Patriots Week 5 Report Card
Pass Offense: C+
While the Patriots had a good first half showing, with Brady starting 14/19 and two touchdowns, the passing offense couldn’t do much of anything in the second half (sans a Moss 36 yard reception that was supplemented with a missed Stephen Gostkowski field goal). Brady missed several throws throughout the game. From a wide open Moss in the end zone in the first half, to not hitting Welker in stride on what could have been two big plays. Also, the Pats #1 receiver, Randy Moss, was held to just one catch in the game. One positive to the passing game was the pass protection of left tackle Matt Light, who ironically went down with a yet-to-be-determined leg injury.
Rush Offense: C-
While the Pats weren’t particularly bad on the ground (Morris 17 for 68, Maroney 5 for 21), they didn’t do anything to really make a difference in the game. If a team can’t consistently rush for over 100 yards a game and keep pressure off the quarterback’s arm and rack up the time of possession, then that team’s ground attack clearly isn’t being affective.
Pass Defense: C+
Surrendering more than 300 yards passing to Kyle Orton can never be a good thing. And down the stretch, the pass defense couldn’t keep the Broncos from scoring. The Patriots struggled to get to the quarterback, and the cornerbacks stuck strictly to man defense. Only positive is that they didn’t surrender any big plays.
Rush Defense: B-
While Knowshon Moreno did run for 88, the rush defense did a solid job overall. They came up with some key plays in short yardage situations thanks to Vince Wilfork, and the longest run the surrendered was a pedestrian 13 yards.
Special Teams: B-
Solid in kick-off and punt coverage. Chris Hanson had a solid game. Gostkowski hit a career long 53 yard field goal, but ultimately, his missed 40 yard field goal costs the Patriots the game.
Coaching: C
Something has to be done about first half adjustments, as this team can’t seem to keep it together down the stretch. Also, I didn’t really notice enough stunting and things like that defensively.
Team Grade: C
Reader Comments
Why in the world is Julian Edelman not utilized more as a 3rd receiver on the team? Although we recognize the value of Sam Aiken’s blocking ability; at the end of the day we need to move the chains. Having Edelman used 10-15 snaps a game is waste.
The same goes for Green-Ellis who has more than proven himself last season and the this pre-season to be a far superior back then Maroney.
The offense will not get better until the team has two solid running backs, Green-Ellis and Morris, as well as a solid 3rd receiver that plays all the snaps in Edelman.
Galloway is clearly on his way off of the team. I doubt he makes it past the bye week. Brandon Tate coming off of PUP will push Galloway off the team.
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