NEW ORLEANS — That’s more like it.
The Patriots dominated the Saints for much of the afternoon on Sunday, delivering a 36-20 win over New Orleans behind the work of Tom Brady. The quarterback was razor-sharp on the afternoon — in stark contrast to the opener, he finished 30-for-39 for 447 yards and three touchdowns.
Brady wasn’t the only offensive standout, as the Patriots got big days from Rob Gronkowski (six catches, 116 yards, one touchdown), James White (eight catches, 85 yards) and Mike Gillislee (18 carries, 69 yards, one touchdown). Meanwhile, the New England defense held the Saints to just 13 points through the first three-plus quarters, stifling Drew Brees and the high-octane New Orleans passing game most of the day.
However, things got a lot dicier for the Patriots on the injury front. Already banged up coming into the game, New England saw Gronkowski (groin), Rex Burkhead (ribs), Eric Rowe (groin) and Phillip Dorsett (unknown) all go down in the course of the game with health issues.
The Patriots were able to persevere, however, as they pushed out to a 20-3 lead after one quarter and 30-13 at halftime. Early touchdowns from Burkhead, Gronkowski and Chris Hogan set the tone, and New England added a Gillislee touchdown run and a Stephen Gostkowski field goal right before the end of the second quarter to provide a big halftime cushion. After that, the Patriots were able to coast for most of the second half on the way to their first win of the year.
Game updates from Price:
4:08 p.m.: That's it. Patriots win, 36-20.
4:03 p.m.: Loud "BRA-DY! BRA-DY!" chant here. The Patriots are going to punt it back to New Orleans with 1:11 left in the fourth.
4:01 p.m.: Two-minute warning here in New Orleans. Pats in control and driving for more here.
3:49 p.m.: No announcement in the pressbox on Dorsett, but he's stretching on the sidelines and trying to give it a go. Meanwhile, the Saints punch one in with 5:04 left in regulation to make it 36-20.
3:47 p.m.: The Patriots will gladly trade clock for points at this stage of the game.
3:41 p.m.: Gronkowski is off the bike and standing on the sidelines. Pretty clear his day is done.
3:38 p.m.: Gostkowski with a 27-yard field goal attempt. It's 36-13 with 8:49 left. A death-by-a-thousand cuts drive there for New England. The Patriots have just announced that Rex Burkhead (ribs) is questionable to return.
3:36 p.m.: Gotten a little ragged here. Multiple penalties on both sides.
3:31 p.m.: Meanwhile, the Patriots are on the cusp of punching it in again, thanks in part to a nice catch by Phillip Dorsett.
3:29 p.m.: Gronkowski is out of the tent and on the stationary bike. The team announces he is questionable to return with a groin.
3:27 p.m.: Jimmy White has really come up big again in the passing game this afternoon.
3:24 p.m.: Gronkowski is still in the tent as the third quarter comes to an end.
3:18 p.m.: Gronkowski goes to the medical tent as the field goal is good. 33-13 with 40 seconds left in the third quarter.
3:17 p.m.: Gronkowski still sitting on the bench as the field-goal unit comes onto the field.
3:16 p.m.: Gronkowski was slow to get up on that last reception. He walked to the sideline, and is getting checked out now. He's sitting on the bench.
3:10 p.m.: The Pats expertly defended that third-down pass attempt. The missed field-goal attempt is a nice back-to-back sequence for New England, as the Patriots will get the ball back here with 4:55 left in the third and a 30-13 lead.
3:09 p.m.: Jonathan Jones with another nice PBU.
3:03 p.m.: Eric Rowe has a groin injury. Questionable to return.
3:02 p.m.: Can't drop those opportunities, kid. Pats punt it away for the second time on the afternoon.
3:00 p.m.: Pats have two plays that end in picks where the officials ended up throwing flags on New Orleans. New England keeps the chains moving.
2:58 p.m.: That makes sense. Pats caught them with 12 men on the field. First down for New England.
TB12 catches the Saints with 12 men on the field. #NEvsNO pic.twitter.com/fPGtbylw0Q
— NFL (@NFL) September 17, 2017
Mr. @DrewBrees.
And @B_Cole16.
And a @Saints TOUCHDOWN! #GoSaints #NEvsNO pic.twitter.com/iykIQbmiEz
— NFL (@NFL) September 17, 2017
GET. OFF. HIM.
Oh my goodness, @robgronkowski. #GoPats #NEvsNO pic.twitter.com/dEcwEUWVC1
— NFL (@NFL) September 17, 2017
This pass was ???
TB12. Burkhead. @Patriots TOUCHDOWN! #GoPats #NEvsNO pic.twitter.com/Iw0yTdSuy3
— NFL (@NFL) September 17, 2017
As rest of Pats hit the field, they get cheers from what looks to be a late-arriving crowd. pic.twitter.com/FVvjOquREZ
— Christopher Price (@cpriceNFL) September 17, 2017
