Brady, Moss Pick A Part Jets, 38-14

 

The Result

The Patriots win the season opener in a romp at the Meadowlands beating the Jets 38-14.  The Patriots are 1-0, while the Jets are 0-1.

The Patriots looked really good in beating the Jets today.  They clicked well on offense, the defense stepped up in the absence of two of their big guys and the special teams keyed by a NFL record kick off return excelled as well. 

Tom Brady to Randy Moss has a chance to be something very special.  Neither has ever had a player of the others caliber around them and today it looked so easy.  Moss at 6’5″ has a huge advantage on most DB’s in the league and you saw today all Brady has to do is throw the ball up and Moss will get it.

Scoring Plays

Patriots first quarter Brady 11 yard TD pass to Welker – kick good 7-0 Patriots

Jets second quarter Pennington 7 yard TD pass to Coles – kick good 7-7

Patriots second quarter Brady 5 yard TD pass to Watson – kick good 14-7 Patriots

Patriots third quarter Hobbs 108 yard kick off return – kick good 21-7 Patriots

Patriots third quarter Brady 51 yard TD pass to Moss – kick good 28-7 Patriots

Jets third quarter Pennington 1 yard TD pass to Coles – kick good 28-14 Patriots

Patriots fourth quarter Gostkowski 22 yard field goal -31-14 Patriots

Patriots fourth quarter Evans 1 yard run – kick good 38-14 Patriots

Offensive Player of the Game

These two were linked all day so it’s only fair to that they share in this honor.

Randy Moss 9 catches 183 yards, 1 TD and Tom Brady 22 for 28, 297 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs

Defensive Player of the Game

Patriots DL Jarvis Green 6 tackles and 2 sacks.  Very impressive along with Warren as the line stepped it up in the absence of Richard Seymour.

Turning Points of the Game

On 3rd and short in the second quarter the Patriots decide to go no huddle and quick snap the ball not allowing the Jets to make substitutions and after looking pass Tom Brady easily runs for the first down.  He then goes back-to-back to Randy Moss for a 30 yard completion and a 27 yard completion to get to the Jets 6.  This would eventually turn into points when Brady hit Ben Watson in the back of the end zone for a touchdown to give the Patriots a 14-7 lead with just a minute left to play in the half.

Ellis Hobbs returning the opening kick off of the second half for a NFL record 108 yard touchdown.

Offensive Leaders/Notes

In addition to Brady and Moss, Laurence Maroney had 20 carries for 72 yards and Sammy Morris ran the ball 11 times for 54 yards.  Wes Welker also caught 6 passes for 61 yards and a TD.

The offensive line provided incredible protection all day for Brady.  The Jets blitzed relentlessly most of the day and the O-line did a great job in picking them up.  Brady was able to look downfield the entire game because of the blitz protection.  The Patriots were 6 of 9 in 3rd down efficiency. 

They had 5 TD’s by 5 different players.

Defensive Leaders/Notes

In addition to Green, LB Mike Vrabel had 7 tackles and 2.5 sacks, DB Eugene Wilson had 8 tackles while DB Ellis Hobbs had 6 tackles. 

Patriots had 5 sacks including two big ones.  One in the second quarter and the one in the third that temporarily knocked Pennington from the game.  They didn’t seem to miss the injured Seymour or the suspended Rodney Harrision at all. 

Special Teams Leaders/Notes

A bad hold by Matt Cassel on a field goal attempt resulted in no points after the drive stalled at the Jets 25.  The Jets would capitalize by scoring on a 66 yard drive to tie the score at 7-7.  Cassel was replaced as the holder on the 4th quarter field goal.  

Ellis Hobbs returns the opening kick off of the second half a NFL record 108 yards for a touchdown.  Jets David Bowen had his hands on him at the Patriots 20 but didn’t bring him down and after that he was gone.  He had 3 returns for 156 yards. 

Coaching Decisions

Patriots used all three first half timeouts in the first quarter.  Brady called one because the play clock was about to expire, the defense called one to get a coverage package on the field and the bench called one to force the Jets to punt into the wind prior to the end of the first quarter.  This hurt them in the second quarter they ended up with a penalty for encroachment on a play when they tried to call time out and they could have used a time out on the Jets first TD.

Injuries

Jets QB Chad Pennington was injured on a third quarter sack by Jarvis Green resulting in Kellen Clemens replacing him.  Jets fans applauded the change.  He would return on the next Jets possession.  He would be replaced again by Clemens late in the fourth quarter with the game out of hand.

Patriots RB Sammy Morris twisted his ankle in the fourth quarter.  He did not return.

The Referees

The Patriots were called for an illegal touch penalty on a punt.  The ball was downed by the Pats on the Jets 2.  The penalty resulted in  a touchback and the ball being move to the Jets 20 for an 18 yard difference.  There was absolutely no explanation by the CBS crew about the penalty or why it was a penalty.

Game Notes

The Jets wore their road white jersey with the white pants today.  It’s the first time I can recall them doing this at home at least against New England.  In case you are unaware the home team in the NFL has the choice of which jersey they want to wear.

Thomas Jones started at running back for the Jets and was held to 42 yards on 14 carries.  The Patriots started Randy Moss at wide receiver while Asante Samuel did not start on defense after missing most of training camp.  Samuel did play and registered 2 tackles.

The Brady TD pass to Moss was his 150TD throw of his career.

The 183 yards by Moss were the third highest receiving total of his career.

The Patriots captains are not wearing the captain patch that is approved by the league.  The only other team I know of not wearing the captains patch is Oakland.  I for one hate that captains patch.

Post Game Press Conferences

Head Coach Bill Belichick, quarterback Tom Brady and defensive back/kick returner Ellis Hobbs.

Press conferences are via Patriots.com

Things To Work On For Next Week

Penalties and to get better at making defensive substitutions.  They had 4 penalties for 16 yards and a few times they looked confused as to who should be on the field and this is what will lead to those 12-men in the huddle or too many men on the field penalties.

Next Week’s Opponent 

The Patriots have their home opener against defending AFC West champion San Diego.  Kick off at Gillette Stadium is 8:15 p.m.  The game will be televised nationally by NBC as the Sunday Night Football game.

Rest of the AFC East Results 

Denver edges Buffalo, 15-14

Washington beats Miami, 16-13 in OT

Other AFC Games of Note

San Diego comes back on Chicago, 14-3

Indianapolis routs New Orleans, 41-10 (Thursday Night)