When Christian Elliss clobbered Jaxson Dart along the sidelines, I immediately thought of the 2001 season when veteran linebacker Bryan Cox nearly broke Colts WR Jerome Pathon in half. That play, way back when, made me feel the Pats could be something that year. Turns out they would go on to win a Super Bowl (no one believed that was possible). If you are into signs, perhaps Elliss' decleatment of Dart did something similar (never mind knocking Gunner Olszewski out on the kickoff return later in the game). And if you're not, then carry on.
On to Musings...
Thumbs Up
There is only one Tom Brady, but Drake Maye played his most Brady-like game. He had the answers to the test, taking what the defense was giving him, even when it was short and quick. There were a couple of wow throws, but mostly, this was a 23-year-old quarterback in complete command, carving up the blitz, the base defense, and everything in between. Maye's the MVP right now.
One man's trash is another's treasure. Say hello to Cory Durden. The 26-year-old was charged up for a meeting with his old team, making his presence felt repeatedly in the run game. Durden stuffed Tyrone Tracy on the Giants' first offensive play and was excellent at the point of attack on a number of snaps. His pass rushing was less noticeable than in recent weeks, but the Pats lowered his snap count from a season-high 35 at Cincinnati to 24 Monday night and reaped the benefits with his physicality. "Cory Durden's been playing a lot for us, and we brought him over here from the Giants practice squad, or from the Giants," Mike Vrabel said postgame. "They let him go. And that game meant a lot to him. They told him he wasn't good enough to play for the Giants, and we thought he was good enough to play for the Patriots. So I'm happy for him. Made some plays and continues to help us, but also help himself. And I love that." Didn't see Durden in the locker room, but would love to know how many times Vrabel reminded him that the Giants didn't care to keep him. I bet you it was more than once...
Speaking of Elliss, gotta put him on the list. He also had a pass breakup on the GMen's final drive of the game. The veteran linebacker's athleticism makes for a rollercoaster ride at times - he can still get blown out of the hole - but when he's moving his legs and generating that speed, the new staff re-upping him in the spring makes sense.
I'm not going to tell you it was perfect - I counted three hurries and one QB hit - but Vederian Lowe did a solid job in less-than-favorable conditions. He moved his feet well, which helped unlock his long arms. Of course, Josh McDaniels didn't leave him on an island all game, but the variety of personnel groupings, formations, motion, and the quick passing game keep the offense moving in the right direction. Lowe won't face a rusher as good as Brian Burns when the Pats come back from the bye, so if he plays that way, this train can keep rolling down the tracks.
Shut down city from those two corners. Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis played their best game as a duo this season. Gonzalez didn't allow a catch in man coverage, and both players nearly had interceptions. Those two playing that way were part of the foundation this defense was supposed to be built on.
Hunter Henry does what he does. Damn near every week. Need him to make a big catch? He's got that. Help block Burns or Abdul Carter? Sure. Occasionally lead block, even if it's not always successful? Henry will give you an A+ effort. He is the very definition of the consummate professional, and should have gone over 100 yards receiving if not for the horsebleep call on Morgan Moses. “He’s going to do it to the best of his ability to try to help the team win,” McDaniels said last week. “And I think his only goal is for us to win at the end of the day. One of the most unselfish people I’ve ever been around. Great leader, great teammate, incredibly fortunate to have a chance to coach him.”
Feel isn't the best part of Pop Douglas' game, but he twice made himself available to Maye on the 2-minute scoring drive to end the first half. And he did so against zone, finding space and presenting his numbers to Maye. Douglas has settled into a nice role on this team, even if it's not the part he envisioned this summer. Good on him, and good for this team.
Thumbs down
Two missed tackles and an obvious personal foul get Jaylinn Hawkins on the naughty list. I like his energy and overall physicality, but this wasn't his best game.
I don't ask much of the punter. I leave that to Greg. But Bryce Baringer shanked one (it traveled 22 yards), helping set the Giants up with excellent field position. They marched into scoring territory before their kicker did something I'd never seen before. What a moment to be alive.
TreVeyon Henderson got worked in pass protection. That is all.
It could be better
Yeah, a different category than usual, but I'm feeling generous around the holidays.
The Patriots need more from Christian Barmore. I gave him a quarterback hit (he swiped at Dart's ankle on Harold Landry's sack), but otherwise, it was another nondescript game from the big man. He has exactly three QB hits over the last eight games. Yes, Barmore misses Milton Williams - they all do - but more is expected here.
Stop me if you've heard this before, but the 4-man pass rush had no juice. Most of the Pats' pressure came from blitzes. I know I haven't seen Landry have a real burst since week six in New Orleans. Maybe this week off will do wonders for whatever (ankle/knee) ails him. K'Lavon Chaisson was also relatively quiet. The best edge rusher on Monday was Anfernee Jennings, but he is what he is out there (had a good game in general).
POWER RANKINGS
After a bit of a seista, it's back.
1. Rams (9-3): Really good offense. Really good defense. Excellent head coach. A defensive coordinator (Chris Shula) who is going to get HC interviews. Bad loss to Carolina (they were 10.5 point favorites), but all the metrics love this team (and the eye backs it up).
2. Patriots (11-2): They are the best team in the AFC. Maye is the MVP as of today, and Vrabel is the coach of the year.
3. Packers (8-3-1): They are starting to feel really dangerous.
4. Seahawks (9-3): Another metric darling, but they too pass the eye test. Sam Darnold will be the X factor. He's having an excellent season, but the four interceptions against the Rams don't make you forget how last year ended in Minnesota.
5. Texans (7-5): I would pass a drug test, I promise. Their defense is elite. C.J. Stroud made some big throws in his return from the concussion and had been playing quite well in the weeks before the injury. I still hate the offensive line, but they've been playing better over the last month.
6. Broncos (10-2): Borderline elite defense as well. But I don't know that Bo Nix is an elevator, even though he/they keep winning these close games.
7. Cowboys (6-5-1): Yep, another team that's currently on the outside looking in. Dak Prescott has been a top-five QB this year. He has awesome weapons in Lamb and Pickens, and the addition of Quinnen Williams has made their defense respectable (he's been a beast since the trade).
8. 49ers (9-4): Kyle Shanahan is a wizard, at least in the regular season.
9. Eagles (8-4): They might be broken, but that roster is still stacked.
10. Bills (8-4): I'm not going to overreact to their second-half dominance in Pittsburgh. The Steelers low-key stink. But we'll talk again next week.
Sorry, I can't get behind the Bears just yet. The Colts are in a tailspin. The Chargers' OL only looks serviceable because of Herbert. If Lamar's not healthy, the Ravens aren't a threat. I'm saying no to Trevor Lawrence and therefore the Jags. The Chiefs aren't dead until, you know, they're eliminated from playoff contention.
