Pick Six: Week 14

Due to a committment, I couldn’t watch the Patriots game live. But I do have a DVR. Though two days late, here is the weekly installment:

1. The secondary had a few familiar faces back. CB Shawn Springs played and CB Jonathan Wilhite and S James Sanders both returned to the starting lineup. On offense WR Julian Edelman and OT Sebastian Vollmer returned to action as well.

2. It’s a little embarrassing that the Patriots couldn’t force a Carolina turnover even though the Panthers are near the top in turnovers lost. It’s doubly-embarrassing that New England turned the ball over three times to the Panthers. The icing on the cake was the eight dropped passes by the offense.

3. With the criticism high about the Patriots being a first half team, New England won the second half, scoring 13 of 20 points in quarters three and four. It was the first time the Pats scored more in the second half since the season opener against Buffalo. New England came into the game with a +107 point differential in the first half, but a -3 in the second half and overtime.

4. For the first time this season, the Patriots attempted more rushes than passes in a game. The last time that happened was the 2008 season finale against the Buffalo Bills.

5. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over, thinking the result will change. I was thinking the coach(es) calling the plays was crazy after a failed fullback dive was called on fourth and inches. It was the same call that didn’t work against Miami the week before while in the red zone. Fortunately the coach(es) learned from the mistake and handed the ball to RB Laurence Maroney on fourth and one to get the game-sealing first down.

6. WR Wes Welker is the fourth receiver to catch 100 or more passes in three consecutive seasons, joining Jerry Rice, Marvin Harrison, and Herman Moore. Welker reached 100 receptions in just eleven games played, tying Harrision.

Two points: On Friday night, someone who plays the mascot Pat Patriot was arrested in Rhode Island during a prostitution sting. Robert Sormanti is one of several people who wears the outfit for the team. He shares the same last name as the Patriots cheerleaders coordinator Tracy Sormanti, but there’s no confirmation of a relation between the two. Robert has been suspended by the team. Don’t be surprised if LB Adalius Thomas accompanies Robert as suspended Patriots employees…K Stephen Gostkowski kicked his 100^th field goal, becoming the fourth Patriot to do so.