The Pats are coming off the disappointing loss to the Colts as they head into a huge stretch of three straight division games. First up, Buffalo. Highlighted by a nineteen-play drive to put the game away in the fourth quarter, a big start to this stretch of games by the Pats. A somewhat misleading 20-10 score, a solid, grind it out, ball control game equaled the sixth win of the Pats season.
The biggest crowd I've seen at Murphy's Pub, including Stef! WooHoo!, this season was treated to a lot of good things from the Pats today. A flashy game? No. But the days of two play drives that cover eighty yards, not going to happen this year. When you control the ball though, good things usually happen. Running game, really liked. BenJarvus Green-Ellis is really coming in to his own as a running back. Find hole - run through hole. Are you watching, Laurence Maroney? I hope you're able to recover from the shoulder injury but pay attention to what Ellis is doing, it's good for your career.
Wes Welker? What else can you say. First guy in NFL history with six or more catches in the first nine games of the season. Is he even better than last year? Yup. Matt Cassel is turning into a solid NFL starting quarterback right in front of our eyes. The early touchdown run was pure instinct, yeah I see the middle of the field so I'm running an unscheduled QB draw for the touchdown. I'm not going to hold his fumble against him, a great all around game.
Defense? Yeah! The best effort of the season in my opinion. Marshawn Lynch? Didn't do very much, D kept him in check all game long. I've ripped on Deltha O'Neal all season, not today. Came up with a pick, covered very well when the outcome was still in doubt, and I thought Buffalo's James Hardy pushed off on the garbage time touchdown. And even that was after an eighty yard plus kickoff return where Gostkowski saved a touchdown by slowing the returner down just enough so Jonathan Wilhite could catch him.
Great to see the Pats pressure pay off with a couple of sacks too. Ty Warren in particular was a beast on the D Line. Seymour had one of his better games of the season as well. The only concern, Jabar Gaffney had a bit of Maroneyitis, a.k.a as not lowering his shoulders for the extra yards. Solid, 6-3, first place tie, and not to go ESPN on you, but Thursday night is a huge game vs the Jets. Win that and the Pats will be a game up on the Jets with the tie-breaker, and at least one game over Buffalo, with the tie-breaker. After the Jets comes a trip to Miami, but first things first.
Finally, I can't say this enough, but if you're a Pats fan in the area, get out to Murphy's Pub. The mojo was definitely back today. And are we starting to see Belichick work his magic again with a patchwork secondary? Let's find out. Go Pats!
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