Pick Six: Week 3

1. After throwing four interceptions for all of the 2010 regular season, QB Tom Brady threw four in one afternoon. It’s the first four interception game since 2006 vs. Indianapolis. Truth be told, two interceptions were off of deflections with the pick thrown while targeting WR Chad Ochocinco arguably was Ochocinco’s fault for not running a sharp enough route.

2. WR Wes Welker was in 2009 form. He tied a franchise record with 16 receptions and broke the yardage record with 217 yards, both career highs. Welker broke Terry Glenn’s 214 yards set in 1999 against Cleveland.

3. While Welker and TE Rob Gronkowski were busy combining for 23 receptions for 326 yards, WR Deion Branch contributed zero catches. It was a concern after the preseason when Branch had zero receptions but he erased those concerns with solid performances in the first two games. But in a game the Patriots really needed him, with TE Aaron Hernandez out, Branch was targeted just three times.

4. Another ignominious goose egg goes to the defense that came up with zero sacks of Buffalo QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. It doesn’t take an economics major to know a quarterback in a comfortable pocket will pick apart any secondary. New England is allowing a whopping 377 yards per game through the air this season. Maybe if the defense charged baggage fees it would deter opponents from passing so much.

5. CB Kyle Arrington was the only defender to do anything positive as he picked off two Fitzpatrick passes. It is Arrington’s first career two interceptions game.

6. The rules regarding helmet contact are for protecting the players, but it goes too far. There were two 15-yard penalties that looked like incidental contact: LB Rob Ninkovich’s contact with Fitzpatrick and S Jarius Byrd’s tackle of Welker. I wish commissioner Roger Goodell and executive VP of football operations Ray Anderson would make skirts part of the uniforms and make it official.