The Patriots improved to 2-1 with a 36-20 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in an empty Gillette Stadium on Sunday. Today is a good day, more ups than downs to discuss, that’s for sure.
Ups ⬆️
Rex Burkhead
Who else could be could be the first name on the ups list? Burkhead found the endzone three times and was vital in the team’s win yesterday. In the offseason, there was discussion that he could be a candidate to leave the roster ahead of the new campaign, but after signing a new deal, he’s shown his worth once again in one of the best performances of his career.
Chase Winovich
This is the third week in a row I’ve put Winovich on my up list, and he’s made it an easy decision each time. He’s broken out as a clear contributor for the team who was again, a bright spark on a slow starting defense. His strip-sack on Derek Carr also helped give the Pats the lead for the first time in the game. He’s turning out to be a very good pick by Bill, long may it continue.
Offensive Line
The line played a huge part in the Patriots piling on 250 total rushing yards yesterday. After David Andrews was placed on IR towards the end of last week, Joe Thuney stepped up and proved how versatile a player he can be in this league. Thuney played the entire game at Center and helped the line produce a strong run effort, I really hope we keep him here long-term.
A big shout-out to rookie Michael Onwenu who came in to take Thuney’s spot at LG and did a great job. More and more positives across the line this week.
Sony Michel
Sony silenced some of his critics yesterday with a fantastic effort on the ground that included two of his longest career rushes. Michel finished with 9 carries for 117 YDS, averaging at 13.0 YDS per carry in a performance which may be overshadowed by Burkhead’s big game, but be in no doubt that Sony played a massive part in yesterday’s win. With Damien Harris eligible to return from IR this week, the Patriots are spoiled for choice right now in the backfield.
One play in-particular I’d like to point out, with around 9 minutes left in the fourth quarter, Michel had a perfect pass block which enabled Cam to make a throw. Now, the play nearly ended in an INT as the pass was broken up, but Michel’s block with have X&O fanatics gushing, go take a look, perfect pass block by the running back.
The Fumble Squad
Keeper of the hoodie database and PatsProp founder Mike Dussault talked about a fumble recovery drill the team was working on in practice this week whilst on Patriots Unfiltered.
And just like that, the team forced and recovered three fumbles in yesterday’s win. Not the collective I thought I would be praising, but Lawrence Guy, J.C. Jackson, and Deatrich Wise Jr. all recovered fumbles, the latter scooped his recovery up in the Raiders endzone for a first career TD.
Just goes to show how important the Pats coaching staff take fundamentals, and it’s paying off. Sure the mistakes were by Vegas, but the Pats made them count by recovering the ball.
Honorable Mentions- J.J. Taylor, Isaiah Zuber, Shilique Calhoun, Deatrich Wise Jr.
Downs ⬇️
Nick Folk
Folk made all of his field goals (3/3) but missed one of his extra points (3/4). He will remain on the bad list until he has a 100% week or he’s unlucky with a kick. We need consistency at the position or I fear it will cost us.
Cam Newton
I’m putting Cam on here through gritted teeth. He wasn’t great, he wasn’t terrible, but I feel he does fit on the list. He at times struggled to find open receivers, which is not necessarily his fault, but some of his passes looked a little wayward as he finished 17/28 162 YDS 1 TD, 1 INT. His forced throw leading to his interception was a poor decision.
A positive note for him was that he overtook Randall Cunningham into second place on the all-time rushing yards list for a QB. He now sits behind Michael Vick.
Stephon Gilmore
After he was awarded the NFL’s DPOTY at the end of last season, along with the salary raise given to him by the team prior to Week 1, the expectations for Gilmore have only risen.
The only real error he made was the defensive PI penalty on Nelson Agholor in the final minute of the first half, allowing the Raiders to score their first TD of the game, just a few plays later.
Wasn’t the worst performance of his career, but I just want to see the sort of performances again that won him the prestigious accolade last year.
RedZone Offense
Now it might be a little harsh here to call out this portion of the offense, but I was frustrated with a few plays that the team drove down the field on, only to end up kicking a field goal, it took me back to last year when we really struggled to get it over the line when in the RedZone.
The Offense really picked up as the game went on and did begin to find their way in, just a small bad, but important it doesn’t recur often.
Make sure you check out Jason’s game review from yesterday’s win!
