The Patriots offense did just enough to win against the Cardinals. They excelled on the first two drives of the game and the first drive after the half. Outside of those three, things were fairly pedestrian with two fumbles and two punts on the next four drives. Then, in a mark of well-coached and well-prepared team, two field goal drives to end the game.
Those two drives went 13 and 11 plays respectively, both impressive numbers when I think most of us probably expected the Pats and Garoppolo to fade down the stretch. Garoppolo’s decision making was on point nearly the entire night and despite a couple missed opportunities, it’s hard to ask for more out of a quarterback in his first start on the road against a very good defense.
One of the advantages Garoppolo has always had is his quick release. Even if his reads are sometimes a little slow, he can consistently make up some time with the speed of his delivery, which continued to surprise defenders.
Here’s what stood out in the film review of the offense…
— First, Joe Thuney has been stationed at left guard ever since he was drafted back in April and he looked every bit the veteran starter in his first real game. Most of all I’m so impressed with Thuney’s ability to play low. He’s got loose hips and that allows him to maintain his center of gravity even when taking on defensive tackles who outweigh him. One play in particular against Calais Campbell where Thuney sunk his hips and walled off Campbell from making a play.
— Garoppolo tried to squeeze the quick out to Amendola on this third down but it was broken up and the Pats kicked their first field goal. Bennett is wide open though on the other side. Things to build on.
— I’m so curious to see how Hogan does once Brady gets back. I thought he’d be similar to LaFell at the X spot but he seems far more interchangeable with Edelman, with better lateral movement than LaFell had. He had some ups and downs in the blocking department but his effort in unquestionable. He should be a fun piece that gives the Pats more flexibility within the Brady-led offense.
— Greg Cosell had a great piece this week about how the Pats managed Garoppolo from a gameplan perspective. I think that’s what some of the “what the Pats gonna do if Garoppolo goes 4-0, trade Brady?” talking heads forget. Garoppolo has to be managed. He has to be gameplanned. When he got off of that gameplan the offense stumbled. That’s not Brady. All weapons are at Brady’s disposal, including the entire playbook. It’s a huge difference.
— James White really showed me something in this game, and what it boiled down to was just more elusiveness in traffic. His third down conversion on a carry was impressive. You never saw that play out of him last year. The Pats would never have handed off to him in that situation, but they gave him a chance to take a step forward and he delivered. Let’s hope he keeps building on it.
— This might sound like a backhanded compliment, but there’s such a huge difference for Blount from losing two yards on early down carries (ala last year) and gaining two yards on those carries. Belichick pointed it out this week and it apparent that with James Develin back, the Pats’ run game was functioning far better, even if it wasn’t always getting four yards a carry.
— On Malcolm Mitchell‘s 28-yard catch and run on third-and-seven in the third quarter, Garoppolo showed a lot of trust and anticipation throwing to the rookie. Mitchell broke his route off and cut back in perfect sync and then picked up extra yards after the catch. So great to build his confidence before he has to start playing with Mr. Picky #12.
— Blount’s touchdown run where he carried half the Cardinals defense into the end zone was maybe the game’s best offensive highlight outside of Garoppolo’s late third-down pass to Amendola with the game on the line. What a beast Blount is when he gets one-on-one with a defensive back.
— I thought Ted Karras had a fairly solid game. He’s not the most athletic guy, but fights hard through traffic to keep his block. Going to be weird seeing him wearing 75 and lining up across from Vince Wilfork next Thursday. Mason subbed in for a couple drives in the first half. He’s more athletic but looked rusty and limited by his hand club. Still so curious to see if Jonathan Cooper ever gets in there. Or Tre Jackson.
— How far does James White go if this screen didn’t get blownup by the awareness of the Cardinals #44 Markus Golden? All the way to the Cardinals 1 probably.
— Finally, the offensive play of the game.
Overall this was an impressive team offensive win. On the final drive you had huge plays delivered by Garoppolo, Amendola, White and Blount. We’re used to clutch Amendola, but it’s really nice to see other guys stepping up. When Brady, Solder, Gronk and maybe Dion Lewis are in there… woah boy, look out.
