The 16-10 closing rating would not do the New England Patriots’ Week 1 win justice. Jerod Mayo’s group performed a near-perfect sport in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals.
There have been game-changing performs on offense, protection, and particular groups. Tight finish Hunter Henry broke up a possible Jacoby Brissett interception and the Patriots completed the drive with a discipline aim. Security Kyle Dugger compelled a fumble on the aim line to forestall a Bengals landing. Lengthy-snapper Joe Cardona compelled one other fumble on a punt return, leading to one other discipline aim. Cornerback Jonathan Jones’ clutch fourth-down cease within the third quarter led to 3 extra factors for New England.
It was a gutsy efficiency and a feel-good victory, however are these sorts of wins sustainable? NBC Sports activities Boston’s Patriots insider Tom E. Curran shared his tackle Tuesday’s Fast Slants.
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“It is inconceivable to anticipate every week that you just’re gonna make performs that instantly save factors,” Curran stated. “Like that strip by Dugger, the man’s on the doorstep and also you give you a strip like that. You may’t anticipate that. Hunter Henry having the chance to make a heady play in the long run zone and pry free an interception on one of many lone dangerous throws that Jacoby Brissett had, you possibly can’t depend on that.
“However what that does and will remind us as we transfer ahead is, dwell in slightly little bit of actuality with this Patriots staff. That is an superior win, what you probably did on the highway in opposition to an elite staff that did not play at its greatest, however an elite staff. Nevertheless it was razor skinny. So that you’re gonna must win on these margins on a weekly foundation.”
Curran is not satisfied the Patriots could make sufficient of those performs to flirt with playoff competition. Nonetheless, Sunday’s efficiency confirmed they will make this season extra fascinating than many anticipated it might be heading into the marketing campaign.
“I do not assume this staff is gonna be hustling round 8-9 or 9-8,” Curran added. “There’s gonna be numerous video games like this, although, which are gonna come right down to these margins. Can they win sufficient to get 5, six, or seven (wins)? That is the query that individuals weren’t actually saying, ‘Yeah, they will’ earlier than.
“We all know the momentum issues a lot in sports activities. And culturally, what it does is it amplifies to this staff that Jerod Mayo, Eliot Wolf, Scott Peters the offensive line coach, (offensive coordinator) Alex Van Pelt, (defensive coordinator) DeMarcus Covington, they know what they’re doing.”
The Patriots doused Mayo with Gatorade and awarded him the game ball after his first profession head-coaching win. They will look to have a good time his first victory at Gillette Stadium after they welcome the Seattle Seahawks to Foxboro subsequent Sunday.
Kickoff for the Week 2 matchup is ready for 1 p.m. ET.
You may watch the complete episode of Fast Slants with Curran and co-host Kayla Burton under or on YouTube:
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