turned the ball over four times.

It is interesting to note in the article below how the Patriots are dismissed with a comment "so what if it was only the New England Patriots they beat" - even though the Pats had not had a losing season in four years. The Patriots would defeat the Raiders in the playoffs later that season, and win the AFC Championship a week after that.

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Raiders Win, 35-20, as Defense Outscores Offense and Patriots

If this was a hump, the Raiders got over it Sunday, although not with the majesty of eagles.

www.latimes.com

If this was a hump, the Raiders got over it Sunday, although not with the majesty of eagles.​

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First, their defense dragged them to the top of it, then their offense kicked in and, voila , they were back in the win column.​

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So what if it was only the New England Patriots they beat. And so what if it was the defense that scored three of the five touchdowns. The Raiders won, 35-20, they’re 2-2 and they play the 3-1 Kansas City Chiefs in the Coliseum next week. Anything is possible.​

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So what if the new quarterback, Marc Wilson, threw an interception on the first play from scrimmage and left in the third period with a sprained ankle.​

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So what if the next new quarterback, rookie Rusty Hilger, started off with six incompletions.​

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What the Raider defense did was to go back out there and outscore them. Lester Hayes returned one interception for the first Raider touchdown. Sammy Seale returned another one for the last Raider touchdown.​

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And Lyle Alzado recovered a fumble in the end zone for the one in the middle, the biggest touchdown the Raiders have scored this season, the one that pulled them out of the 14-20 hole they’d gotten themselves into and in which they’d spent most of the second and third quarters.​

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The play was one of the most hallowed of Raider traditions, the intentional fumble, which was supposedly outlawed in 1978, after Ken Stabler pulled the granddaddy of them all in San Diego.​

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This time it was Martin, who arrived on the ball after Brad Van Pelt had knocked it out of Craig James’ arms at the Patriot 11.​

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Martin picked up the ball and carried it three yards, while his teammates started celebrating. The replay showed a Raider jumping in the air, waving his right fist. Meanwhile, Martin was being tackled at the eight.​

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At which point Martin “fumbled.”​

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“You know how it was,” Martin said, laughing. “I was trying to pick the ball up and I saw their quarterback (Tony Eason) there. He went to cut me down and I threw it toward the end zone. I figured with the momentum, their offense was going the other way and we were going this way.​

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“Then I just prayed a black shirt would fall on it.”​

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One did, sort of. The next shirt to the ball was on the back of Reggie McKenzie, who reached the ball near the goal line and, rookie or not, did what a Raider does in this situation--bat the ball into the end zone.​

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There, three yards from the end line, Alzado finally curled up on top of it. Just like they’ve got it in the playbook. Momentum strikes again.​

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To that point, the Raiders had been going nowhere fast. They were coming off twin routs that had cost them their No. 1 quarterback, Jim Plunkett.​

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In this, their putative comeback, they’d been busy all day, trading killer mistakes with the Patriots:​

--Wilson, who has had a history of big debuts, starts this one throwing an interception to Patriot cornerback Ronnie Lippett. Tony Franklin kicks a 47-yard field goal. Patriots lead, 3-0.​

--Eason throws a pass for Irving Fryar, but Lester Hayes steps up, intercepts, and runs it back 27 yards into the end zone. Raiders, 7-3.​

--Fryar catches a 40-yarder behind Hayes. Patriots, 10-7.​

--Dokie Williams catches a 38-yarder behind Lippett. Raiders, 14-10.​

--Guy drops a snap from center. The ball comes in a little high, eye-level, or about five feet lower than the one he pulled down one-handed in the 1984 Super Bowl. Guy then tries to pick the ball up on the run and misses. The Patriots’ Andre Tippett doesn’t miss and runs it back 25 yards for the score. Patriots, 20-14.​

-And, of course, the James fumble. Raiders, 21-20.​

20:44 Highlight Video
1985 Raiders at Patriots GOTW week 4



2:37:24 Full Game
1985 Raiders @ Patriots (9-29-85)
​

NFL Media Game Summary

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats:

Los Angeles Raiders at New England Patriots - September 29th, 1985 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Los Angeles Raiders 35 at New England Patriots 20 on September 29th, 1985 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
1963: Broncos win on 4th quarter bomb
Pats turn the ball over five times
Denver 14, Boston 10​

Sunday Sept 29, 1963 at 4:00
Week 4, Game 4 at Bears Stadium
Denver Broncos 14, Boston Patriots 10
Head Coaches: Mike Holovak, Jack Faulkner
QBs: Babe Parilli; Mickey Slaughter, John McCormick
Odds: Boston favored by
Patriots drop to 2-2, Broncos improve to 1-2


Denver comes from behind in the 4th quarter to win on a 72-yard TD from John McCormick to Lionel Taylor. Five Patriot turnovers ruined a pretty good game by Gino Cappelletti: 5 catches for 82 yards, a 31-yard TD reception, a field goal, and a PAT for all ten of the Patriot points.


The Broncos stall the Patriots - Fenway Park Diaries

Rookie John McCormick took over the Denver Broncos in the second half and led his team to a come from behind 14-10 victory over the Patriots. McCormick steered Denver in from the 23 yard line to start it all, and then pulled off a 76 yard pass play to give the Broncos the win. Two weeks removed from being cut by the Minnesota Vikings, McCormick took over from Mickey Slaughter who was unable to lead the Denver team with any offense.​

The Patriots offense was not much of a threat. Babe Parilli started well and got the ball down to the Denver 11 yard line in five plays and a penalty. There the Pats stalled and called upon Gino Cappeletti to kick an 18 yard field goal. That where the score stood at half time, 3-0 in favor of the Patriots.​

Early in the third quarter, Parilli hit Cappeletti and the ball ended up on the Broncos 31 yard line. He hit Cappy again on a pass at the 10 and Gino ran it in for a touchdown. With his extra point, the Pats led 10 to 0.​

Meanwhile, the Patriots defense was playing another strong game. It was unlikely that Denver could score enough points to overcome the Patriots lead. Denver’s Jim Fraser punted one high into the Denver wind and Pats returner, Tommy Stephens grabbed the ball and lost it when hit by Denver’s Chuck Gavin on the Pats 23. In came McCormick and in nine plays lead the Broncos in for their first score.​

After that, every time the Broncos started to move, the Patriots’ defense tightened up and cut them short. Gene Mingo missed three field goals and gave the Broncos no threat.​

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When McCormick got the ball the last time, he went to work. With beautiful protection, he took his time at his own 28. Lionel Taylor took the ball down the middle, then Gene Prebola went down the left side and Bob Scarpito took one down the right side. Down they moved to the Boston 34, where Taylor was given the ball again and sped into the end zone.​

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Babe Parilli now had his back against the wall with 1:11 left to play, and threw up an interception to Denver’s Wahoo McDaniel to end any threat of a Patriots’ comeback. Then McCormick simply had to run out the clock.​

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Holovak had high praise for Boston College’s Artie Graham after his performance against the Jets. Graham caught six passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns and gives the Pats another weapon in addition to Larry Garron, Gino Cappelletti and Jim Colclough.​

Fun old school AFL Media Game Summary

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats:

Boston Patriots at Denver Broncos - September 29th, 1963 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Boston Patriots 10 at Denver Broncos 14 on September 29th, 1963 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Veteran Additions​

Happy 36th birthday to Marshall Newhouse
Born Sept 29, 1988 in Dallas
Patriot OT, 2019-present; uniform #72

On September 15, 2019 Marshall Newhouse made his debut as a New England Patriot, appearing in all 71 offensive snaps in the 43-0 victory at Miami. Newhouse got the start at right tackle due to an injury to Marcus Cannon, then switched to left tackle after Isaiah Wynn was injured. Newhouse remained the starter a week later when Wynn remained sidelined, on the field for all 76 offensive snaps in the victory over the Jets. With Wynn on injured reserve for at least weeks, Newhouse would remain the starting left tackle for the near future.

Sept 11, 2019: Patriots Sign OL Marshall Newhouse | Patriots.com

Newhouse, 30, is a veteran of eight NFL seasons with the Green Bay Packers (2010-13), Cincinnati Bengals (2014), New York Giants (2015-16), Oakland Raiders (2017), Buffalo Bills (2018) and Carolina Panthers (2018). The 6-foot-4, 330-pounder originally entered the NFL as a fifth-round draft pick (169th overall) by Green Bay in the 2010 NFL Draft out of Texas Christian. Newhouse has played both right and left tackle in 114 regular-season games with 72 starts and six postseason contests with three starts. Last season, Newhouse played in three games as a reserve for the Bills before being traded to the Panthers on Sept. 25, 2018. After joining Carolina, he appeared in 11 games with two starts at left tackle. Newhouse signed with the New Orleans Saints on May 22, 2019, and was released on Sept. 1, 2019.​

Happy 50th birthday to Dedric Ward
Born Sept 29, 1974 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Patriot WR, 2003; uniform #17

After David Patten was placed on injured reserve on November 7, 2003 following knee surgery, the Patriots had a roster spot to fill. Thankfully the team had quality depth at the position, but another veteran could be useful. Bethel Johnson was a rookie, and David Givens and Deion Branch in just their second season; 32 year old Troy Brown was the only receiver with two full years of experience at the position.

The Pats signed JJ Stokes on November 18, and Dedric Ward two days later as free agents. Stokes was released three weeks later, while Ward remained on the roster through the Super Bowl. The 5'9 30 year old had been with the Patriots for their full offseason, but was cut at the end of training camp. Ironically that roster decision was based on Belichick's decision to keep Patten over Ward.

Ward was active for four regular season games with the Pats, averaging 15.1 yards on seven receptions and scoring one touchdown; he was inactive for the final two games. He got the start in the 17-14 division round win versus Tennessee (one catch for 22 yards) and also played in the AFCCG against the Colts, and SB 38 versus Carolina. The Pats were a perfect 9-0 with Ward on their roster.

The shifty 5'9 receiver was originally a 3rd round pick out of Northern Iowa by the Jets in 1997. At the conclusion of his collegiate career, Ward ranked No. 2 in the NCAA in all-time receiving yardage behind only Jerry Rice. Over his eight year NFL career Ward played in 103 games with 167 receptions and 12 touchdowns; he also 8.3 yards on 123 punt returns. After a few years on the coaching staffs for Arizona and Kansas City, Ward returned to Iowa where he is a high school teacher.

Happy 55th birthday to O.J. Brigance
Born Sept 29, 1969 in Houston
Patriot LB, 2002; uniform #59

Orenthial James Brigance (I guess his mother liked a certain running back from USC) was a career special team standout, playing in 98 games over seven seasons. Prior to entering the NFL he spent six seasons in the CFL, where he was a three-time All Star and Grey Cup champion in 1995. He won a super bowl ring with Baltimore in 2000 when he finished second on the team with 25 special teams tackles, and led the Ravens with ten special teams tackles in the playoffs.

The Pats signed Brigance in mid-August of 2002, and he appeared in the 44-7 victory over the Jets on 9/15, registering two tackles.

In 12 years with ALS, former Baltimore Raven O.J. Brigance finds 'way to be part of the solution' | Baltimore Sun




Happy (?) 32nd birthday to Austin Seferian-Jenkins
Born Sept 29, 1992 in Fox Island, Washington
Patriot TE, 2019 offseason

Sometimes veteran pickups with question marks about off-field incidents work out, like Randy Moss. Other times they don't, like Albert Haynesworth. ASJ falls into the latter category.

The 38th overall selection of the 2014 draft never lived up to the hype. After reportedly being involved in multiple clashes with the Tampa Bay coaches, the Bucs did not hesitate to cut him after his second DUI. While he never had more than 21 receptions in Tampa, Jenkins did catch 50 passes for the Jets in 2017.

In early June the Patriots cut ASJ, less than two months after signing him. The 6'5 TE reportedly asked for his release due to personal reasons. In his NFL career he has had 116 receptions for 1,160 yards, and 11 touchdowns.




Happy 38th birthday to Zac Robinson
Born Sept 29, 1986 in Littleton, Colorado
Patriot QB, 2010 offseason
Pats 7th round (250th overall) selection of the 2010 draft, from Oklahoma State

Zac Robinson entered his senior year as one of college's top QB prospects, but after losing his top two receivers (one was Dez Bryant, who was suspended), his productivity dropped - and so did his draft status. The Pats let him go at the end of his rookie training camp, and Seattle claimed him off waivers the next day.

Robinson spent time with the Seahawks, Lions and Bengals, but never had the opportunity to throw a pass in a regular season game. He later worked as an assistant quarterbacks coach with the Los Angeles Rams, and is now the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons.