5 Reasons to be Encouraged After Patriots Loss
The Patriots unfortunately lost in Seattle last night 35-30. Before the game started, we were thrown a curveball with the sudden absence of James White. Our thoughts and prayers are with White and his family. I knew that missed field goal would come to haunt me. Hitting that 51 yarder would have made it a 2 point game at the end, a chip shot would have sealed the deal. Playcalling was once again an issue that I noticed. I’m not sure why McDaniels likes to cause heart attacks and runs up the middle on 3rd and long. If your takeaways from this Week 2 loss are all negative, look deeper into the game as a whole.
Though the loss hurts, there were a lot of things that should have raised your confidence level with the team. Chase Winovich threw a grown man 3 yards with ease. Devin McCourty had his second touchdown of his career after intercepting Russell Wilson. Cam Newton’s chemistry with the offense has grown immensely. N’Keal Harry made the haters shut up for the week. Edelman set a career-high with 179 receiving yards.
Chase Winovich
This play had my jaw on the floor. It’s hard to throw a grown man like a rag doll, but Wino did just that. I’m not sure if he’s that strong from working out or because he loves his milk. Either way, strong play from the defensive end.
Pure violence from Chase Winovich. pic.twitter.com/UwoOEOVX4E
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) September 21, 2020
Devin McCourty
His first interception of the season came in Seattle from one of the best QB’s currently playing. To top it off with 6 in the end zone was the epitome of lovely for the McCourty Twins Fan Club™. McCourty ended his pick-six run with a shoutout to James White saying, “Two eight! We love you, bro.” To say that made me emotional would be an understatement. All that being said, I still stand by my statement that tipped interceptions should not go against quarterback stats.
Devin McCourty to the house for a PICK-6! #GoPats @McCourtyTwins
📺: #NEvsSEA on NBC
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/D3Z0XewhrI pic.twitter.com/s3rJXCaGY3— NFL (@NFL) September 21, 2020
Cam Newton
Newton looked like he was more confident in the pocket, even outside. He was making key throws on third down extending numerous drives. He was 30 of 44 for 397 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT while also rushing for 47 yards and 2 touchdowns. Newton’s connections with Byrd, Edelman, and Harry were put front and center last night. In a few more weeks that combo could be lethal on the gridiron.
N’Keal Harry
Harry got absolutely blasted in the first half. Not quite sure how that didn’t get the attention of the concussion spotters, especially as Quandre Diggs was ejected from the game for the hit. Harry also showed his strength. He didn’t quit on plays, turned a couple in the second half into positive yards. Those plays were surely lost yardage but Harry found a way.
#Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs has been ejected for this helmet-to-helmet hit on N'Keal Harry. pic.twitter.com/FsjCP7vNDR
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) September 21, 2020
Julian Edelman
Edelman still suffered from a minor case of the dropsies but he appeared to have tweaked his neck early in the game. Yet, he still was able to set a career-high in receiving yards, 179 yards on 8 catches. Averaging 22 yards per reception. Edelman made a few grabs that were impeccable. He came up big on third down, especially later in the game.
CAM TO EDELMAN FOR 49 YARDS! #GoPats
📺: #NEvsSEA on NBC
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/D3Z0XewhrI pic.twitter.com/6pmI1XdnUV— NFL (@NFL) September 21, 2020
My Thoughts
I think this game was exciting to watch until the last second. When you thought you could count the Patriots out, they found a way to make a big stop and drive down the field. The team’s chemistry was tested early with the sudden loss of James White. They showed everyone that they are a family inside the locker room. This game, while a loss, was far from discouraging. To say I’m nervous about the Week 4 showdown in KC is an understatement but as we learned last night, this team is special. The offense is healthy as can be and trusts each other. The defense definitely needs to tighten up before next week, overall they weren’t as horrible as Twitter would have made you think.
-Jess Donahue (@jldx392)
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