It was a lot more enjoyable this week finding three plays to GIF that defined the victory over the Bengals. Of course I could’ve just chosen horrible penalty calls but we’ll stick with plays the Patriots actually made.
We start with the first play of the game, a 20-yard play action completion to Brandon LaFell. For all the criticism the Pats took last week for trying to pass right out of the gate, this play set the tone for the entire game and gave the Pats their first non-three-and-out first possession this season.
There were quite a few defensive plays to choose from, especially on third down where the Bengals didn’t convert one all day. Here is a key third down stop on the Bengals first possession of the second half. A touchdown drive here might’ve made a game out of it, but the Pats went aggressive with press man and no one could get open. Just watch Arrington attack the receiver at the top of the screen. That disrupts the whole timing of the play. Beautiful work on defense.
Finally we go with the Gronk’s 17-yard touchdown catch where he looke like the Gronk of old, even as the safety dove at his knees, Gronk didn’t even flinch. Each week Gronk is getting closer to his old self and this play is a reminder what a weapon he is.
Previous Three GIFs:
