BSJ Game Report: Patriots 36, Saints 20

NEW ORLEANS — All you need to know about the game in quickie form:

THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Brady, offense got their groove back: After posting the lowest completion total in the league in the loss to the Chiefs, Tom Brady rebounded in classic style by completing 30 of 39 passes for 447 yards and three touchdowns (139.6 rating). It started early, as the Patriots scored touchdowns on their first three possessions on drives of 75, 75 and 67 yards. The Patriots finished the day with 555 yards, the most since they rolled up 610 against Pittsburgh in 2013.

Injuries are becoming a concern on offense: After losing Julian Edelman (season) and Danny Amendola (a week or two), the offense couldn’t afford many more injuries at the skill possessions. But that happened against the Saints as Rob Gronkowski (groin), Chris Hogan (leg), Rex Burkhead (ribs) and Phillip Dorsett (left leg) all exited at various points in the second half. Only Hogan returned to the game, but Gronkowski, Hogan, and Dorsett indicated they were fine after the game.

The defense got its act together thanks to youngsters: The Patriots held the Saints to 5-of-14 on third- and fourth-down conversions (35.7 percent), which kept the Saints from sustaining drives. The unit got major contributions from CB Jonathan Jones (two pass breakups in the end zone), DE Deatrich Wise (sack, tackle for a loss, five total QB hits) and LB Elandon Roberts (tied for team-high with eight total tackles). The defense allowed 283 yards through three quarters, and did it without DT Alan Branch, who played sparingly because of an apparent benching.

TURNING POINT

Saints ball at the New England 25-yard line, fourth-and-3 with 2:27 left in the second quarter with Patriots leading 27-13.

The Saints had cut the Patriots’ early lead to 20-13 before New England scored in six plays. New Orleans drove to match the score before halftime, but Sean Payton elected to go for it on fourth down instead of kicking the field goal. Defensive end Deatrich Wise beat rookie right tackle Ryan Ramczyk with a quick inside move, and hit Drew Brees as he released the ball. New Orleans had a one-on-one matchup between Ted Ginn and Eric Rowe, but Brees had to get rid of it quickly, and the pass fluttered incomplete. The Patriots answered by driving nine plays for a field goal at the gun to push the lead to 30-13 at the half.

SECOND GUESS

Don’t really have one because the Patriots answered every call, but if I had to nitpick, would have liked to see the Patriots open up the fourth quarter, leading 33-13, with a soul-sucking, impose-your-will drive featuring a running game that could use the practice. Instead, we got pass, pass, run, pass, pass to get into goal-to-go and, eventually, a field goal. The drive took 5:30.

THREE UP

QB Tom Brady: Classic Brady performance. Especially like how he used the backs early and often in the pass game. They missed those opportunities against the Chiefs. Don’t think we’ll hear any talk of him being old this week.

TE Rob Gronkowski: Before leaving with another injury, Gronkowski was again dominant with six catches for 116 yards, including a 53-yard touchdown. Don’t think we’ll hear any talk of him being finished this week.

(tie) CB Jonathan Jones, DE Deatrich Wise: Jones came on for the injured Eric Rowe and broke up possible touchdown passes to Ted Ginn and Brandon Coleman on huge plays. And Wise was a one-man pass rush when he got the opportunity.

THREE DOWN

LT Nate Solder: Gave up one sack and a ton of pressure on Brady’s blind side. A slow and concerning start to the season for the free-agent-to-be.

CB Stephon Gilmore: Appeared to give up a touchdown when he didn’t switch on a pick play, and allowed himself to be caught up in the trash on a 42-yard reception by Brandon Coleman. It’s still early, but the Patriots will need more return on their $13-million investment.

DT Alan Branch: Not sure if it was a result of just his poor play against the Chiefs in the opener, or there was some sort of discipline problem (being late or missing meetings), but he’s in the doghouse for some reason. That’s no good when you’re expected to be the leader of a young line group, and you received a two-year, $12-million extension in the offeseason.

INJURIES

DT Lawrence Guy: Injured his right arm at start of second quarter but returned to the game.
CB Eric Rowe: Injured his groin late in the third quarter and did not return.
TE Rob Gronkowski: Injured his groin in the third quarter and did not return. Said, “I’m good,” after the game.
WR Chris Hogan: Injured his thigh and did return, dismissed the injury after the game.
RB Rex Burkhead: Injured his ribs and did not return.
WR Phillip Dorsett: Sustained a left knee or ankle injury. Tried to return but did not.

TOP PLAYS

Brady and Gronkowski both ad-libbed a 53-yard touchdown.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/909468751803826176

Brady finds Rex Burkhead in a one-on-one matchup for the game’s first score.

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/909467993909870593

Deatrich Wise’s 8-yard sack to end a promising Saints opening drive of the second half as they tried to cut into the Patriots’ 30-13 lead. The sack knocked the Saints out of field-goal range.

In what turned out to be their last gasp of the game, Jonathan Jones broke up a possible 31-yard touchdown from Brandon Coleman with 5:13 left in the third quarter. Patriots answered with a field goal to make the score 33-13.

THREE TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

Patriots found their offensive identity: After fiddling around too much in the opener with deep passes and trying to spread the ball around, the Patriots basically evolved into a shotgun, spread team that looked to channel their pass offense through James White and Rob Gronkowski. Sounds like a plan, man.

Stephon Gilmore needs to step it up: When you pay a cornerback $13 million per season, you expect them to basically be a one-man wrecking crew on his side of the field against the pass and run. Gilmore has been far from that so far. It's still early, but the warning signs are there.

The Malcolm Butler Situation is starting to raise eyebrows: He didn't play well in the preseason and then had a pass interference penalty in the end zone against the Chiefs that set up a score. Against the Saints, he didn't start as the Patriots preferred to play the Saints' bigger receivers with Gilmore, Eric Rowe and three safeties. Sure, you can just point to matchups and say it's no big deal, but this guy has been the team's best corner the past two seasons and he never came off the field for nothing. Suddenly, his playing time is susceptible to matchups? How far down the road do you have to go to think the Patriots might seriously consider dealing Butler, especially with the way Jonathan Jones played (if Rowe is healthy, of course)? Not very in my opinion.