Today In Patriots History Sept 29, 2014: KC smokes NE 41-14; "We're on to Cincinnati"

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
2014: The MNF "We're on to Cincinnati" debacle
KC smokes New England, 41-14; Patriots drop to 2-2
Turned out proclamations of Pats death a bit premature​

Monday Sept 29, 2014 at 8:31 EST, 7:31 CST
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 3-point road favorites
TV: ESPN; Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden; Lisa Salters
Clear, 82°, 48% humidity, 3 mph wind; paid attendance 76,613; time 2:48
Pats drop to 2-2; Chiefs improve to 2-2

"The Game Where People Thought the Patriots Dynasty was Over"
8:00 Highlight/Lowlight Video
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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'.

​

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.

"They're not good anymore" - Trent Dilfer
7-second freezing cold take
​

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)"
​

Pats Media Dept Pre-Game Press Release

Game Day Roster and Starting Lineups 'Flip Card'

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats, Drive Charts and Full Play-by-Play:
NFL Media Game Summary

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

September 29, 2014 - New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs Box Score and Game Statistics

The most complete, accurate and reliable reference source for September 29, 2014 - New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs boxscore and game statistics.

www.profootballarchives.com

Pats Media Dept Post-Game Notes


Patriots Starting Offense:
80 WR Danny Amendola
77 LT Nate Solder
63 LG Dan Connolly
66 C Bryan Stork
71 RG Cameron Fleming
76 RT Sebastian Vollmer
87 TE Rob Gronkowski
19 WR Brandon LaFell
11 WR Julian Edelman
12 QB Tom Brady
34 RB Shane Vereen


Patriots Starting Defense:
50 LDE Rob Ninkovich
75 LDT Vince Wilfork
94 RDT Chris Jones
95 RDE Chandler Jones
91 LLB Jamie Collins
51 MLB Jerod Mayo
54 RLB Dont'a Hightower
24 LCB Darrelle Revis
23 SS Pat Chung
32 FS Devin McCourty
26 RCB Logan Ryan


Patriots Special Teams:
3 K Stephen Gostkowski
6 P Ryan Allen
23 KR Patrick Chung
11 PR Julian Edelman

 

[Vindicate]

The day the second dynasty was born. That was coming off a injury-riddled 2013 and bottom-of-barrel receiving options. What a time.

 

[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: Ron Erhardt, Red Miller
QBs: Steve Grogan, Matt Robinson
Odds: New England 4-point home favorites
TV: ABC; Howard Cosell, Frank Gifford, Don Meredith
Fair, cool, 47°, 51% relative humidity, 12 mph wind; paid attendance 60,153; time 2:48
Pats 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 just 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 also 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.

Unfortunately a loss the previous week, 37 to 31 at Seattle would haunt the 1980 team. That loss - plus a week 14 MNF overtime loss at Miami - would prevent the 10-6 Patriots from making the playoffs. The Pats missed the postseason by one game; Seattle went just 4-12, and Miami finished 8-8.

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
​

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats:
NFL Media Game Summary

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

September 29, 1980 - Denver Broncos at New England Patriots Box Score and Game Statistics

The most complete, accurate and reliable reference source for September 29, 1980 - Denver Broncos at New England Patriots boxscore and game statistics.

www.profootballarchives.com

Patriots Starting Offense:
86 WR Stanley Morgan
62 LT Dwight Wheeler
73 LG John Hannah
67 C Bill Lenkaitis
61 RG Sam Adams
74 RT Shelby Jordan
81 TE Russ Francis
29 WR Harold Jackson
14 QB Steve Grogan
43 RB Vagas Ferguson
44 FB Don Calhoun

Patriots Starting Defense:
72 LDE Mel Lunsford
71 NT Ray Hamilton
85 RDE Julius Adams
59 LOLB Mike Hawkins
57 LILB Steve Nelson
54 RILB John Zamberlin
56 ROLB Rod Shoate
26 LCB Ray Clayborn
30 SS Roland James
48 FS Tim Fox
25 RCB Rick Sanford

Patriots Special Teams:
1 K John Smith
6 P Mike Hubach
87 KR Preston Brown
38 PR Roland James

 

[jmt57]

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

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 Rams 12½-point road favorites
TV: CBS, Frank Glieber, Wayne Walker
Cloudy 69°, relative humidity 89%, 14 mph wind; attendance 59,712 (1,567 no-shows)
Pats 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.​

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.​

“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.”​

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

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.​

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.​

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.​

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
​

Box Score, Team and Individual Stats:
Ancient NFL Media Game Summary

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

September 29, 1974 - Los Angeles Rams at New England Patriots Box Score and Game Statistics

The most complete, accurate and reliable reference source for September 29, 1974 - Los Angeles Rams at New England Patriots boxscore and game statistics.

www.profootballarchives.com

Patriots Starting Offense:
33 WR Reggie Rucker
18 WR Randy Vataha
70 LT Leon Gray
73 LG John Hannah
67 C Bill Lenkaitis
61 RG Sam Adams
77 RT Tom Neville
86 TE Bob Windsor
16 QB Jim Plunkett
39 RB Sam Cunningham
42 RB Mack Herron

Patriots Starting Defense:
85 LDE Julius Adams
71 MG Ray Hamilton
72 RDE Mel Lunsford
90 LOLB George Webster
59 LILB Bob Geddes
50 RILB Sam Hunt
52 ROLB Steve King
37 LCB Willie Osley
22 LS Sandy Durko
34 RS Prentice McCray
27 RCB Ron Bolton

Patriots Special Teams:
1 K John Smith
3 P Bruce Barnes
42 KR Mack Herron
42 PR Mack Herron

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
1968: Pats rally, then 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, 1968 at 4:00 ET, 2:00 MT
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 5-point road favorites
TV: NBC; Bill Enis, George Ratterman
Mostly cloudy, hazy, 60°, 58% humidity, 6 mph wind; attendance 37,024
Pats 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.

In the third quarter Bob Scarpitto set a team record for the longest punt, 87 yards. On 4th-and-10 from their own 10-yard line, Scarpitto - who had led the AFL in punts, punting yardage, yards per punt and longest punt each of the past two seasons playing for Denver - booted one that rolled down to the Bronco 3-yard line. Rookie Willie Porter recovered the fumble on the one-foot line, and on the next play Garron punched it in, breaking a tie and giving the Patriots a 17-10 lead.

Scarpitto's punt still stands as the third longest in franchise history, behind only Luke Prestridge's 89-yard punt versus Miami in 1984, and Shawn McCarthy's 94-yard punt at Buffalo in 1991. Oddly enough, despite the 87-yarder, Scarpitto only averaged 38.6 yards punting in this game, meaning he averaged only 32.5 yards on his eight other punts.


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 later played wide receiver for the Pats in 1976, his final season of pro football.

Briscoe connected on his first pass attempt, a 12-yard completion to anotherfuture Patriot, 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



Marlin Briscoe became first non-white quarterback to perform in a regular-season American Football League game


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

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats:
Check out the hand-written drive chart diagrams on pages 7, 9, 12 and 14:
American Football League Media Game Summary

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

September 29, 1968 - Boston Patriots at Denver Broncos Box Score and Game Statistics

The most complete, accurate and reliable reference source for September 29, 1968 - Boston Patriots at Denver Broncos boxscore and game statistics.

www.profootballarchives.com

Patriots Starting Offense:
81 SE Jim Colclough
73 LT Tom Funchess
63 LG Justin Canale
56 C Jon Morris
60 RG Len St. Jean
71 RT Don Oakes
82 TE Jim Whalen
17 QB Mike Taliaferro
13 RB R.C. Gamble
40 RB Larry Garron
29 FL Aaron Marsh

Patriots Starting Defense:
78 LDE Dennis Byrd
79 LDT Jim Lee Hunt
65 RDT Houston Antwine
72 RDE Larry Eisenhauer
52 LLB Ed Philpott
85 MLB Nick Buoniconti
58 RLB Doug Satcher
41 LDH Leroy Mitchell
42 LS Don Webb
25 RS John Charles
23 RDH Daryl Johnson

Patriots Special Teams:
20 K Gino Cappelletti
46 P Bob Scarpitto
23 KR Daryl Johnson
27 PR Willie Porter

 

[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 3-point home favorites
TV: NBC; Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth; Michele Tafoya
Dome; 70,774; time 3:21
Pats improve to 3-1; 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.


This was the season that the Pats lost a late season game in Miami, that resulted in Broncos becoming the number one seed. As a result the Pats had to travel to Denver for the AFCCG, and Denver won 26-16 - before getting crushed 43-8 in the super bowl to Seattle.

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

Brady throws 2 TDs, Patriots beat Falcons 30-23

www.patriots.com

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
​

Patriots Media Dept Pre-Game Press Release

'Flip Card': Game Day Rosters and Starting Lineups

Box Score, Drive Charts, Team & Individual Stats, and Full Play-by-Play:
NFL Media Game Summary

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

September 29, 2013 - New England Patriots at Atlanta Falcons Box Score and Game Statistics

The most complete, accurate and reliable reference source for September 29, 2013 - New England Patriots at Atlanta Falcons boxscore and game statistics.

www.profootballarchives.com

Patriots Media Dept Post-Game Notes


Patriots Starting Offense:
85 WR Kenbrell Thompkins
77 LT Nate Solder
70 LG Logan Mankins
62 C Ryan Wendell
63 RG Dan Connolly
76 RT Sebastian Vollmer
47 TE Michael Hoomanawanui
11 WR Julian Edelman
12 QB Tom Brady
22 RB Stevan Ridley
46 FB James Develin

Patriots Starting Defense:
50 LDE Rob Ninkovich
75 LDT Vince Wilfork
93 RDT Tommy Kelly
95 RDE Chandler Jones
51 LLB Jerod Mayo
54 RLB Dont'a Hightower
31 LCB Aqib Talib
28 SS Steve Gregory
32 FS Devin McCourty
37 RCB Alfonzo Dennard
25 DB Kyle Arrington

Patriots Special Teams:
3 K Stephen Gostkowski
6 P Ryan Allen
29 KR LaGarette Blount
11 PR Julian Edelman

 

[jmt57]

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

Sunday Sept 29, 2019 at 1:02
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 7-point road favorites
TV: CBS; Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts; Evan Washburn
Mostly cloudy, 58º, 71% humidity, 10 mph wind; paid attendance 70,317; time 3:19
Pats 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.


After an 8-0 start the Patriots went 4-4 the rest of the way in 2019, then lost 20-13 at home to Tennessee in what turned out to be Tom Brady's final game in a Patriot uniform. Buffalo has won the AFC East every season since.

​

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...

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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
​

Patriots Media Dept Pre-Game Release

Game Day Roster and Starting Lineups 'Flip Card'

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats, Drive Charts and Full Play-by-Play:
NFL Media Game Summary

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

Patriots Media Dept Post-Game Notes


Patriots Starting Offense:
10 WR Josh Gordon
85 TE Ryan Izzo
72 LT Marshall Newhouse
62 LG Joe Thuney
75 C Ted Karras
69 RG Shaq Mason
61 RT Marcus Cannon
11 WR Julian Edelman
12 QB Tom Brady
26 RB Sony Michel
47 FB Jakob Johnson

Patriots Starting Defense:
93 LDE Lawrence Guy
71 DT Danny Shelton
55 RDE John Simon
53 SLB Kyle Van Noy
51 RILB Ja'Whaun Bentley
58 WLB Jamie Collins
30 LCB Jason McCourty
23 SS Patrick Chung
32 FS Devin McCourty
24 RCB Stephon Gilmore
31 NB Jonathan Jones

Patriots Special Teams:
3 K Stephen Gostkowski
7 P Jake Bailey
38 KR Brandon Bolden
80 PR Gunner Olszewski

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
2024: Patriots lose to 49ers
Brissett sacked six times, throws pick-six
Pats start 1-3 for 4th consecutive season​

Monday Sept 29, 2024 at 4:05 (1:05 PST)
Week 4, Game 4 at Levi's Stadium
san Francisco 49ers 30, New England Patriots 13
Head Coaches: Jerod Mayo, Kyle Shanahan
QBs: Brock Purdy, Jacoby Brissett
Odds: San Francisco 10-point home favorites
TV: Fox; Joe Davis, Greg Olsen; Pam Oliver
Sunny, 71°, 59% humidity, 5 mph wind; paid attendance 71,042; time 3:10
Pats drop to 1-3; 49ers improve to 2-2


After a week one upset win at Cincinnati, Jerod Mayo's club lost for the third straight time, in what would eventually be a six-game losing streak. New England was held under 150 yards passing in each of the first four games of the season for the first time since 1971, despite the NFL becoming a much more pass-friendly league during that 50-plus year time span. The 49ers held a two-to-one advantage in total yards, 431 to 216; San Francisco jumped out to a 20-0 first half lead and was never seriously threatened.



Rapid Recap: Patriots Fall to 49ers - Mike Dussault, Patriots.com
The 49ers rode a strong start that overshadowed their second-half mistakes in dispatching the Patriots.

49ers 30-13 Patriots (Sep 29, 2024) Game Recap - ESPN

Expert recap and game analysis of the San Francisco 49ers vs. New England Patriots NFL game from September 29, 2024 on ESPN.

www.espn.com

Patriots lose to 49ers, 30-13, to fall to 1-3 on season

The Patriots did themselves no favors in San Francisco, and are now 1-3 on the season after a 30-13 loss to the 49ers on Sunday.

www.cbsnews.com

Patriots-49ers recap: Poor protection, TOs plague Pats in 30-13 loss

The Patriots were undone by more protection issues and several crucial turnovers in a 30-13 loss to the 49ers on Sunday. Here’s our game recap and analysis.

www.nbcsportsboston.com

MORSE: 11 Observations After Patriots Bow to San Francisco | PatsFans.com

The Patriots missed Anfernee Jennings and his ability to hold the edge. David Andrews goes down with a shoulder injury after the first series and Nick Levett is pressed into action.

www.patsfans.com

Patriots at 49ers: 10 Thoughts After a Disappointing Loss | PatsFans.com

All things considered, Demontrey Jacobs played surprisingly well at left tackle on Sunday, which saw the Patriots start yet another player on that side of the line just four games into this 2024 campaign.

www.patsfans.com

Should the Patriots Bench Brissett For Maye? This Next Stretch May Decide That | PatsFans.com

Coming off of Sunday's lackluster loss for the New England Patriots out in San Francisco, it's tough not to realize that the microscope is going to be significantly tougher on Jerod Mayo's team over these next two weeks.

www.patsfans.com

Game Day Thread - 2024 OFFICIAL Game Day Thread: Week 4 - NE @ SF

www.patsfans.com

PostGame Thread - OFFICIAL 2024 Patriots @ 49ers Postgame thread

Patriots fall to 1-3 with Miami coming in next week. Discuss.

www.patsfans.com

Best Game Photos: Patriots at 49ers - 84-photo slide show, Patriots.com

HIGHLIGHTS: New England Patriots vs. San Francisco 49ers | 2024 Regular Season Week 4
13:00 Highlight video from the Patriots
​

Patriots Media Dept Pre-Game Press Release

49ers at Patriots Week 4 Roster 'Flip Card'

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats, Drive Charts, Full Play-by-Play, etc.:
NFL Media Game Summary

New England Patriots at San Francisco 49ers - September 29th, 2024 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

New England Patriots 13 at San Francisco 49ers 30 on September 29th, 2024 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

September 29, 2024 - New England Patriots at San Francisco 49ers Box Score and Game Statistics

The most complete, accurate and reliable reference source for September 29, 2024 - New England Patriots at San Francisco 49ers boxscore and game statistics.

www.profootballarchives.com

Patriots Post-Game Notes Press Release

It's amazing to see the quantity of 2024 starters that are no longer on the team in 2025.

Patriots Starting Offense (ugh):
1 WR Ja'Lynn Polk
85 TE Hunter Henry
75 LT Demontrey Jacobs
62 LG Sidy Sow
60 C David Andrews
64 RG Layden Robinson
71 RT Mike Onwenu
81 TE Austin Hooper
2 WR K.J. Osborn
7 QB Jacoby Brissett
38 RB Rhamondre Stevenson

Patriots Starting Defense:
99 DE Keion White
95 DT Daniel Ekuale
92 DT Davon Godchaux
55 OLB Josh Uche
50 ILB Raekwon McMillan
48 ILB Jahlani Tavai
0 CB Christian Gonzalez
31 CB Jonathan Jones
5 SS Jabrill Peppers
23 FS Kyle Dugger
25 NB Marcus Jones

Patriots Special Teams:
13 K Joey Slye
17 P Bryce Baringer
39 KR Jamycal Hasty
25 PR Marcus Jones

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
2002: Pats suffer first loss of season
First NFL game between Drew Brees and Tom Brady
Pats offense that had averaged 38 points held to 14​

Sunday Sept 29, 2022 at 4:15 ET, 1:15 PDT
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 3-point road favorites
TV: CBS; CBS, Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms; Armen Keteyian
Partly cloudy, 67º, 76% humidity, 8 mph wind; paid attendance 66,463; time 3:15
Pats drop to 3-1; Chargers improve to 4-0


This was the first of eight NFL games between two of the greatest quarterbacks of their era, Tom Brady and Drew Brees. Brees came out on top in the first two as a Charger, then went 1-2 with the Saints vs the Patriots. After Brady signed with Tampa they were in the same division, playing twice in the regular season (both Saints wins) plus once in the playoffs (a 30-20 Bucs win in Brees' final NFL game). The two quarterbacks had also competed against each other once before when #4 Michigan defeated #11 Purdue in a battle of 4-0 Big Ten teams on October 2, 1999.


Three big plays by San Diego was the difference in this game. Sandwiched between short Brady touchdown passes to Christian Fauria and Mike Vrabel, 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.


The Patriots would go 0-for-October, dropping four straight to fall to 3-4. Although the Pats rebounded to win five of the next six, that four-game skid doomed the team, finishing 9-7 and missing the postseason on a tiebreaker.

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 Dept Pre-Game Press Release

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats, Drive Charts and Full Play-by-Play:
NFL Media Game Summary

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

September 29, 2002 - New England Patriots at San Diego Chargers Box Score and Game Statistics

The most complete, accurate and reliable reference source for September 29, 2002 - New England Patriots at San Diego Chargers boxscore and game statistics.

www.profootballarchives.com

Patriots Starting Offense:
83 WR Deion Branch
82 TE Daniel Graham
72 LT Matt Light
77 LG Mike Compton
67 C Grey Ruegamer
70 RG Adrian Klemm
74 RT Kenyatta Jones
82 TE Christian Fauria
86 WR David Patten
12 QB Tom Brady
32 RB Antowain Smith

Patriots Starting Defense:
91 LDE Bobby Hamilton
90 LDT Steve Martin
93 RDT Richard Seymour
98 RDE Anthony Pleasant
50 LLB Mike Vrabel
54 MLB Tedy Bruschi
94 RLB Roman Phifer
24 LCB Ty Law
36 SS Lawyer Milloy
34 FS Tebucky Jones
45 RCB Otis Smith

Patriots Special Teams:
4 K Adam Vinatieri
13 P Ken Walter
83 KR Deion Branch
33 PR Kevin Faulk

 

[jmt57]

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

Sunday Sept 29, 1991 at 4:01 ET
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 6-point home favorites
TV: NBC; Don Criqui, Todd Christensen
Clear and sunny, 94°, 18% humidity, 6 mph wind; paid attendance 31,526 (5,483 no-shows; actual 26,043); time 2:54
Pats 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
​

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats:
NFL Media Game Summary

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

September 29, 1991 - New England Patriots at Phoenix Cardinals Box Score and Game Statistics

The most complete, accurate and reliable reference source for September 29, 1991 - New England Patriots at Phoenix Cardinals boxscore and game statistics.

www.profootballarchives.com

Patriots Starting Offense:
80 WR Irving Fryar
78 LT Bruce Armstrong
65 LG Elbert Crawford
63 C Gene Chilton
75 RG Danny Villa
77 RT Pat Harlow
85 TE Marv Cook
86 WR Greg McMurtry
7 QB Hugh Millen
32 RB Leonard Russell
45 FB Ivy Joe Hunter

Patriots Starting Defense:
90 LDE Garin Veris
72 NT Tim Goad
96 RDE Brent Williams
56 LOLB Andre Tippett
51 LILB Eugene Lockhart
59 RILB Vincent Brown
55 ROLB Chris Singleton
42 LCB Ronnie Lippett
40 SS Harry Colon
31 FS Fred Marion
37 RCB Maurice Hurst

Patriots Special Teams:
4 K Jason Staurovsky
11 P Shawn McCarthy
24 KR Jon Vaughn
36 PR Jerome Henderson

 

[jmt57]

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

Monday 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 1-point home favorites
TV: NBC, Marv Albert, Bob Griese; game soldout, shown locally
Sunny, pleasant, 68°, 66% relative humidity, 6 mph wind; paid attendance 60,793, minus 107 no-shows; time 3:22
Pats 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.

Three of those turnovers resulted in 21 points: two pick-sixes, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown.


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.

​

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.​

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

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.​

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.​

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

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.​

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.​

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.​

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.​

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.​

At which point Martin “fumbled.”​

“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.​

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

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.​

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.​

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.​

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)
​

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats:
NFL Media Game Summary

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

September 29, 1985 - Los Angeles Raiders at New England Patriots Box Score and Game Statistics

The most complete, accurate and reliable reference source for September 29, 1985 - Los Angeles Raiders at New England Patriots boxscore and game statistics.

www.profootballarchives.com

Patriots Starting Offense:
86 WR Stanley Morgan
76 LT Brian Holloway
73 LG John Hannah
58 C Pete Brock
61 RG Ron Wooten
67 RT Steve Moore
88 TE Derrick Ramsey
80 WR Irving Fryar
11 QB Tony Eason
33 HB Tony Collins
32 FB Craig James

Patriots Starting Defense:
77 LDE Kenneth Sims
98 NT Dennis Owens
90 RDE Toby Williams
66 LOLB Andre Tippett
57 LILB Steve Nelson
50 RILB Larry McGrew
55 ROLB Don Blackmon
42 LCB Ronnie Lippett
38 SS Roland James
31 FS Fred Marion
26 RCB Ray Clayborn

Patriots Special Teams:
1 K Tony Franklin
3 P Rich Camarillo
81 KR Stephen Starring
80 PR Irving Fryar

 

[jmt57]

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

Monday Sept 29, 1963 at 4:30 ET, 2:30 MT
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 3-point road favorites
TV: ABC; Jack Buck, George Ratterman
Clear, 76°, 66% humidity 18%, 10 mph wind; attendance 18,636
Pats 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 1963 Patriots were coming off a pair of 9-4-1 seasons, second place in the AFL East both years behind the Houston Oilers. Ironically they slid two games to 7-6-1 in '63, but won their first division title before losing to San Diego in the AFL championship game.



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.​

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.​

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.​

Mike 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.​

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats:
Fun old school AFL Media Game Summary

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

September 29, 1963 - Boston Patriots at Denver Broncos Box Score and Game Statistics

The most complete, accurate and reliable reference source for September 29, 1963 - Boston Patriots at Denver Broncos boxscore and game statistics.

profootballarchives.com

Patriots Starting Offense:
20 SE Gino Cappelletti
71 LT Don Oakes
76 LG Charlie Long
54 C Walt Cudzik
73 RG Billy Neighbors
70 RT Milt Graham
86 TE Tony Romeo
81 FL Jim Colclough
15 QB Babe Parilli
30 HB Jim Crawford
40 FB Larry Garron

Patriots Starting Defense:
72 LDE Larry Eisenhauer
75 LDT Jesse Richardson
65 RDT Houston Antwine
89 RDE Bob Dee
53 LLB Tommy Addison
85 MLB Nick Buoniconti
80 RLB Jack Rudolph
24 LCB **** Felt
23 LS Ronnie Hall
25 RS Ross O'Hanley
34 RCB Chuck Shonta

Patriots Special Teams:
20 K Gino Cappelletti
14 P Tom Yewcic
21 KR Bob Suci
45 PR Tom Stephens

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Marshall Newhouse​

Happy 37th birthday to Marshall Newhouse
Born September 29, 1974 in Dallas, Texas
Patriot offensive tackle, 2019; uniform #72
Signed as a veteran free agent on September 11, 2019
Pats résumé: one season, 15 games (nine starts); one postseason game


Sept 13, 2019:

Why Marshall Newhouse was an obvious signing for Belichick, Patriots

FOXBORO — Want proof the New England Patriots are always ready for Plan B? Less than 48 hours after right tackle Marcus Cannon went down in their season opener, the Patriots brought in free agent Marshall Newhouse for a workout. The following day, they signed the veteran offensive lineman to a...

www.nbcsportsboston.com

Want proof the New England Patriots are always ready for Plan B?​

Less than 48 hours after right tackle Marcus Cannon went down in their season opener, the Patriots brought in free agent Marshall Newhouse for a workout. The following day, they signed the veteran offensive lineman to a one-year contract.​

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was asked Friday why his team chose Newhouse and gave a straightforward answer.​

"He's got experience," Belichick said. "He's played both sides. He's a guy that's played good football during his time in the league. And he was available. That's the main thing."​

Sept 20, 2019:

Patriots Sticking With Marshall Newhouse At Left Tackle For Foreseeable Future

Yes, outside of all the Antonio Brown stories, the New England Patriots do have to go about their business this week on the football field. And in that regard, they have a pretty significant challenge facing them on the offensive line.

www.cbsnews.com

Yes, outside of all the Antonio Brown stories, the New England Patriots do have to go about their business this week on the football field. And in that regard, they have a pretty significant challenge facing them on the offensive line.​

Last week, first-year starter Isaiah Wynn left the game in Miami early due to a turf toe injury, thus prompting Marshall Newhouse into action. The veteran tackle had signed with the Patriots just a few days prior to kickoff, and his workload of taking 100 percent of the offensive snaps was likely not in his plans heading into the weekend.​

This weekend, though, the plan is much more direct, as offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia told the media Friday that Newhouse will be the team's starting left tackle come Sunday afternoon vs. the Jets.​

"Continuity is really important to us, and we're going to play the way we played last week. [Joe] Thuney's going to be the left guard, Marshall is going to be the left tackle. We're going to have Shaq [Mason at right guard], we're going to have Ted [Karras at center], and we're going to have a right tackle," Scarnecchia said.​

With Wynn now on injured reserve for at least eight weeks, the position should be Newhouse's to own for a good portion of the season.​

The right tackle situation remains somewhat in flux, as starter Marcus Cannon deals with a shoulder injury. If he can't play, Korey Cunningham will likely fill the right tackle spot, as he did Sunday in Miami.​

Thuney showed the versatility to play tackle during training camp, but Scarnecchia said the team would prefer to have as much continuity as possible.​

"I'd rather not have to move Joe here or move Joe there," Scarnecchia said. "We'd like to keep four of the five components that we started with in place -- now three of the five components."​

Sept 16, 2019:

Offensive lineman Marshall Newhouse didn’t flip out in his Patriots debut - The Boston Globe

When asked what it was like switching from right tackle to left, Newhouse gave a candid assessment.

www.bostonglobe.com

Sept 17, 2019:

Patriots tackle Marshall Newhouse a quick study

FOXBORO — Newly acquired offensive tackle Marshall Newhouse is feeling the Scarnecchia effect. Newhouse’s versatility kept the Patriots offensive line operational by switching tackle positions in t…

www.bostonherald.com

Newly acquired offensive tackle Marshall Newhouse is feeling the Scarnecchia effect.​

Newhouse’s versatility kept the Patriots offensive line operational by switching tackle positions in the first quarter of Sunday’s 43-0 drubbing of the Miami Dolphins.​

Newhouse, a journeyman veteran of 10 NFL seasons with eight different teams, signed a one-year deal with the Patriots on Sept. 13 as an emergency fill-in for injured right tackle Marcus Cannon (shoulder).​

Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia helped Newhouse prepare to make his 73rd NFL start and first with the Patriots under the sweltering South Florida sun. Newhouse likely will make his Patriots debut at Gillette Stadium at either flank on Sunday against the New York Jets.​

“He (Scarnecchia) just has attention to detail, holds you accountable and is very demanding at all things that make a lineman better, and I appreciate that,” Newhouse said Monday at Gillette.​

Newhouse made a quick study of the Patriots playbook, got acclimated with his linemates and spent the week game-planning to play right tackle.​

“I landed earlier in the week, jumped in the playbook, jumped in the meeting and practice because everything was new to me, but I went about my business and (I was) trying to be a pro and help the team win,” Newhouse said.​

Newhouse had to switch sides when left tackle Isaiah Wynn went down with a toe injury at 2:53 of the first quarter. Korey Cunningham, who was acquired in a trade from the Arizona Cardinals on Aug. 29, entered the game at right tackle.​

March 7, 2025:

From the NFL Gridiron to TCU's Neeley School of Business

The third in a series exploring graduate programs in Fort Worth and Tarrant County, along with the students enrolled in them. Today, TCU's Neeley School of Business is helping Marshall Newhouse mold his future after professional football.

fortworthinc.com

After a 10-year career in the National Football League helping offenses advance the football and score touchdowns, 6-foot-4, 330-pound Marshall Newhouse wanted firm footing in deciding what he wanted to do with the rest of his life.​

He had been involved in angel investing, including advising for Techstars Fort Worth, and venture capital funds. He was learning the business and networking.​

“I had a mind to maybe transition that into a role [in finance],” he says from his home in Austin. “Business School has fostered some of that, but I think business school was, for me, to give myself the space to pivot and figure out what I really, really want to do.”​

Newhouse, 35, will graduate in May from his alma mater’s Neeley School of Business with an Executive MBA, an 18-month program for professionals.​

He is going there on an NFL tuition reimbursement program designed to help players either finish their undergraduate degree or, for guys like Newhouse, in graduate school.​

After doing some investigating and scouting a variety of schools, Newhouse believed the EMBA program was a better fit for him, even though he’s not in, say, a managerial position in corporate America.​

“Was I in a managerial position in a corporate America? No, but I consider my NFL experience as work experience,” he says. “I've been on boards and invested, so I think it was a better fit. And then also, scheduling. It’s a full-time program, but we meet every other weekend. So, there are days in between that I can pursue opportunities. I think that was the biggest draw for me.”​

Newhouse played at TCU from 2006-09. He graduated with a degree in advertising public relations — now called strategic communications — from the Bob Schieffer College of Communication.​

Sept 23, 2025:

All-American Newhouse Joins Horned Frogs Sports Network - TCU Athletics

FORT WORTH – One of the most accomplished offensive linemen in program history is bringing his talents back home to TCU as Marshall Newhouse is set to join t...

gofrogs.com

A three-time All Mountain West Conference lineman, Newhouse started 26 straight games for TCU leading the Frogs to the Fiesta Bowl to cap an impressive TCU career. Drafted in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft by Green Bay, Newhouse spent 11 years in the NFL, winning a Super Bowl with the Packers in 2011 over the Pittsburgh Steelers.​

Marshall Newhouse Career Game Log | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Get Marshall Newhouse Career game log for regular season and playoff games on Pro-football-reference.com.

www.pro-football-reference.com

Marshall Newhouse Pro Football Stats, Position, College, Draft, Transactions

The most complete, accurate and reliable reference source for Marshall Newhouse pro football statistics, stats, draft info, awards, biographical data, transactions and more.

www.profootballarchives.com

Marshall Newhouse - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Other Sept 29 Birthdays​

Happy 51st birthday to Dedric Ward
Born September 29, 1974 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Patriot wide receiver, 2003; uniform #17
Signed as a veteran free agent on November 20, 2003
Pats résumé: one season, four games; seven receptions, one touchdown

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 56th birthday to OJ Brigance
Born September 29, 1969 in Houston, Texas
Patriot outside linebacker, 2002; uniform #59
Signed as a veteran free agent on August 12, 2002
Pats résumé: one season, four games; seven receptions, one touchdown

Orenthial James (I guess his mother liked a certain running back from USC) Brigance 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 26th birthday to Ronnie Perkins
Born September 29, 1999 in St Louis, Missouri
Patriot outside linebacker, 2021-2023; uniform #51
New England 3rd round pick (#96 overall) from Oklahoma in the 2021 draft
Pats résumé: two season on IR, plus a third offseason/training camp

This draft bust did appear in three games for Denver in 2003, but is mostly known as an example of failed drafts at the end of the Belichick era.




Happy 44th birthday to Atiyyah Ellison
Born September 29, 1981 in St Louis, Missouri
Patriot defensive ens, 2010
Signed as a veteran free agent on January 5, 2011
Pats résumé: one season, four days, zero game

Not sure what happened here, but the five-year veteran from Missouri was released four days after he signed with the Pats - between the final game of the 2010 season, and the unexpected playoff loss to the Jets.
Ellison played in a total of 15 NFL games, all for Jacksonville in 2009.




Happy 39th birthday to Zac Robinson
Born September 29, 1986 in Edmond, Oklahoma
Patriot quarterback, 2010 offseason; uniform #7
New England 7th round pick (#250 overall) from Oklahoma State in the 2010 draft
Pats résumé: one offseason and training camp

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 a passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach with the Los Angeles Rams from 2019 to 2023, and since 2024 is the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons.




Unhappy 33rd birthday to Austin Seferian-Jenkins
Born September 29, 1992 in Fox Island, Washington
Patriot tight end, 2019 offseason
Signed as a veteran free agent on June 4, 2019
Pats résumé: two months of his last offseason in the NFL

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.