FOXBOROUGH — Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ 35-14 win over the Giants in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:
HEADLINES
Defense, special teams carry the day again: With the offense scuffling and trying to overcome a rash of injuries, special teams kicked off the scoring with a blocked punt caused by Brandon Bolden and returned for a touchdown by Chase Winovich. Later, locked in a 21-14 game in the fourth quarter, the defense finished it off when Jamie Collins sniffed out a screen and caused a fumble that was returned by Kyle Van Noy for a score. The offense put up 21 points (with some help from the defense).
Josh Gordon could be out for a while, highlights injuries: Tom Brady was sacked and stripped late in the second quarter and it was returned for a Giants touchdown. Josh Gordon tried to make the tackle but awkwardly saw his left knee/ankle bent back. He never returned to the game, but he stayed on the sideline and on the bike. Perhaps it's not that bad, but he's likely looking at missing at least 2-4 weeks.
Offense has to muddle through again: For much of the game, it was again a struggle for the Patriots' offense to do much. Already down Phillip Dorsett, the Patriots lost Gordon and TE Matt LaCosse again. That left Brady to make do, often, with James White, Julian Edelman, Ryan Izzo, Jakobi Meyers and Gunner Olszewski. They made it work enough to get through this game, but either reinforcements need to come, or Josh McDaniels has a lot of work to do.
TURNING POINT
The Collins forced fumble and Van Noy return. That basically ended the game.
Scoop & score. @KVN_03 | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/WLbkJ7Ilsk
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 11, 2019
SECOND GUESS
More on this in a bit, but Michael Bennett barely played. The Patriots traded a fifth-round pick for him and his cap number is $6.5 million. What gives?
Smells like a trade.
THREE UP
Julian Edelman: With everyone else going down, his nine catches on 13 targets and 113 yards were all huge.
Flying squirrel. @edelman11 | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/YM6CkmeYAU
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 11, 2019
Stephon Gilmore: Said this week on the radio — Gilmore may go through the motions on some 1 p.m. starts, but he's money under the lights. Giants couldn't do anything on him. Had five pass breakups officially. That's a ton.
Kyle Van Noy: Had sack and the fumble return for a touchdown. He continues to just make plays.
THREE DOWN
TE Ryan Izzo: With LaCosse out again, Izzo had to block a lot more and it again didn't go well.
OTs Marshall Newhouse/Marcus Cannon: Gave up at least two sacks and several pressures. They got worn out again.
P Jake Bailey: Didn't have a great punting night and again put a hold down with the laces pointed at the kicker on Nugent's missed field goal.
INJURIES
TE Matt LaCosse: Limped off with a knee injury (had been battling a high-ankle sprain) and was questionable to return. Did not return.
S Patrick Chung: Left with a chest injury and was questionable to return. Did not return.
WR Josh Gordon: Left with a left knee injury and did not return.
CB JC Jackson: Left with a knee injury and did return.
LB Donta Hightower: Left with a shoulder injury and did not return.
FB Jakob Johnson: Left with a shoulder injury and did not return.
TOP PLAYS
Teaming up for the takeaway.@BumpNrunGilm0re | @johnesimon51 pic.twitter.com/CJxgoeUd8k
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 11, 2019
Hulk & Thor for the score.@BB_HulkSmash | @wino pic.twitter.com/CPmebLEksk
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 11, 2019
This defense is relentless.@dharm32 | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/b505mx9rre
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 11, 2019
?????@BumpNrunGilm0re | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/fYZn2uQu3i
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 11, 2019
TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER
It's going to be a long week for the offensive staff: It's obvious that Bill Belichick is all about the defense and the offense has basically been left on their own. Maybe they get some help in a deal or two, but Josh McDaniels is going to have to figure out a way to squeeze something more out of this offense. Back to the drawing board.
I hate Thursday Night Football ... but it's not going anywhere: Fo0tball players are not designed to play games on three days rest. The attrition the Patriots endured in this game was evidence of that. It's a terrible product and the NFL has to figure something out. Maybe move to Friday night. Sorry high school football.