PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

The New England Patriots, New York Giants hid their flaws by winning in NFL Week 16. – NFL News | FOX Sports on MSN

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The New England Patriots, New York Giants hid their flaws by winning in NFL Week 16. – NFL News | FOX Sports on MSN

Once again, the New England Patriots’ defense showed that it is the Achilles’ heel of this team. Going into the game Saturday, there were two players they needed to stop — Brandon Marshall and Reggie Bush. Both were impact players for the Miami Dolphins, as Marshall had two explosive plays in the first quarter and Bush accounted for 139 yards from scrimmage. TAKE THAT Lions clinch playoff berth. Giants stomp Jets. Niners top Seahawks. Week 16 review. The Dolphins jumped out to 17-0 lead at halftime. But, as good teams do, the Patriots made the necessary halftime adjustments. In the third and fourth quarters, the Pats came out in a no-huddle, up-tempo offense that completely wore down the Dolphins’ defense and put up 27 consecutive points. With Tom Brady behind center, that no-huddle offense could be lethal in the playoffs. The Patriots just need to be aware the additional strain that will put on their defense if they go three-and-out in a no-huddle format, because the defense gets no rest and has no time to make adjustments.

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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/

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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?

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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