PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Mike Dussault

by

For a while there on Saturday, when New England was trailing visiting Miami 17-0 at the half, I was starting to wonder if anybody really wants the AFC’s top seed? The Patriots looked headed for a rare loss at home in December, Houston has suddenly has lost two in a row, while both Pittsburgh and Baltimore got beat handily on the West Coast in Week 15. Those are your top four contenders for the AFC’s No. 1 seed, and everybody looked headed in reverse to some degree.

But the Patriots (12-3) steadied themselves in impressive fashion and rallied to beat the Dolphins 27-24, clinching a first-round bye in the procees. With a win next week at home against Buffalo, New England’s eighth in a row to end the regular season, the Patriots would lock up the No. 1 seed and AFC homefield advantage.
New England proved again it’s a mentally tough team, unlike their chief AFC East rivals, the wilting Jets. Tom Brady started horribly against the Dolphins, at one point being 3 of 13 for 37 yards in the first half. But when the smoke cleared, Brady was 27 of 46 for 304 yards, with one touchdown pass and two rushing scores. Brady set a new single-season career high for passing yards (4,897), and Wes Welker re-emerged in a big way, with 12 catches for 138 yards, and a new franchise mark for receiving yards in a season (1,518).

I know the Patriots have been knocked out of the playoffs after losing at home in the postseason openers the past two years, but I still think New England, with its defensive liabilities, becomes the clear-cut AFC Super Bowl favorite if it gets to play twice at Gillette Stadium in January.

Matthew Stafford leads Detroit Lions into playoffs for first time since 1999 – Don Banks – SI.com

https://www.patspropaganda.com/for-a-while-there-on-saturday-when-new-england/

by

Defensive Player of the Week
New England LB Jerod Mayo. Days after signing a rich contract extension, Mayo showed the Patriots they were smart holiday shoppers. He had 13 tackles and two sacks in New England’s 27-24 win over Miami. It was his second sack that helped the Patriots clinch the game. With eight minutes left and New England nursing a 20-17 lead, Mayo sacked Matt Moore and forced a Miami punt. The Pats scored on the ensuing drive, wrapping up the win.

Aaron Rodgers the clear-cut MVP after dismantling Chicago Bears – Peter King – SI.com

https://www.patspropaganda.com/defensive-player-of-the-week-new-england-lb-jerod/

Was it a mistake for Patriots to let Brandon Tate go?

by

Was it a mistake for Patriots to let Brandon Tate go?

Tate’s stats with the Bengals are below (courtesy ESPN Boston). Given the Pats struggles on kick off returns and lack of a young receiver it’s fair to look at what Tate has done and think he could’ve helped a bit, at least in the kicking game. It’s a safe bet he’d have contributed more than Tyquan Underwood, Taylor Price and Chad Ochocinco combined.

WR Brandon Tate (Bengals)

  • Week 16: Two kickoff returns for 40 yards, and one punt return for 2 yards in a 23-16 home win over Cardinals 
  • Week 15: Four kickoff returns for 101 yards and 2 punt returns for 71 yards in 20-13 road win over Rams 
  • Week 14: Two kickoff returns for 33 yards and 1 fair catch on a punt in a 20-19 home loss to the Texans 
  • Week 13: Four kickoff returns for 103 yards and 5 punt returns for 54 yards in a 35-7 road loss to Steelers; loses a fumble on one kickoff return 
  • Week 12: Four kickoff returns for 90 yards and 2 punt returns for minus-5 yards in 23-20 home win over Browns 
  • Week 11: Four punt returns for 24 yards in 31-24 road loss to Ravens 
  • Week 10: Two kickoff returns for 56 yards and four punt returns for 43 yards in 24-17 loss to the Steelers 
  • Week 9: Three kickoff returns for 51 yards and 5 punt returns for 9 yards in a 24-17 win at Tennessee 
  • Week 8: Scores on a 56-yard punt return in a 34-12 win at Seattle; adds four kickoff returns for 113 yards 
  • Week 7: Bye 
  • Week 6: Two punt returns for 35 yards (long of 33); 2 kickoff returns for 55 yards in a 27-17 home win over Colts 
  • Week 5: Three punt returns for 43 yards; 3 kickoff returns for 76 yards 
  • Week 4: Returns 7 punts for 69 yards in 23-20 home win over the Bills; adds 3 kickoff returns for 66 yards 
  • Week 3: Returns 3 punts for 31 yards with 3 fair catches; 2 kickoff returns for 50 yards 
  • Week 2: Returns five punts for 29 yards (5.8 avg.) in a 24-22 loss at Denver; no kickoff returns as all were touchbacks 
  • Week 1: Handles punt returns and kickoff returns in 27-17 win over Browns; finishes with 1 punt return for 15 yards and 3 fair catches, and has four kickoff returns for 92 yards, with a long of 35