One and a half minutes into the game, a Myles Bryant bounce and bumble, following a 69 yard Steelers punt… oof!
However! The Patriots didn’t exactly start as they meant to go on.
Don’t misunderstand me here folks, it isn’t all sunshine and rainbows just yet. The offensive line, whilst much, much better, still has room for improvement, and Mac Jones still seems a little off.
Isaiah Wynn continued to be an eager beaver, and the Patriots were handed a couple of false start penalties, as well as a couple of holding ones too, not exactly great.
But let’s just sugar coat it a little shall we?
So, okay, DeVante Parker seems to be struggling a little getting going, but double coverage will do that to a guy!
Rhamondre Stevenson showed off his strength with some great blocking, Cole Strange stepped up and received credit for playing well, and we saw a few different wide receivers names on the board!
Jakobi Meyers chiselled out his place in peoples hearts a little more, as he became airborne for a terrific catch/snatch from a great throw by Mac, and Nelson Agholor had one of his more statistically productive games, as well as a glorious stiff arm with five guys attempting to pull him down, and you all know how I love those kind of plays!
Mack Wilson proves that he was worth the switch with Chase Winovich, following the interception late in the first quarter. He rolled head over heels, and was back on his feet lightening fast… exactly what you want to see!
Lawrence Guy may be a veteran, but he knows how to show up to the party, with his nu-uh immediate catch of the Steelers running back early in the second quarter.
So people cried for speed on this team, and it may be being found in all sorts-a places!
Adrian Phillips covered Pat Freiermuth like a blanket (Phillips is so lucky!), and Kyle Dugger showed solid technique, using his hands to obscure vision of the ball, even if he didn’t get his hands actually on it, this forced the Steelers to punt.
The third quarter saw some Jabrill Peppers time, boy can that guy sniff out a play! He made a beeline for Johnson and followed that by a to-the-floor-dump of the guy!
And as usual, Matthew Judon was… Matthew Judon, with his deliciousness in coverage.
Oh, and by the way! How beautiful was it when Brandon Schooler “schooled” Gunner Olszewski?! Okay to be fair, it was just a muffed punt but I don’t know about you, that’s the exact thing I had been worried about for years!
But like I said, it isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, the Patriots have plenty to work on, it wasn’t an easy win. But a win is a win, and many are saying how big a difference there is with 1-3 to 0-4. But hey, it’s still early! Right now the Patriots are 1-1 just with some stuff to work on.
Catch you next time you lovely lot! Go Pats.
