Today In Patriots History September 16, 2007: Pats answer critics, crush Chargers 38-14

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Pats respond to spygate criticisms on Sunday Night Football
Crush loud-mouthed whiny Chargers, 38-14​

Sunday Sept 16, 2007 at 8:20
Week 2, Game 2 at Gillette Stadium
New England Patriots 34, San Diego Charger 14
Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, Norv Turner
QBs: Tom Brady, Philip Rivers
Odds: Patriots favored by 5½
Patriots improve to 2-0; Chargers drop to 1-1

Patriots Report Card

Are the Chargers clueless, or just a little stupid? Or do the Patriots simply have the habit of making opponents look that way? The Chargers ran their mouths after last year’s playoff loss, again t…

www.bostonherald.com

No defense for this unit

FOXBORO – They called the late-1990s Rams “The Greatest Show on Turf.” The Chargers of the early ’80s went by Air Coryell. It might be time to come up with a name for the 2007 Patriots. Two g…

www.bostonherald.com

Patriots rout Chargers in first game after Spygate decision - The Boston Globe

Days after the franchise was punished by the NFL for Spygate, the Patriots blew out the Chargers 38-14 with Tom Brady and Randy Moss connecting for two touchdown in the home opener.

www.bostonglobe.com

Sept. 16, 2007: Patriots 38, Chargers 14

Sept. 16, 2007 at Gillette Stadium Patriots 38, Chargers 14 Union-Tribune game coverage The game: Tom Brady passed for 151 yards and two TDs in the first quarter as the Pats jumped out to a 24-0 ha…

www.sandiegouniontribune.com

Brady throws 3 TDs, Moss catches 2 TDs in Patriots' victory

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots proved they don't need to spy to win. A few brilliant offseason acquisitions are more than enough. The Patriots routed the San Diego Chargers 38-14 Sund…

www.savannahnow.com

The New England Patriots proved they don't need to spy to win. A few brilliant offseason acquisitions are more than enough.​

The Patriots routed the San Diego Chargers 38-14 Sunday night as Tom Brady threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns and got three TDs from players picked up last spring: Randy Moss with two receptions and Adalius Thomas, with a 65-yard interception return.​

The victory came three days after the NFL fined Patriots coach Bill Belichick $500,000, the team another $250,000 and took away what is almost sure to be a first-round draft choice.​

It wasn't Belichick's spying that paid off Sunday night against a San Diego team that finished 14-2 last season but lost to New England 24-21 in its first playoff game. It was the players he brought in during the offseason - Thomas, Moss and Wes Welker - who combined with Brady and linebacker Rosevelt Colvin to completely dominate a team that figures to be among their main competitors in the AFC.​

Moss, who had nine catches for 183 yards and a touchdown in an identical 38-14 win over the New York Jets last week, had eight more for 105 yards and 23 and 24-yard TD catches.​

Welker had 8 catches for 91 yards, including a 34-yarder on the first drive of the game that set up Brady's 7-yard TD pass to Benjamin Watson and got the Patriots (2-0) off to a quick start.​

Patriots 38, Chargers 14: Pats pull the plug

FOXBORO - The Chargers might just wish no cameras captured this one for posterity. In the wake of a week's worth of scandal over attempting to videotape opponents' defensive signals, the Patriots pro…

www.metrowestdailynews.com

The Chargers might just wish no cameras captured this one for posterity.​

In the wake of a week's worth of scandal over attempting to videotape opponents' defensive signals, the Patriots proved beyond a doubt that they are more than capable of dominating even the NFL's elite without any extra technological assistance.​

Those plays started quickly, as the Patriots wasted no time setting the tone. Tom Brady came out throwing, starting the opening possession in the shotgun and going briefly to a no-huddle attack. The first drive produced seven points after just seven plays - all through the air.​

Brady was nearly perfect on the drive, completing 6-of-7 throws for 69 yards. Benjamin Watson was his favorite target, hauling in three balls (5 for the game), including the TD strike from 7 yards out.​

The Patriots nearly added to the lead as Rosevelt Colvin picked off Philip Rivers on San Diego's first offensive play. That set up New England at the Chargers' 24, but Stephen Gostkowski missed a 41-yard field goal attempt.​

New England didn't lose any momentum with that miss, though, quickly forcing the Chargers to go three-and-out, then marching to pay dirt again. Brady was again lethal through the air, going 5-for-5 on a 10-play drive capped by a perfect 23-yard strike to Randy Moss (8 catches, 105 yards, 2 TDs).​

The defense also made things look easy, holding explosive LaDainian Tomlinson to 58 total yards (43 on the ground) and forcing three turnovers. Colvin accounted for another of those when he stripped Rivers and Vince Wilfork pounced on it, setting up a second chance for Gostkowski, who converted from 24 yards.​

Adalius Thomas, who limped off the field earlier in the night, didn't need any help from the kicking game. Showing no signs of an injury, he stepped in front of another Rivers pass and rumbled 65 yards to the end zone with 5:17 remaining in the half for a commanding 24-0 halftime lead.​

San Diego finally got its offense rolling in the second half, with Lorenzo Neal completing a 16-play drive with a scoring catch on fourth-and-goal from the 1. But New England answered immediately as Brady found a wide-open Moss again for another score from 24 yards out.​

The Chargers tried to make things interesting at the start of the fourth with Antonio Gates hauling in a 12-yard score and Quintin Jammer recovering an Ellis Hobbs fumble at the Patriots' 31 on the ensuing kick. But back-to-back 10-yard sacks by Mike Vrabel and Colvin ended that threat.​

Sammy Morris then provided the final exclamation point with a 2-yard plunge on fourth-and-1 with 3:18 left. That capped a monstrous 15-play, 91-yard drive that chewed up 10:07 and spit out the last hopes of San Diego salvaging any pride on this night. Laurence Maroney (15 rushes for 77 yards) ran the ball nine times for 49 yards on the drive, with the Chargers defense incapable of stopping New England's offense.​

1:47 Quick Highlights
2007 Chargers at Patriots Week 2



3:18 Highlight Video
Chargers vs Patriots 2007 Week 2



30:52 All-22 Video
2007 Patriots Offense vs Chargers - Week 2



1:54:54 Full Game
2007 Week 2: Patriots vs Chargers




Ben Watson was the go-to player on the first touchdown drive,
and Laurence Maroney was the key player on the final TD​

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

San Diego Chargers at New England Patriots - September 16th, 2007 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

San Diego Chargers 14 at New England Patriots 38 on September 16th, 2007 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Rod Rust gets his first - and last - win as Head Coach
Patriots top Colts, 16-14​

Sunday Sept 16, 1990 at 1:00
Week 2, Game 2 at the Hoosier Dome
New England Patriots 16, Indianapolis Colts 14
Head Coaches: Rod Rust, Ron Meyer
QBs: Steve Grogan, Jeff George
Odds: Colts favored by 2½
Patriots improve to 1-1; Colts drop to 0-2


The Patriots' defense dominated, and the offense did just enough to get a win on the road in Indy. The Pats D forced five turnovers, allowing New England to control the ball for close to 37 minutes. Maurice Hurst had two interceptions, Ronnie Lippett and Fred Marion both had a pick and Ray Agnew recovered a fumble. In addition Vincent Brown and Johnny Rembert each had a sack on Jeff George, who went 12-24 for 160 yards - 68 of which came on a fourth quarter TD to make the game close in the fourth quarter.

Steve Grogan completed two thirds of his passes, going 16-24 for 187 yards with one touchdown and one interception. John Stephens was the offensive star of the game with 96 yards rushing and 51 more yards on five receptions. Irving Fryar caught four passes for 58 yards, and Hart Lee Dykes had a 27 yard touchdown reception that tied the score at 7-7 in the first half. Jason Staurovsky kicked three field goals after drives stalled in the red zone, giving the Patriots a 16-7 lead before Indianapolis scored on a 68 yard TD late for the final score.

Patriots 16, Colts 14

INDIANAPOLIS Former Tulsa University kicker Jason Staurovsky booted field goals of 39, 27 and 25 yards in the second half, while New England intercepted rookie quarterback Jeff George four times as t…

www.oklahoman.com

Former Tulsa University kicker Jason Staurovsky booted field goals of 39, 27 and 25 yards in the second half, while New England intercepted rookie quarterback Jeff George four times as the Patriots beat Indianapolis.​

George, who also lost 17 yards on a sack, completed a 68-yard touchdown pass to Bill Brooks for the game's final touchdown with 2:16 to play.​

Indianapolis tried an onside kick which New England's Ronnie Lippett covered at the Colts 44. The Patriots then ran three straight running plays, recording their 10th conversion in 17 third-down plays before running out the clock.​

The Patriots were 1–1 at this point and looking good. The defense had intercepted opposing quarterbacks seven times in just two games, as well as forcing three fumbles (with two fumble recoveries). That gave the Pats a commanding 9–1 turnover differential, while the offense was playing well enough to keep the team in games.

One day later. after the conclusion of the Monday practice, TE Zeke Mowatt, RB Robert Perryman and WR Michael Timpson decided that it would be fun to stand in front of and behind Boston Herald reporter Lisa Olson naked/semi-naked and sexually harass her in the Pats locker room. The questionable decision making blew up and became a major embarrassment for the team. Owner Victor Kiam dumped gasoline on the fire with an ill advised attempt at humor, commenting at an event about Olson "seeing a Patriot Missile up close". The ensuing media frenzy predictably became a major distraction to the team - not just for the next game, but for the entire season.

The Patriots would not win another game for the rest of the entire 1990 season. Rod Rust would be fired as soon as the season ended, and was never offered another head coaching interview.

2:13:28 Full Game
1990 Week 2 - New England at Indianapolis



15:07 1990 Season Highlights
1990 New England Patriots
​

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats:

New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts - September 16th, 1990 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

New England Patriots 16 at Indianapolis Colts 14 on September 16th, 1990 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[h0c2000]

Mayflower departs England | September 16, 1620 | HISTORY

On September 16, 1620, the Mayflower sails from Plymouth, England, bound for the Americas with 102 passengers. The ship was headed for Virginia, where the colonists—half religious dissenters and half entrepreneurs—had been authorized to settle by the British crown. However, stormy weather and...

www.history.com

On this day 404 years ago, the forefathers of the first Patriots depart England.

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Pats Overcome 23-0 Deficit
Score Six Straight Times To Beat Seattle 38-23​

Sunday Sept 16, 1984 at 1:00
Week 3, Game 3 at Sullivan Stadium
New England Patriots 38, Seattle Seahawks 23
Head Coaches: Ron Meyer, Chuck Knox
QBs: Steve Grogan/Tony Eason, Dave Krieg
Odds: Patriots favored by 3
Pats improve to 2-1; Seahawks drop to 2-1


The Patriots set a franchise record for greatest regular season comeback in this game, coming back from 23 down in the second quarter by scoring 38 consecutive points for the win. (That mark would be surpassed by one point 29 years later, when the Pats had an amazing game to comeback from 24-0 deficit in 2013 to defeat the Broncos 34-31 in overtime.) Tony Eason replaced an ineffective Steve Grogan, and remained the Patriots' starting quarterback for the rest of the season.

Coincidentally, the Seahwaks - who often met with the Patriots because they were in the AFC West at that time - exacted revenge two years later. Seattle blew a 13-7 fourth quarter lead to the Pats in 1985, but then in '86 they scored 17 points in the final 2:53 to defeat the Patriots by the score of 38-31.



Back to this 1984 game, via NFL historian Keith Powell at FS64 Sports.

1984: Eason Rallies Patriots from 23-0 Deficit to Beat Seahawks

The New England Patriots were 1-1 and had lost badly in the season’s second week as they hosted the 2-0 Seattle Seahawks on September 16, 19...

fs64sports.blogspot.com

The New England Patriots were 1-1 and had lost badly in the season’s second week as they hosted the 2-0 Seattle Seahawks on September 16, 1984 at Sullivan Stadium. After two years under Head Coach Ron Meyer, the Patriots were coming off an 8-8 record in ’83 and appeared to be on the upswing. The team had a solid veteran quarterback in Steve Grogan while the 1983 first round draft pick, Tony Eason from Illinois, was waiting in the wings. RB Tony Collins, who ran for 1049 yards in ’83, was joined by Craig James, a talented two-year veteran of the USFL. WR Stanley Morgan’s production had been eroding, but he was joined by the 1984 first draft pick, WR Irving Fryar from Nebraska. The defense included Andre Tippett, the pass rushing star of a fine linebacking corps, CB Raymond Clayborn and SS Roland James in the backfield, and a decent line.​

Seattle, coached by Chuck Knox, had reached the postseason for the first time in franchise history in ’83. The offense was led by QB Dave Krieg, who had beaten out veteran Jim Zorn at midseason, and steady WR Steve Largent. However, they had lost star RB Curt Warner to a season-ending injury in the opening game. But they had a fine defense that included SS Ken Easley, CB Dave Brown, ends Jacob Green and Jeff Bryant, and NT Joe Nash.​

There were 43,140 fans attending on a sunny and clear day in Foxboro. The Seahawks got the ball first and went three-and-out, and the resulting punt was returned 55 yards by Fryar to the Seattle 10 yard line. However, on New England’s first play, Grogan fumbled while being sacked and Bryant recovered for the Seahawks at the 21. Seattle drove 54 yards in 11 plays that resulted in a 42-yard Norm Johnson field goal for the first points of the game.​

Following a three-and-out series by the Patriots, the Seahawks took just five plays to put more points on the board. In a third-and-six situation, Krieg completed a pass to WR Paul Johns for 23 yards to the New England 43, and two snaps later he went to WR Daryl Turner for a 41-yard touchdown. While Johnson’s extra point attempt was missed, Seattle held a 9-0 lead.​

In the second quarter, Johns returned a punt 47 yards for another touchdown for the Seahawks and, two plays after the Patriots got the ball back, Grogan was intercepted by Easley, who returned it 25 yards for a TD. With the game barely six minutes into the second period, Seattle held a 23-0 lead. New England’s offense had been ineffective, with Grogan throwing three incomplete passes and an interception.​

Tony Eason was at quarterback when the Patriots got the ball back, but there was no immediate change – he threw two incompletions and was sacked on his first series. The teams continued to trade punts until New England took possession at the Seattle 44 with two minutes to play in the half. The young quarterback finally completed his first pass, for 12 yards to TE Derrick Ramsey, and seven plays later, Eason took off on a 25-yard touchdown run and the halftime score was 23-7.​

It had been an ugly first half for the Patriots, who gained just 70 yards and had three first downs to 168 yards and nine first downs for Seattle. But the late momentum in the second quarter seemed to carry over into the second half. On its first possession, New England went 80 yards in seven plays, capped by Eason’s two-yard touchdown pass to Ramsey.​

It was now Seattle’s offense that couldn’t move, and the Patriots began to win the battle for field position. Midway through the third quarter, following a punt that started them off at the Seahawks’ 49, the Patriots drove to another score. Tony Collins started the seven-play drive off with a 21-yard run around end and, following an Eason pass to WR Stephen Starring for a 13-yard gain down to the one, RB Mosi Tatupu went up the middle for a TD and, with the successful extra point, it was now a two-point game at 23-21.​

The teams again traded punts but, with the third quarter running down, Seattle moved the ball to the New England 31. However, on the last play of the period, Krieg was sacked by Tippett for a 15-yard loss and the Seahawks were forced to punt to start the final quarter. The Patriots largely kept the ball on the ground during the resulting 15-play, 65-yard drive that resulted in a 32-yard Tony Franklin field goal and a 24-23 lead.​

Big plays by the defense then allowed the Patriots to take control of the game. On the first play of Seattle’s ensuing possession, LB Steve Nelson sacked Krieg, forcing a fumble that was recovered by NT Lester Williams. Two plays later, Tatupu took off around right end for a 10-yard touchdown, and New England’s lead was extended to 31-23.​

Krieg went to the air when Seattle got the ball back, DB Dave Dombroski intercepted a pass near midfield, and the Patriots had possession again at the Seahawks’ 44. The breaks definitely were going New England’s way when, on the first play, Collins fumbled after picking up five yards but teammate Starring picked up the loose ball and advanced to the 20. Three plays later, Eason completed a 15-yard pass to Fryar in the end zone with just under two minutes left to play. It provided the final margin as the Patriots came away with a remarkable 38-23 win.​

New England outgained the Seahawks (291 yards to 252) and had more first downs (22 to 16). Seattle was clearly missing Curt Warner at running back, gaining just 37 yards on 28 rushing plays. The Seahawks also turned the ball over three times, to two suffered by the Patriots.​

Tony Eason completed 12 of 22 passes for 126 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Tony Collins (pictured above) ran for 107 yards on 20 carries while Stephen Starring caught 4 passes for 46 yards.​

For Seattle, Dave Krieg was successful on 17 of 35 passes for 265 yards with a TD but two interceptions. Paul Johns had 8 pass receptions for 105 yards. But FB David Hughes led what there was of a running attack with 18 yards on 8 attempts while 34-year-old RB Franco Harris, well past his prime and in his final season, contributed 13 yards on 10 carries.​

New England lost the next week to Washington but then won three straight games. However, when Coach Meyer tried to fire defensive coordinator Rod Rust, he himself was sent packing and was replaced by all-time great receiver and former assistant coach Raymond Berry. The team ended up with a 9-7 record, good enough for second place in the AFC East but below preseason expectations.​

Seattle recovered to go 12-4, placing second in the AFC West but securing a wild card playoff spot; the Seahawks beat the Los Angeles Raiders in the first round but lost to the Dolphins in the Divisional playoff.​

Tony Eason continued as the starting quarterback the rest of the way and completed 60.1 percent of his passes for 3228 yards with 23 touchdowns against just 8 interceptions to rank third in the NFL (93.4 rating). However, Tony Collins lost his starting job to Craig James and ended up with barely more than half of his ’83 output (550 yards). Irving Fryar had injury problems and distinguished himself more as a punt returner than a pass receiver, but Stephen Starring emerged to catch 46 passes for 657 yards and Derrick Ramsey set a club record with 66 receptions, for 792 yards and seven touchdowns.​

2:40:48 Full Game
1984 - Week 3 - Seattle @ New England
​

More on the 1984 Seattle Seahawks here:

1984 Seattle Seahawks

Originally Published: February 3, 2016 The Seahawks were the darlings of the NFL after their miracle run in 1983. Wild Card teams getting to the conference championship game were still pretty rar…

www.seattlesportshell.com

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats:

Seattle Seahawks at New England Patriots - September 16th, 1984 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Seattle Seahawks 23 at New England Patriots 38 on September 16th, 1984 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Pats Defense Limits Bengals To 32 Net Passing Yards
New England 20, Cincinnati 14​

Sunday Sept 16, 1979 at 1:00
Week 3, Game 3 at Riverfront Stadium
New England Patriots 20, Cincinnati Bengals 14
Head Coaches: Ron Erhardt, Homer Rice
QBs: Steve Grogan, Jack 'The Throwin' Samoan' Thompson
Odds: Patriots favored by 6
Pats improve to 2-1; Bengals drop to 0-3


Stanley Morgan scored on a 17-yard pass from Steve Grogan, Sam Cunningham compiled 88 yards from scrimmage, and the defense registered five sacks to stop the Bengals. John Smith booted two 39-yard fourth quarter field goals to seal the victory.

Steelers Win on Bahr's Field Goal (Published 1979)

www.nytimes.com

Patriots 20, Bengals 14​

​

AT CINCINNATI — Steve Grogan, who passed for five touchdowns against the Jets last week, hit Stanley Morgan for a 17?yard touchdown play and set up another score — on a 2?yard run by Don Calhoun — with a pass to Morgan. New England won its second of three games. Cincinnati, in losing its third straight, also lost the regular quarterback, Ken Anderson, late in the first period with back injury of undetermined severity. Jack Thompson, a rookie, went the rest of the way and accounted for both Bengal touchdowns, on runs of 1 and 13 yards.​

1:00 Quick Highlight Video
9/16/1979 New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals highlights, National Football League Week 3
​

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats:

New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals - September 16th, 1979 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

New England Patriots 20 at Cincinnati Bengals 14 on September 16th, 1979 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
1962: Pats Upset George Blanda, AFL Champions
Boston Patriots 34, Houston Oilers 21​

Sunday Sept 16, 1962 at 1:00
Week 2, Game 2 at Harvard Stadium
Boston Patriots 34, Houston Oilers 21
Head Coaches: Mike Holovak, Pop Ivy
QBs: Babe Parilli, George Blanda
Odds: Oilers favored by 14
Pats improve to 1-1; Oilers drop to 1-1


Babe Parilli threw two touchdown passes, and sealed the victory with a 32-yard fourth quarter rushing TD to upset the heavily favored defending AFL champion Houston Oilers at Harvard Stadium. Ron Burton rushed for 118 yards while the Pats defense picked off Houston QB George Blanda four times.

OILER STREAK ENDED BY PATRIOTS, 34-21 (Published 1962)

www.nytimes.com

The Boston Patriots cracked the two-season, 11-game victory streak of the two-time American Football League champion Houston Oilers today with a 34--21 victory before a crowd of 32,276 at Harvard Stadium.​

5:17 Highlight Video
9/16/1962 Houston Oilers at Boston Patriots highlights, American Football League Week 2
​

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats:

Houston Oilers at Boston Patriots - September 16th, 1962 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Houston Oilers 21 at Boston Patriots 34 on September 16th, 1962 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
1961: Pats Crush Denver With 2nd Half Onslaught
Boston Patriots 45, Denver Broncos 17​

Saturday Sept 16, 1961
Week 2, Game 2 at Nickerson Field
Boston Patriots 45, Denver Broncos 17
Head Coaches: Lou Saban, Frank Filchock
QBs: Butch Songin/Babe Parilli; Frank Tripucka
Odds: Patriots favored by 6½
Pats improve to 1-1; Broncos drop to 1-1


Butch Songin threw touchdown passes of 14 yards to Jim Colclough and 52 yards to Gino Cappelletti, then Tom Yewcic threw an 18-yard TD and ran for another TD as the Pats broke open a 10-10 tie, outscoring Denver 35-7 down the stretch for an emphatic win. Colclough had seven recptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns while Yewcic did a little bit of everything: the 18-yard touchdown pass, three rushes for 16 yards and a TD, two receptions for 56 yards, and 39.5 yards on six punts.

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats:

Denver Broncos at Boston Patriots - September 16th, 1961 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Denver Broncos 17 at Boston Patriots 45 on September 16th, 1961 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
1973: OJ Simpson rushes for 250 Yards
Buffalo Bills 31, Boston Patriots 13​

Sunday Sept 16, 1973 at 1:00
Week 1, Game 1 at Schaefer Stadium
Buffalo Bills 31, New England Patriots 13
Head Coaches: Chuck Fairbanks, Lou Saban
QBs: Jim Plunkett, Dennis Shaw
Odds: Vegas line: pick


OJ Simpson set an NFL record by being the first player to rush for over 2,000 yards in 1973. That would have never happened if not for Buffalo's two games against the Patriots, gashing the Pats for a combined 469 yards in those two games. After those catastrophes head coach Chuck Fairbanks made it his mission to mold a defense that would stop that kind of running game - the AFC East at that time also included two games against the Dolphins, who feautured Larry Csonka, Jim Kiick and Mercury Morris at running back.

Fairbanks not only succedded in that quest - he also used what he saw Buffalo and Miami doing to create the greatest rushing offense in NFL history a few years later.

OJ rushed for 250 yards on this day, with an 80-yard first quarter TD and a 22-yard fourth quarter touchdown to put Buffalo up by 11. Overall the Bills ran for a whopping 360 yards, with Larry Watkins also gaining 105 yards on just 15 carries and two touchdowns. The Buffalo running game was so effective they almost never bothered to drop back for a pass. The Bills threw the ball just 12 times - and one of those was on a halfback option that Simpson completed.

As for the Patriots, there wasn't much to brag about. Sam Cunningham and Mack Herron scored, but the Pats did something they absolutely could not afford to do, turning the ball over four times.

21:31 Highlight Video
1973 Bills at Patriots GOTW week 1
​

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats:

Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots - September 16th, 1973 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Buffalo Bills 31 at New England Patriots 13 on September 16th, 1973 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
2018: Jaguars jump out to big lead, beat Pats
Jacksonville Jaguars 31, New England Patriots 20​

Sunday Sept 16, 2018 at 4:25
Week 2, Game 2 at TIAA Stadium
Jacksonville Jaguars 31, New England Patriots 20
Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, Doug Marrone
QBs: Tom Brady, Blake Bortles
Odds: Patriots favored by 2

Jaguars 31-20 Patriots (Sep 16, 2018) Game Recap - ESPN

Expert recap and game analysis of the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New England Patriots NFL game from September 16, 2018 on ESPN.

www.espn.com

Blake Bortles threw four touchdown passes, three in the first half, and the Jaguars beat Brady and the Patriots 31-20 Sunday in a rematch of last season's AFC championship game.​

The victory -- Jacksonville's first in nine tries against Brady -- could signal a new favorite in the AFC.​

Bortles threw for 377 yards in the best game of his five-year career.​

He threw perfect TD passes to Donte Moncrief, Keelan Cole and Austin Seferian-Jenkins in the first half, the second time Bortles has accomplished that feat. Bortles sealed the victory with a 61-yard pass to Dede Westbrook in the fourth quarter.​

Westbrook took a short pass on a crossing route, made one defender miss and outran another down the sideline and into the end zone. Cole delivered the key block.​

Cole finished with seven receptions for 116 yards and a score. He made a spectacular, one-handed catch on Jacksonville's second drive and beat Eric Rowe for a 24-yard touchdown three plays later. Rowe was benched.​

Westbrook's catch-and-run put the Jaguars (2-0) ahead 31-13, allowing them to start celebrating their second victory in franchise history against New England (1-1) and first in the regular season. They hadn't beaten the Pats since January 1999.​

Brady completed 24 of 35 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns, both to Chris Hogan. He was sacked twice. Brady pleaded with teammates on the bench early. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels appeared to deliver stern words, too.​

Just when the Patriots started showing signs of life -- they were down 11 and in field-goal range early in the fourth quarter -- Dante Fowler stripped Brady. Fowler was making his season debut after being suspended for the season opener.​

Unlike the previous meeting, Jaguars coach Doug Marrone didn't sit on the lead late. Jacksonville kept throwing, even in the final minutes, and put it on the offense to close out the game.​

Marrone was widely criticized for getting conservative in the title game. The Patriots trailed 20-10 in the fourth quarter of that one before rallying to win 24-20 and advancing to the Super Bowl.​

The teams played in the hottest game in Jaguars history. Temperature at kickoff was 97 degrees, with a heat index of 107 degrees. According to the NFL, it was the warmest game since Green Bay played at Arizona in 2003.​

5 takeaways from the Patriots’ 31-20 loss to the Jaguars

Five takeaways from the Patriots’ 31-20 loss at Jacksonville, in which the Jaguars may have asserted themselves as the team to beat in the AFC… The Jaguars are better There was a sense emanating from Jacksonville as Sunday approached that the Jaguars believe they actually were the better team...

www.boston.com

There was a sense emanating from Jacksonville as Sunday approached that the Jaguars believe they actually were the better team among the participants of last January’s AFC championship game. They did hold a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter of that contest, and have since rued their failure to finish that effort, reflected in their confidence and commentary as the rematch approached.​

It’s a hard case to make in retrospect, given that the Patriots ultimately overcame the Jaguars, and stamped their tickets to the Super Bowl. But after Sunday, there’s no dispute or debate necessary. Two weeks into the new season, the Jaguars are better than the Patriots.​

The Globe writer was a bit premature burying the Patriots in writing the above prognosis. Jacksonville won just three more games the rest of the way, finishing 5-11. The Patriots on the other hand lost just three more games, winning Super Bowl 53.

Photos: Jaguars defeat Patriots, 31-20

The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the New England Patriots at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida Sunday, September 16, 2018 in a rematch of last seasons AFC Championship contenders. The Jaguars w…

www.jacksonville.com

13:44 NFL Highlight Video
Patriots vs. Jaguars Week 2 Highlights | NFL 2018
​

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

New England Patriots at Jacksonville Jaguars - September 16th, 2018 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

New England Patriots 20 at Jacksonville Jaguars 31 on September 16th, 2018 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
2012: Blocked Punt, Bad Penalties Doom Sluggish Pats
Arizona Cardinals 20, New England Patriots 18​

Sunday Sept 16, 2012 at 1:00
Week 2, Game 2 at Gillette Stadium
Arizona Cardinals 20, New England Patriots 18
Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, Ken Whisenhunt
QBs: Tom Brady, Kevin Kolb
Odds: Patriots favored by 13½
Patriots drop to 1-1; Cardinals improve to 2-0


Just another one of many early season crap-fastic WTF losses.

Cardinals 20, Patriots 18: Crazy finish, but in the end the Pats get what they deserved

FOXBORO — There were no excuses coming out of the Patriots locker room Sunday afternoon. The team lost its home opener for the first time since Gillette Stadium was opened, 20-18 to Arizona, in one o…

www.providencejournal.com

Final: Cardinals 20, Patriots 18

By Zuri Berry, Boston.com Staff FOXBOROUGH — Despite four field goals on the day, including two from beyond 50 yards, Stephen Gostkowski’s 42-yard attempt with seconds remaining in the game was wide left as the Patriots fell to the Arizona Cardinals 20-18. It was the first time the Patriots had...

www.boston.com

Game Recap: Cardinals 20, Patriots 18

Kolb throws, runs for TDs, Cards top Pats 20-18

www.patriots.com

Sluggish Pats stunned by Cardinals, 20-18

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The New England Patriots lost for the first time in 11 home openers at Gillette Stadium. They may have also lost one of their most dynamic and dangerous offensive weapons for…

www.seacoastonline.com

Cardinals stun Patriots, 20-18

FOXBORO — The comeback wasn’t to be. Stephen Gostkowski hooked a 42-yard field goal in the final seconds, and the Arizona Cardinals escaped Gillette Stadium today with a 20-18 victory in the Pats’ home opener. The Cardinals had the Patri…

www.bostonherald.com

4:22 Highlight Video
Cardinals vs Patriots highlights 2012



2:23:24 Full Game
2012 Cardinals @ Patriots
​

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

Arizona Cardinals at New England Patriots - September 16th, 2012 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Arizona Cardinals 20 at New England Patriots 18 on September 16th, 2012 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com