When a game in played in just over two and a half hours, there’s really not much to say:
1. After struggling on offense, the Pats exploded with 35 points. It was the most points in a game since the win over Tampa Bay in week seven. The 28 first half points was more than New England scored in a game the previous four weeks.
2. With TE Chris Baker catching a pass during the opening drive, it foreshadowed his first touchdown since week three against Atlanta.
3. As well as RB Laurence Maroney has improved after the bye week, there’s a serious problem. He fumbled for the fourth time this year, the second fumble inside the five yard line. After the fumble, Maroney didn’t get another carry. Those carries went to Sammy Morris, who almost became the third running back to run for 100 yards this year with 95 on Sunday.
4. The tide turned on two consecutive defensive plays. S Brandon Merriweather made a great stop on third down, showing he learned from last week’s blown tackle. S James Sanders then made the stop on RB Maurice Jones-Drew on fourth down. The offense scored after the turnover on downs.
5. Two new high water marks. WR Wes Welker broke the team record for receptions in a season when he caught his 113th pass. Welker has 122 receptions in 13 games with the season finale still left to play. And Merriweather got his career high fifth interception this year. Merriweather almost had his second interception return for a touchdown if only OLB Adalius Thomas was able to block Jaguars QB David Garrard.
6. For a team that has a problem closing out games, New England does a great job closing out the first half. The offense has 10 scores when there is two minutes or less left in a half.
Two Points: The win clinched the Patriots seventh AFC East title in nine years...CB Shawn Springs had his first interception as a Patriot. It was his 33rd career pick.
Questions? Comments? Send to talktome@randolphc.com
