Today In Patriots History September 18, 2022: 500th game for Kraft as owner; Pats 17, Steelers 14

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
2022: Pats D shuts down Pittsburgh, 17-14
500th game for Robert Kraft​

Sunday Sept 18, 2022 at 1:00
Week 2, Game 2 at Acrisure Stadium
New England Patriots 17, Pittsburgh Steelers 14
Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, Mike Tomlin
QBs: Mac Jones, Mitch Trubisky
Odds: Pats favored by 2½


Robert Kraft got his 342nd win in his 500th game as owner of the New England Patriots.
Regular season: 309-142, 68.5%
Post season: 33-16, 67.3%
Total: 342-158, 68.4%

At that point, in his first 29 years as owner, the Patriots had only three losing seasons, and missed the playoffs just six times.


The game was a bit odd to watch, becasue it was the first time in twenty years that a game between these two rivals had neither Tom Brady nor Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback.

Play of the game was a 44-yard touchdown pass from Mac Jones to Nelson Agholor just before the end of the half.

Nick Folk got the scoring started with 28-yard first quarter field goal. That was his 56th straight in the regular season from less than 50 yards, tying the NFL record set by Ryan Succop with Tennessee from 2014-2017.



From former PatsFans forum member Mike Dussault:

5 Keys from Patriots first win of the 2022 season

The Patriots got their first win of the 2022 season by defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers, 17-14, as New England forced two turnovers that helped them pull away in the low-scoring back-and-forth affair.​

Quarterback Mac Jones finished with 252 passing yards with a touchdown and an interception, as he made enough key plays to help get the win. The Pats came out throwing and put up points, then closed things off with the run as it was a complementary effort on that side of the ball.​

Defensively, they made life difficult for the Steelers holding them to just 14 total points and playing their best at the end when the game was on the line.​

Patriots Grind Out Tough Win At Pittsburgh | PatsFans.com

After looking like meek division tailenders last week at Miami, the Patriots came into hostile territory and emerged victorious.

www.patsfans.com

Patriots 17-14 Steelers (Sep 18, 2022) Game Recap - ESPN

Expert recap and game analysis of the New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers NFL game from September 18, 2022 on ESPN.

www.espn.com

The New England Patriots don't panic. It doesn't matter the year, the opponent or even the quarterback.​

A sometimes lifeless loss to Miami in their opener was just that, an opener. A starting point the Patriots knew would in no way define their season.​

The response was a performance that's become the standard for an organization that worries far less about style points and far more about winning by any means necessary: a clinical, largely selfless 17-14 victory over Pittsburgh on Sunday that kept New England without an 0-2 start in over 20 years.​

One big throw from quarterback Mac Jones to Nelson Agholor right before halftime. A muffed punt that found its way into the hands of Brenden Schooler to set up a pivotal touchdown run by Damien Harris. A leaping pass deflection by linebacker Matthew Judon in the fourth quarter, all of it topped off by 6:33 of pure physical domination by an offensive line that let the Patriots drain the clock on their way to beating the Steelers for the 13th time in 17 meetings under coach Bill Belichick.​

Jones bounced back from a rough Week 1 performance to throw for 253 yards, including a 44-yard heave to a leaping Agholor that gave the Patriots a 10-3 lead at the break. The defense forced a pair of three-and-outs in the fourth quarter after the Steelers had drawn within three. And the special teams took advantage of a miscue by Pittsburgh punt returner Gunner Olszewski, whose muff helped New England celebrate owner Robert Kraft's 500th game like it has so many that came before it: with a win built not so much on style, but substance.​

Harris ran for 71 yards, most of them coming on a clock-chewing drive in the final minutes that let New England play keep away as Pittsburgh's defense sagged late without star outside linebacker T.J. Watt, who is out indefinitely with a left pectoral injury.​

New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Live Score and Stats - September 18, 2022 Gametracker

Live NFL scores at CBSSports.com. Check out the NFL scoreboard, box scores, expert picks and game recaps.

www.cbssports.com

Mitch Trubisky threw for 168 yards with a touchdown and an interception for the Steelers, whose offense sputtered for long stretches as it struggled to find any sense of rhythm.​

The Steelers finished with just 243 yards of total offense as the Patriots made it a point to take away the deep passing game. A mixture of a steady pass rush in Trubisky's face and some hesitancy by Trubisky to test the New England secondary led to a series of check downs that moved the sticks on occasion but failed to create any sustained momentum.​

The first meeting between two of the NFL's marquee franchises to feature neither Tom Brady nor Ben Roethlisberger in years lacked the high stakes that long defined the rivalry between former AFC superpowers.​

Instead, New England came in looking for a jolt following a blah Week 1 loss to Miami while the Steelers are still in the nascent stages of the post-Roethlisberger era, a journey that began with a thrilling and slightly bizarre victory over Cincinnati last Sunday.​

The overtime victory came at quite a cost. Without Watt, Pittsburgh failed to generate any sort of sustained pass rush against Jones. The Steelers failed to record a single sack after collecting seven against the Bengals, and while Jones wasn't spectacular, he didn't have to be while extending drives with responsible and safe throws over the middle.​

NFL Week 2 Game Recap: New England Patriots 17, Pittsburgh Steelers 14

This one was a defensive battle, but the New England Patriots did enough on offense to hold off the Pittsburgh Steelers, 17-14, in Week 2.

www.pff.com

Offensive spotlight: Wide receiver Nelson Agholor came alive for six catches and 110 yards, including a second-quarter touchdown that gave the Patriots a lead they would not relinquish. Running back Damien Harris was efficient, rushing for 71 yards on 15 carries with a score.​

Defensive spotlight: Both defenses made things tough, but the Patriots tallied three sacks by Matthew Judon, Jahlani Tavai and Christian Barmore. Mac Jones threw a third-quarter pass that should have been intercepted, and after the defensive miscue, the Steelers' special teams unit muffed a punt, leading to the final Patriots score.​

Offensive line spotlight: The New England offensive line kept Mac Jones clean a week after the Steelers sacked Bengals QB Joe Burrow seven times.​

Game Day Thread - Official Game Day Thread- Pats @ Steelers

Thought I would start this thread a little early today. A big game today. Looking for a bounce back from our offense, no turnovers and hopefully more points. From our defense, hoping we get some turnovers, see less of Myles Bryant and Tavai and can put pressure on Trubisky. Of course also...

www.patsfans.com

Five Quick Thoughts After the Patriots Win Over The Steelers | PatsFans.com

Unlike last season, one thing that's been noticeable is the fact New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones doesn't seem quite as confident or as ****y as he was at the beginning of his rookie year.

www.patsfans.com

Unlike last season, one thing that’s been noticeable is the fact Jones doesn’t seem quite as confident or as ****y as he was at the beginning of his rookie year. Instead, Jones seems tentative and not quite seeing things as well as he did for much of last year.​

It’s certainly a little odd and probably the only way to describe it is that Jones looks more robotic and less fluid, which seems to be slowing down his progressions and keeping him from seeing things as well. That likely tells us he’s thinking a little too much, which is different from what we saw in his rookie year. Last year, Jones was smooth and seemed to just read and react, which appeared to play to his strengths.​

Thoughts on 15 Players Following the Patriots' Win Over the Steelers | PatsFans.com

Coming off of Sunday's Patriots win against the Steelers, here are some thoughts on some players after the team notched their first victory of 2021.

www.patsfans.com

Nelson Agholor – Last season, Agholor looked like DeVante Parker in that when Jones targeted him, bad things happened. Instead, Agholor has settled in and 2022 is definitely off to a great start. He made a huge play on Sunday, with his 44-yard touchdown as one that was just unreal after the veteran leaped up and snagged the football away from the defender and took off for the touchdown. So far, he’s been a much-needed surprise in a season where offense in the passing game remains a challenge.​

DeVante Parker – He struggled again Sunday. . . .​

Patriots Down Steelers 17-14, Game Observations | PatsFans.com

The Patriots got the ball on their own 30-yard line with 6:33 left, went on a 13-play, 71-yard drive that killed the entire clock.

www.patsfans.com

What a turnaround for the much-maligned (and deservedly so) offensive line. After struggling all summer and in Week 1, the offensive line overall turned in a very solid performance.​

Mac Jones was not sacked once and was hit just three times after getting banged up in Miami. This was the same Steelers defense that forced five turnovers and sacked Joe Burrow seven times last week on the road. While the Steelers were without T.J. Watt, the rest of the defense was there and intact.​

Cole Strange played a very strong game and was matched up frequently against Cameron Heyward, who had 0 sacks, 0 QB hits, and 0 tackles for loss (TFL). Alex Highsmith, who had 3 sacks a week ago, was held to 1 QB hit and one TFL.​

2:09 Highlight Video
Nelson Agholor Top Plays From 110-yard Game vs. Steelers | Patriots Highlights
​

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

New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers - September 18th, 2022 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

New England Patriots 17 at Pittsburgh Steelers 14 on September 18th, 2022 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
2016: Jimmy G Throws 3 TDs, Injures Shoulder
3rd string rookie Jacoby Brissett enters; Pats hold on, 31-24 over Miami​

Sunday Sept 18, 2016 at 1:00
Week 2, Game 2 at Gillette Stadium
New England Patriots 31, Miami Dolphins 24
Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, Adam Gase
QBs: Jimmy Garoppolo, Jacoby Brissett; Ryan Tannehill
Odds: Patriots favored by 5½
Pats improve to 2-0; Dolphins drop to 0-2


Jimmy Garoppolo threw touchdown passes on each of the first three drives as the Patriots jumped out to a 24-0 lead. Garoppolo left the game after taking a big hit in the second quarter, spraining his AC joint. Danny Amendola had two touchdown receptions, Martellus Bennett had five catches for 114 yards and a TD with Gronk sidelined, and LeGarrette Blount rushed for 123 yards and a TD.

Patriots 31, Dolphins 24: New England survives Jimmy Garoppolo's nightmare

FOXBORO — It was Jimmy Garoppolo’s worst nightmare. Imagine having the game of your life; the performance you dreamed of as a kid. Then picture it being ripped away by the unforgiving football god…

www.telegram.com

It was Jimmy Garoppolo’s worst nightmare.​

Imagine having the game of your life; the performance you dreamed of as a kid. Then picture it being ripped away by the unforgiving football gods. The 24-year-old quarterback experienced all of that in the Patriots' 31-24 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.​

In his first regular-season start in Gillette Stadium, Garoppolo made fans forget about Tom Brady for a moment. He also made prospective NFL teams and general managers drool over his potential. This was Garoppolo’s moment, his time to shine and he did. He was electric, surgical and outstanding for a quarter and a half.​

He was 18 for 27 for 234 yards and 3 touchdowns, a quarterback rating of 130.8 when it all came crashing down.​

At 4:57 of the second quarter, Garoppolo showed why he’s capable of not only being a starting NFL quarterback, but a good one. He used his athleticism to avoid the Dolphins pass rush and step out of the pocket. But as he released the ball, and connected with Malcolm Mitchell for 15 yards, he was hit after the throw by Kiko Alonso.​

Garoppolo crashed down to the turf and landed on his right shoulder. As it turned out, that may be the last time we see the quarterback as a starter this season.​

When the play was over, the quarterback immediately took a knee. He stood for a moment before dropping down again. That’s when the Patriots training staff came out on the field. They were focused on Garoppolo’s right shoulder and he was visibly in pain.​

Garoppolo left for the locker room and never returned. Instead, the team immediately sent him to a local area hospital. According to the Boston Herald, the early indication is that he will be out for six weeks.​

Losing a starting quarterback is the worst-case scenario for any team. On Sunday, with Brady out due to his four-game suspension, the Patriots were down to their third-string quarterback, rookie Jacoby Brissett. For the next two games, Brissett will be the Patriots starter.​

The first few snaps for the third-round pick on Sunday were shaky but the Patriots were able to move the ball down the field later in the game. In a stadium that's generated plenty of story lines in the past, Sunday’s injury to Garoppolo is the latest.​

To put the offensive performance by Garoppolo into perspective, the Dolphins defense came into this matchup after allowing just 12 points to Seattle a week ago. But it was evident from the first series, that Garoppolo was on his game.​

The quarterback was perfect — 5-for-5 for 64 yards and a touchdown — in the opening drive, carving through the Dolphins’ secondary. He capped the drive off with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Danny Amendola at 10:53 of the first quarter.​

By the time the second drive was over, the Patriots had a 14-0 lead and Garoppolo was 9 of 10 for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Martellus Bennett (five receptions for 114 yards) was on the receiving end of the second score.​

A third offensive series equaled a third touchdown pass for Garoppolo, who hit Amendola for his second score of the game. Three drives later, Garoppolo’s afternoon ended and Brissett’s NFL career started much earlier than anyone in Foxboro thought it would.​

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Brissett’s first two drives ended in punts, but the offense started strong in the third quarter. The rookie’s first-career completion went to Bennett for 37 yards. The Patriots went run heavy and eventually LeGarrette Blount scored at 6:16 of the third quarter.​

The Patriots were up, 31-3, at that point, but quickly that lead evaporated.​

In the second half, Ryan Tannehill ate up the Patriots secondary. He threw for two touchdowns and then Kenyan Drake ran in for a score. With 6:06 left in the game, the Patriots were hanging on to a 31-24 lead.​

A missed field goal by Stephen Gostkowski gave the Dolphins one more chance, but Duron Harmon ended the game with an interception in the end zone.​

The Patriots survived.​

Patriots 31-24 Dolphins (Sep 18, 2016) Game Recap - ESPN

Expert recap and game analysis of the New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins NFL game from September 18, 2016 on ESPN.

www.espn.com

The Dolphins, who beat the Patriots in Miami in last season's finale, had no answers for New England's offense early and fell into a 24-0 hole as they were stymied by three turnovers. Ryan Tannehill finally found some traction and trimmed a 31-3 deficit to 31-24 with 6:06 to play.​

Tannehill didn't complete a pass until the second quarter as the Patriots' defensive line pressured him into quick throws. The pressure culminated with Tannehill being intercepted by linebacker Jamie Collins late in the first half.​

Tannehill found Kenny Stills for a 24-yard touchdown in the third quarter and connected with Jordan Cameron for a 12-yard score in the fourth. Kenyan Drake also had a 7-yard touchdown run as Miami closed the gap. Tannehill completed 20 of his first 21 passes to begin the second half.​

The usually reliable Stephen Gostkowski missed a 39-yard field goal with 1:08 to play. But Duron Harmon intercepted Tannehill's pass in the back of the end zone with 2 seconds remaining. Tannehill finished 32 of 45 for 389 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions.​

Garoppolo had touchdown passes on each of the Patriots' first three drives to build a 21-0 lead.​

He had four completions of over 10 yards on the opening drive, capping it with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Danny Amendola. New England's second drive mirrored the first with Garoppolo finding Chris Hogan for gains of 19 and 24 yards. The series ended with a 20-yard scoring strike to Bennett.​

Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski (hamstring) was inactive for the second consecutive game. But New England made do without him. Garoppolo completed passes to seven receivers before his injury, including six completions to Julian Edelman.​

Bennett, primarily used as a blocker in last week's win at Arizona, had an early 26-yard reception to go with his 20-yard touchdown grab in the first quarter.​

Blount was active on the ground to help take pressure off both Garoppolo and Brissett. He brought the Gillette Stadium crowd to its feet during his 26-yard turn in the fourth quarter, which ended with him hurdling cornerback Byron Maxwell.​

12 Second LeGarrette Blount Highlight
Patriot's RB LeGarrette Blount FLIES over Dolphins' CB Byron Maxwell



4:53 NFL Highlight Video
Dolphins vs. Patriots | NFL Week 2 Game Highlights
​

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

Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots - September 18th, 2016 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Miami Dolphins 24 at New England Patriots 31 on September 18th, 2016 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
2011: Brady throws for 423 yards, 3 TD; Wilfork with epic interception
Patriots stop Chargers, 35-21​

Sunday Sept 18, 2011 at 4:15
Week 2, Game 2 at Gillette Stadium
New England Patriots 35, San Diego Chargers 21
Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, Norv Turner
QBs: Tom Brady, Philip Rivers
Odds: Patriots favored by 7
Pats improve to 2-0; Chargers drop to 1-1

Patriots 35, Chargers 21: Post-game report

Tom Brady is great again, but an opportune defense had its struggles.

www.boston.com

Stop me if you heard this one before: Tom Brady threw for over 400 yards and three touchdowns. The defense gave up a bunch of yards, couldn’t get off the field on third down but came up with four turnovers (plus a stopped a fourth down conversion on the 1 foot line). As an added bonus this time around, we had the old standby: the Chargers kept shooting themselves in the foot.​

Tight ends: No sophomore slump for Gronkandez. As long as those two are on the field – and Hernandez being beat up again is not good – they are a nightmare matchup-wise for defenses. And it’s not just in the red zone. All over the field.​

Opportunistic defense: The fourth down stop was huge. Devin McCourty made the heads up play by taking out the fullback, which caused Mike Tolbert to lose his footing a little bit. And then Jerod Mayo made a great play to stop Tolbert. Four turnovers will also cover up a lot of yards given up.​

Brady, Patriots slam Chargers

FOXBORO — Big-yardage games are becoming routine for Tom Brady. So is setting records.

www.capecodtimes.com

Brady threw for 423 yards on Sunday — six days after setting a single-game team record of 517 — and led the New England Patriots to a 35-21 win over the San Diego Chargers.​

The club record Brady shattered in the season opener at Miami had stood for 51 years. The NFL mark for most yards passing in the first two games of a season, 854, lasted about three hours. Carolina rookie Cam Newton set that before Brady ended the day at 940 yards.​

Brady became the first player in NFL history to follow a 500-yard passing performance with a 400-yard game, and the Patriots scored 30 points for the 10th straight regular-season game. He threw three touchdown passes and went 31 for 40 with no interceptions as the Patriots (2-0) scored on each of their four first-half possessions.​

The Chargers (1-1) turned the ball over inside the Patriots 35-yard line three times, leading to 17 points. They also were stopped on a fourth-and-goal at the 1, and the Patriots started a 99-yard drive that ended with one of Brady's two scoring passes to Rob Gronkowski.​

Game Recap: Patriots 35, Chargers 21

Brady had to share the spotlight and, somehow, wasn't totally obscured by the 325-pound form of defensive tackle Vince Wilfork. He got his first career interception to halt a promising Chargers drive late in the first half, rumbling 28 yards on the return.​

"I'm a well-conditioned athlete. I didn't need any oxygen," Wilfork said with a chuckle.​

He said he anticipated the screen pass to Rivers' right and stepped into the passing lane.​

Tom Brady dominates again in Patriots win

Big-yardage games are becoming routine for Tom Brady. So is setting records.

www.norwichbulletin.com

Philip Rivers completed 29 of 40 passes for 378 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for the Chargers. They had four turnovers for the second straight year against New England after losing 23-20 in 2010 when the Patriots gained just 179 yards.​

After a scoreless third quarter, the Chargers made it 20-14 on a 3-yard scoring pass from Rivers to Vincent Jackson early in the fourth.​

Then the Patriots tried for a first down on fourth-and-4 at the San Diego 49 because punter Zoltan Mesko had hurt his knee on a kick late in the third quarter. Brady threw an incompletion to Deion Branch, who led the Patriots with eight catches for 129 yards.​

But just three plays later, New England’s defense came through when Jerod Mayo forced a fumble and Rob Ninkovich recovered at the Patriots 39. Brady needed just four plays to cover 69 yards and throw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Gronkowski. Danny Woodhead ran in for the 2-point conversion and a 28-14 lead.​

The Chargers did score again on Rivers’ 26-yard pass to Jackson with 5:40 to go. The Patriots responded with a 16-yard touchdown run by BenJarvus Green-Ellis.​

Wes Welker tied Ben Coates for the Patriots record with catches in 63 straight regular-season games. ... Former QB Drew Bledsoe and C Jon Morris were honored at halftime as new members of the Patriots Hall of Fame. ... The Patriots are 15-2 in their last 17 home openers.​

Brady and Patriots Make the Most of the Chargers’ Mistakes (Published 2011)

As the Chargers stumbled to another loss, the Patriots looked strong and well rounded, with an offense and defense that have complemented each other to force opponents to wither.

www.nytimes.com

Live Game Blog:

Final: Patriots 35, Chargers 21

Tom Brady followed up his stellar 500-yard outing in the season opener, with a 423-yard outing as the Patriots beat the Chargers 35-21 in their home opener.

www.boston.com

0:42 Big Vince Interception
The legendary interception of Vince Wilfork against Chargers (2011)



1:08 Slow Motion Version
Vince Wilfork Interception (in epic slow-mo)



16:02 Highlight Video
Philip & Brady Put on Passing Clinic! (Chargers vs. Patriots 2011, Week 2)



2:09:45 Full Game
2011 Chargers @ Patriots
​

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

San Diego Chargers at New England Patriots - September 18th, 2011 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

San Diego Chargers 21 at New England Patriots 35 on September 18th, 2011 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[signbabybrady]

500 wins and 6 SBs someone should consider him for the Hall of Fame

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
1994: Kraft gets his first win as team owner
Michael Timpson has career day, Bledsoe throws for 365 yards
Patriots 31, Bengals 28​

Sunday Sept 18, 1994 at 1:00
Week 3, Game 3 at Riverfront Stadium
New England Patriots 31, Cincinnati Bengals 28
Head Coaches: Bill Parcells, David Shula
QBs: Drew Bledsoe, David Klingler
Odds: Patriots favored by 5½
Pats improve to 1-2; Bengals drop to 0-3


Ironically today is not just the anniversary of Robert Kraft's 500th game as the team owner, it is also the anniversary of his first win.
Kraft became the chairman and CEO of the Patriots when he took ownership on Jan. 21, 1994, and witnessed his first win as the team owner on September 18, 1994.

Michael Timpson was the star of the game with ten receptions for 125 yards and one touchdown. The ten catches were a career high for the wide receiver, and the 125 yards ranked as his second most.

Ben Coates had eight receptions for 108 yards, and Drew Bledsoe threw for 365 yards. The Pats converted on 10-19 third down attempts, plus 1-1 on fourth down, controlling the football for 36:09.

Bledsoe Carries Patriots : AFC: Quarterback throws for 365 yards to help make up for poor pass defense in 31-28 victory over Bengals.

It was the same story for the New England Patriots: Drew Bledsoe was brilliant, the pass defense pathetic.

www.latimes.com

It was the same story for the New England Patriots: Drew Bledsoe was brilliant, the pass defense pathetic. Only the ending was different Sunday--they won.​

Bledsoe set a club passing record and turned the game around with a perfect 34-yard touchdown pass play to Michael Timpson, sending the thrill-a-minute Patriots to a 31-28 victory over the winless Cincinnati Bengals.​

For the third consecutive week, the Patriots spent the day making big pass plays on offense to make up for big pass plays against their defense.​

“It was wild,” said Coach Bill Parcells, who prefers more of a low-scoring, grind-it-out approach. “It was like the other two have been. We were able to score pretty well and move the ball pretty well. Our defense went to sleep on a few big passes.”​

The secondary’s lapses helped Cincinnati (0-3) drive 99 yards to score in the closing minutes. But New England (1-2) recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock, averting a third consecutive letdown.​

Said Bledsoe, “That’s a game you have to win in order to start turning the season around--0-3 is not insurmountable, but it feels like it.”​

Bledsoe had his club-record fourth consecutive 300-yard game in a wide-open offense that has become decidedly un-Parcells. The second-year quarterback completed 30 of 50 passes for 365 yards, setting his receivers up for another round of big numbers.​

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Timpson and Ben Coates each surpassed 100 yards receiving for the second week in a row by making big play after big play. Bledsoe had 20 completions of at least 10 yards.​

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Bledsoe got hit hard only a few times. The Bengals remained the only NFL team without a sack partly because of their ineptitude and partly because Bledsoe didn’t give them much of a chance.​

“Those guys are doing such a great job protecting me,” said Bledsoe, who has been sacked just three times in 143 pass plays. “As long as we’re winning, let me throw every play, especially the way the offensive line is protecting me.”​

David Klingler completed 21 of 29 passes for a career-high 266 yards against the league’s worst pass defense but fumbled twice and missed a wide-open Jeff Query on a deep pass in the fourth quarter.​

“I’ve got to be able to hold onto the ball,” Klingler said. “I turned the ball over twice and gave them six points. I missed Jeff Query and we lose the ballgame. That’s my part.”​

Bledsoe saved the Patriots with his best pass of the afternoon. Timpson got behind Mike Brim down the right sideline and Bledsoe lofted the ball perfectly over Timpson’s shoulder for the 34-yard touchdown that put New England ahead to stay.​

The Patriots clinched it with Marion Butts’ one-yard touchdown run, his second of the day, making it 31-20 in the fourth quarter.​

Drew Bledsoe’s passing statistics for the first three games of the NFL season:

Team Comp Att Yds Int TD
Miami -- 32-51, 421, 2, 4
Buffalo --26-42, 380, 2, 3
Bengals - 30-50, 365, 2, 1
Total --- 88-143, 1,166, 6, 8


Week Three Official NFL Game Summary

2:08 Highlight Video
1994 Patriots at Bengals Week 3



2:28:57 Full Game
1994 Week 3 - New England at Cincinnati

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

New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals - September 18th, 1994 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

New England Patriots 31 at Cincinnati Bengals 28 on September 18th, 1994 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
1983: Tony Collins sets record with 212 yards rushing
Patriots upset Jete, 23-13​

Sunday Sept 18, 1983 at 1:00
Week 3, Game 3 at Sullivan Stadium
New England Patriots 23, New York Jets 13
Head Coaches: Ron Meyer, Joe Walton
QBs: Steve Grogan, Richard Todd
Odds: Jets favored by 6
Pats improve to 1-2; Jets drop to 1-2


Tony Collins set a franchise record with 212 yards rushing, and the Patriots got their first win of the year. Collins scored on runs of 39, 7 and 23 yards and the Patriots outrushed the Jets by a margin of 328 yards to 89. New England did not turn the ball over, and controlled the football for nearly ten more minutes than the Jets, 34:48 to 25:12.

The Pats young defense rose to the occasion, limiting 1982 NFL rushing champion Freeman McNeil to only 33 yards. LB Andre Tippett displayed his first indication of future stardom by making three key plays on a goal-line stand to help choke off a Jets rally.

JETS STUNNED BY PATRIOTS, 23-13; GIANTS ARE BEATEN (Published 1983)

www.nytimes.com

The Jets reached depths of frustration today that teams expected to make the playoffs are not supposed to experience.​

It was small wonder that they appeared stunned in their locker room after losing by 23-13 to the New England Patriots, a loss that left Coach Joe Walton barely able to speak through clenched teeth, players shaking their heads and wondering where their talent had gone, and the principal owner staring at the ground.​

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It was the second consecutive loss for the Jets in a game in which they were heavily favored. Their frustration included the following, any one of which is usually enough to sink a club:​

- An inability to attempt a field goal beyond 25 yards because Pat Leahy, their place-kicker, had hurt his back running wind sprints last week after practice.​

- An inability to halt the run, with the Patriots' Tony Collins producing a club record 212 yards and three touchdowns, and the Patriots generating the third-highest rushing total, 328 yards, by any Jet opponent.​

- An inability to run. Freeman McNeil, who entered the game as the National Football League's leading rusher, had the least efficient game of his career, gaining only 33 yards on 12 carries. ''I've never been slammed like that, so many times, in my life,'' he said.​

- An inability by the receivers to hold the ball,​

- An inability by the receivers to hold the ball, or by backs to block Patriots' defenders.​

So the Jets, preseason favorites in many polls to wind up in the Super Bowl, find themselves with a 1-2 record, the same as the previously undistinguished Patriots.​

It made Ron Meyer, their coach, proud. After the game, he wrote on his blackboard, with high, wide chalk strokes: ''14-2. We can live with that!''​

For now, though, it does not appear the Jets can live with 1-2.​

''We're not playing very well,'' Walton acknowledged. ''We're not tackling very well. We're not coming off the ball.''​

''Maybe,'' suggested Joe Klecko referring to the Patriots, ''some part of them wanted it more.''​

Klecko, the finest defensive end in football before tearing up his right kneecap here last year, was shifted to left tackle in the second quarter after Collins had rushed for almost 70 yards in the first period with Kenny Neil at the spot.​

But these changes were simply cosmetic. Jet defenders repeatedly missed tackles and Collins averaged 9.2 yards a carry relying on what the Patriots call his two-way cut.​

Essentially, the shifty Collins is given options to run after quickly assessing where the blocks of his offensive line and running-back partner, Mark van Eeghen, take the defenders.​

''We wanted to keep the Jets out of what we call the comfort zone,'' explained the Patriots' offensive coordinator, Lew Erber. ''We didn't want second-and-long.''​

​

That, of course, would have given the Jets the opportunity to rush, and even though the Sack Exchange is more a memory than a factor, the Patriots were afraid of it.​

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Marty Lyons, the defensive right tackle, knows something has happened. The Seahawks rushed the ball 57 times a week ago in a 17-10 victory over the Jets at Shea Stadium. Today, the Patriots ran 47 times, with Collins's 212-yard total breaking Jim Nance's team mark of 208 set in 1966.​

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''That tells me, people don't have respect for us any more as a rushing defense,'' said Lyons.​

But there are reasons for that. Klecko was at an unfamiliar position. An original member of the Sack Exchange, Abdul Salaam, who was noted for his run-stopping ability, remains sidelined with a rotator-cuff injury. Lyons reinjured an ankle that he fractured in the preseason and was sidelined in the second half.​

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Before he left the game, he had been a target of the Patriots' game plan: to run at him, knowing he had an injured ankle.​

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On one fourth-quarter drive, with the Jets trailing by 10 points, they didn't even attempt a 35-yard field goal that could have brought them to within a touchdown. Instead, Walton asked Richard Todd to pass in a difficult fourth-and-18 situation. The play was broken up.​

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Some of Todd's passes were dropped. Others were poorly thrown. Others were batted away. For the second straight week, he was unable to complete half his passes, hitting on 17 of 35 for a mediocre 188 yards.​

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He produced one touchdown, a 13-yarder to Wesley Walker right before the half that cut the deficit to 16-13. Dwayne Crutchfield, who gained 40 yards on 10 carries, scored the other Jet touchdown on a 1-yard run earlier in the quarter.​

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Collins's running more than offset that play. He had 5 runs of at least 20 yards, including his first score, a 39-yarder in the first period. He also scored on a 7-yard run later in the quarter to give the Patriots a 13-0 edge as John Smith missed his second extra-point attempt. In the third period, Collins scored again on a 23-yard run. He was the first back to gain 200 or more yards against the Jets since O. J. Simpson gained an even 200 against them at Shea Stadium in 1973.​

19:11 Tony Collins Highlights
1983-New England Patriots RB Tony Collins sets club rushing mark with 212 yards vs New York Jets
​

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats:

New York Jets at New England Patriots - September 18th, 1983 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

New York Jets 13 at New England Patriots 23 on September 18th, 1983 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
1977: Patriots overcome 14-0 deficit
Darryl Stingley scores twice, Pats beat Chiefs 21-17​

Sunday Sept 18, 1977 at 1:00
Week 1, Game 1 at Schaefer Stadium
New England Patriots 21, Kansas City Chiefs 17
Head Coaches: Chuck Fairbanks, Paul Wiggin
QBs: Steve Grogan, Mike Livingston
Odds: Patriots favored by 11½


As a new season began, Patriots fans were still angry over the absolute screwing they got in the playoffs the previous season against the Raiders. (Thanks for nothing, Ben Dreith). And it didn't help morale that the star offensive linemen on the left side, Leon Gray and John Hannah, were holding out in a contract dispute.

New England's offense, especially the run game, looked predictably feeble early on, as Kansas City raced to a 14-0 lead. But Steve Grogan and Grogan's Heroes got it together. The signal-caller from Kansas State finding Darryl Stingley twice for touchdowns, and it was 14-14 at the half.

FB Jess Phillips scored an 11-yard TD on a pinball run in the third quarter to give the Patriots the lead. While the Chiefs got a Jan Stenerud field goal to tighten things, the defense, led by Tim Fox and his safety blitzes, held on for the win.

Two rookies, CB Raymond Clayborn and WR Stanley Morgan, were already contributing, helping the Patriots offset the loss of their two Pro Bowl offensive linemen.

Sam Cunningham finished with 105 yards rushing and added three receptions for another 48 yards. Don Calhoun averaged 4.5 yards per carry, gaining 81 yards, and Darryl Stingley scored on a 34 yard end around. The Patriots gained 241 yards rushing, but were hurt by four turnovers and 13 penalties for 96 yards.

1:41 Highlight Video
Chiefs vs Patriots 1977 Week 1



20:37 Highlight Video
9/18/1977 Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots highlights, National Football League Week 1
At 9:21 -- Darryl Stingley end around for a TD
At 12:40 - Stingley with a touchdown catch



21:02 Highlight Video
1977 Chiefs at Patriots GOTW Week 1



21:55 Week One NFL Highlights
1977 Week 1 - This Is The NFL
At 14:28 -- Patriots vs Chiefs
​

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats:

Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots - September 18th, 1977 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Kansas City Chiefs 17 at New England Patriots 21 on September 18th, 1977 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
1966: Jim Nance rushes for 126 yards and a TD
Boston Patriots 24, Denver Broncos 10​

Sunday Sept 18, 1966 at 4:00
Week 3, Game 2 at Bears Stadium
Boston Patriots 24, Denver Broncos 10
Head Coaches: Mike Holovak, Mac Speedie
QBs: Babe Parilli, Mike McCormick
Odds: Patriots favored by 4½


Jim Nance rushed for an AFL Week 3 high 126 yards and a touchdown to lead the Patriots. Babe Parilli had an off day, but four of his completions were big chunk plays: receptions for 32 and 29 yards to Jim Colclough, 32 yards to Jim Whalen, and 19 yards to Gino Cappelletti. Gino scored ten points on the day, with three field goals and an extra point.

The accolades for this win go to the defense though. The Pats had five sacks on Denver quarterback John McCormick, and picked him off three times: one each by White Graves, **** Felt (returned 32 yards) and Ron Hall (returned 87 yards). The Patriots limited Denver to 12 first downs and 173 total net yards of offense. Nick Buoniconti was all over the place, leading the Pats in tackles.

Nance would go on to lead the AFL in rushing in 1966 by a wide margin. He ran for 1,458 yards (657 yards more than any other RB) and 11 touchdowns (nobody else had more than 7). Cappelletti led the laegue with 119 points scored, 21 more than the next closest competitor.

Nance, C Jon Morris, DE Larry Eisenhauer, DT Houston Antwine, MLB Nick Buoniconti, and K Gino Cappelletti were all chosen as 1966 AFL 1st Team All Stars.

PATRIOTS DEFEAT BRONCOS BY 24-10; Garron and Nance Score in 4th Period for Boston (Published 1966)

www.nytimes.com

Gino Cappelletti kicked three field goals and Larry Garron and Jim Nance punched over fourth-quarter touchdowns to give the Boston Patriots a 24-10 victory over the Denver Broncos today in an American Football League contest.​

34:45 1966 Yearbook
Boston Patriots 1966 Highlights- 34 min
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Box Score, Team & Individual Stats:

Boston Patriots at Denver Broncos - September 18th, 1966 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Boston Patriots 24 at Denver Broncos 10 on September 18th, 1966 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
2005: Stephen Davis rushes for three touchdowns
Carolina wins 27-17 in less than super rematch​

Sunday Sept 18, 2005 at 1:00
Week 2, Game 2 at Bank of America Stadium
Carolina Panthers 24, New England Patriots 17
Head Coaches: Bill Belichick, John Fox
QBs: Tom Brady, Jake Delhomme
Odds: Patriots favored by 3
Pats drop to 1-1; Panthers improve to 1-1


Mike Vrabel's third quarter 24-yard pick six brought the Patriots to within three, but Carolina held on for the win. On the next possession Tom Brady was sacked, and Julius Peppers returned the fumble to the New England 12 yard line. A few plays later Stephen Davis punched it in for his third touchdown of the game, and the Patriots were unable to score in any of their four 4th quarter drives.

It was an ugly game for the Pats; they managed a mere 39 yards rushing on 16 carries, turned the ball over three times, committed 12 penalties for 86 yards, and were able to convert only four of 14 third down attempts.

Brady completed passes on only half of his dropbacks, going 23-44 for 270 yards with one TD, one interception and two sacks, plus the lost fumble.

Give credit to Carolina here. They were a good team in 2005, making it to the NFC Championship Game. The Panthers were led by defensive ends Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker, MLB Dan Morgan, OLB Will Witherspoon and SS Marlon McCree. Their corners, Chris Gamble and Ken Lucas, had 13 interceptions combined. At season end their defense ranked third in the NFL in yards allowed, 5th in points, 2nd in turnovers and 3rd in red zone defense.


The good news for the Patriots was that after this loss, they would win their next 17 regular-season games against NFC opponents. As for the 2005 season, this game was a bit of a harbinger of what the rest of the year would be. There was just something missing that year.

For example, in this game the Pats’ second half possessions started with a field goal but then consisted of
- a loss of five (the strip sack that led to Carolina's TD);
- 3-and-out, loss of 5 yards (punt);
- 3-and-out, 2 yards (punt);
- 3-and-out, 4 yards (punt);
- turnover on a fumble, game over.

PRO FOOTBALL; Carolina Wins Rematch Against Not-So-Super Patriots (Published 2005)

PANTHERS 27, PATRIOTS 17 The Carolina Panthers know that a Week 2 victory over New England does not come close to rectifying their Super Bowl loss to the Patriots two seasons ago. Even so, their 27-17 victory over the Patriots on Sunday was satisfying.

www.nytimes.com

2:45 Highlight Video
Patriots vs Panthers 2005 Week 2



16:05 Highlight Video
2005-09-18 New England Patriots vs Carolina Panthers



2:13:02 Full Game
2005 Patriots @ Panthers
​

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

New England Patriots at Carolina Panthers - September 18th, 2005 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

New England Patriots 17 at Carolina Panthers 27 on September 18th, 2005 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
1988: Pats squander 14-3 halftime lead
Buffalo Bills 16, New England Patriots 14​

Sunday Sept 18, 1988 at 1:00
Week 3, Game 3 at Sullivan Stadium
Buffalo Bills 16, New England Patriots 14
Head Coaches: Raymond Berry, Marv Levy
QBs: Steve Grogan, Jim Kelly
Odds: Patriots favored by 2½
Bills improve to 3-0; Pats drop to 1-2


The Patriots missed the playoffs by one game in 1988, and this game was a good example why that happened. The Pats of this era were a team that controlled the clock with their running game, but in this game they managged only 14 first downs, and lost the time of possession by 6:22. New England turned the ball over three times and gave up three sacks, allowing Buffalo to come from behind and win it on Scott Norwood's third field goal of the game.

Steve Grogan threw touchdown passes of 41 yards to Cedric Jones and 19 yards to Stanley Morgan in the second quarter to put the Pats up by 11 at the half.


Prior to this game the Patriots had defeated Buffalo 11 straight times, going back to 1981. CB Nate Odomes registered his first career interception two plays intot the second half, setting up a Scott Norwood field goal. In the fourth quarter Jim Kelly led a 10-play, 66 yard drive that finished with a 3-yard Robb Riddick touchdown.

Trailing 14-13, Buffalo took control at midfield with 1:50 on the clock. Kelly hit on a pair of passes to Ronnie Harmon and Andre Reed, putting the Bills at the New England 31. Harmon and Riddick both rushed for four yard gains, advancing the ball to the New England 23. After Kelly spiked the ball to kill the clock with 16 seconds remaining, Norwood won the game with a 41 yard field goal.


At 3-0, it was Buffalo's best start since 1980. The Bills would win the AFC East, making it to the AFC Championship Game. In a battle of 12-4 teams, the Bengals won 21-10; two weeks later Cincinnati would lose to San Francisco in an epic Super Bowl, the 49ers winning 20-16 on Joe Montana's 10-yard TD pass to John Taylor.

1:04:51 Video
1988 - Week 3 - Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots
​

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats:

Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots - September 18th, 1988 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Buffalo Bills 16 at New England Patriots 14 on September 18th, 1988 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
1978: Joe Washington goes wild in rain soaked MNF debacle
Colts score 27 in 4th quarter, win in huge upset​

Monday Sept 18, 1978 at 9:00
Week 3, Game 3 at Schaefer Stadium
Baltimore Colts 34, New England Patriots 27
Head Coaches: Chuck Fairbanks, Ted Marchibroda
QBs: Steve Grogan, Bill Troup
Odds: Patriots favored by 17½
Pats drop to 1-2, Colts improve to 1-2


I think I still have PTSD from watching this game.

​

The Patriots were up 13-7 at halftime on an Andy Johnson one-yard rush and a 62-yard pass from Steve Grogan to Stanley Morgan. The game was played in a torrential downpour, creating an odd shine on the artificial turf from the light on tv.

Joe Washington was a good running back, named to the Pro Bowl once and having four seasons with 1,000-plus yards from scrimmage. Over the course of his career he was as much of a threat as a receiver (3,413 yards, 18 touchdowns) as he was a runner (4,839 yards, 12 TD).

In the fourth quarter the Colts took the lead on a 54-yard pass from Washington to WR Roger Carr. Baltimore expanded that lead on a 23-yard TD from journeyman Bill Troup to Washington, then Troup found Carr for a 67-yard TD to make it 27-13.

The Patriots were not done though. Grogan scored on a 4-yard keeper, then Sam Cunningham scored to tie the score at 27.

Before fans had a time to enjoy the comeback, Washington returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards to give Baltimore the winning points, 34-27.

Washington scored three touchdowns - though none were on the ground for the running back. He accounted for 261 all purpose yards: 54 on one pass for a touchdown, 53 yards rushing, 41 yards on two receptions with a TD, and 112 yards on two kickoff returns.

This was by far the best game of Joe Washington and Bill Troup's career, and one of the two best games in Roger Carr's career. All while soaked to the skin in a monsoon.


As for the Patriots, Andy Johnson rushed for 109 yards and one touchdown, and Stanley Morgan caught three passes for 125 yards and a TD.

1:38 Highlight Video
9/18/1978 Baltimore Colts at New England Patriots highlights, National Football League Week 3



9:15 Highlight Video
1978 - Week 3 - Colts at Patriots - Monday Night Memory



10:23 Joe Washington highlights
Joe Washington highlights 9-18-1978 Monday night football
​

Box Score, Team & Individual Stats:

Baltimore Colts at New England Patriots - September 18th, 1978 | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Baltimore Colts 34 at New England Patriots 27 on September 18th, 1978 - Full team and player stats and box score

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
September 18 Birthdays​

WR Darryl Stingley, RIP, 1951-2007

G/C Mike Compton, 54 (1970)

OLB Josh Uche, 26 (1998)

LB AJ Edds, 37 (1987)

WR Anthony Gonzalez, 40 (1984)