Stud blocker Sunday night. Entertaining Picachu Tuesday morning.
Sunday night the Patriots won a game most people thought they wouldn't. While I didn't think it would be easy to accomplish, I was in the "I think they can win" camp all along. As a matter of fact, I created two lists of things they needed to in order to win. Here's a postgame look at how they did in the categories I thought were essential to coming home victorious:
3 STATISTICAL CATEGORIES THE PATRIOTS NEED TO DOMINATE and KEYS TO A PATRIOTS VICTORY IN ARIZONA
3 STATISTICAL CATEGORIES THE PATRIOTS NEED TO DOMINATE and KEYS TO A PATRIOTS VICTORY IN ARIZONA
Rushing Yards- In order to secure a victory, I thought the team would need to dominate the running game. They finished the game with 106 yards on the ground to the Cardinals 92. While this doesn't looking impressive on the surface, if we take out David Johnson's 45 yard scamper, suddenly the the Patriots have more than doubled up the Cardinals rushing total of 47 yards on the ground. The Patriots biggest run of the day? 13 yards.
Rushing Attempts- Patriots- 31 Cardinals- 19
Time of Possession- Patriots- 33:59 Cardinals-26:01
Rushing Attempts- Patriots- 31 Cardinals- 19
Time of Possession- Patriots- 33:59 Cardinals-26:01
Don't Waste Timeouts- The Patriots did a pretty good job of conserving timeouts so they could have them when needed. Belichick even got all fancy with using one before the missed field goal attempt.
Set Plays from Josh McDaniels- As an onlooker, it looked like Garoppolo and team were executing a set gameplan.
6th Sense with Receivers- A 72.7 completion percentage and no turnovers. I guess they knew what each other was thinking. In addition, there was some pretty good "improvised" completions for big gains.
Solid Blocking from Tight Ends- Great blocking from the tight ends.
Top Notch Special Teams- Gostkowski was perfect. No misses and some excellent kickoffs. With the new rule of touchbacks coming out to the 25, the Patriots have come up with a solid strategy that other teams will be sure to follow week 2. Ryan Allen did his job the few times he was called upon. Unlike Arizona, New England didn't appear to have any issues with the snap.
Amendola and Cyrus Jones were both solid and didn't get hurt or cough up the ball.
So, that list of mine? They nailed it. Mission complete.
Somehow I didn't type about how important winning the turnover battle was. Miraculously, the Patriots lost that battle 2-0 on the road and still manage a win. Wow.
Set Plays from Josh McDaniels- As an onlooker, it looked like Garoppolo and team were executing a set gameplan.
6th Sense with Receivers- A 72.7 completion percentage and no turnovers. I guess they knew what each other was thinking. In addition, there was some pretty good "improvised" completions for big gains.
Solid Blocking from Tight Ends- Great blocking from the tight ends.
Top Notch Special Teams- Gostkowski was perfect. No misses and some excellent kickoffs. With the new rule of touchbacks coming out to the 25, the Patriots have come up with a solid strategy that other teams will be sure to follow week 2. Ryan Allen did his job the few times he was called upon. Unlike Arizona, New England didn't appear to have any issues with the snap.
Amendola and Cyrus Jones were both solid and didn't get hurt or cough up the ball.
So, that list of mine? They nailed it. Mission complete.
Somehow I didn't type about how important winning the turnover battle was. Miraculously, the Patriots lost that battle 2-0 on the road and still manage a win. Wow.
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