Pats' offense receives new sparks

Brandon Lloyd is wearing the same No. 85 as Chad Ochocinco wore last season for the New England Patriots. Lloyd looked like the No. 85 of 2011 when he and Tom Brady couldn't connect for a sure touchdown in the first quarter. But Lloyd recovered in his Pats' debut, and along with Stevan Ridley, were the two biggest contributors outside the Brady-Gronk-Hernandez triumvirate in New England's 34-13 win at the Tennessee Titans.

In Josh McDaniels' return to the Patriots as offensive coordinator, New England looked a little different from last year. The Pats ran the ball efficiently, and with Lloyd picking up the slack at wide receiver, the offense was clicking in all facets. Ridley had the best game of his career, running for 125 yards and a touchdown. Lloyd had five receptions for 69 yards. After the cuts of Deion Branch, Jabar Gaffney and Donte Stallworth some fans wondered how the receiving corps would contribute. McDaniels and Brady showed that the passing game is more than Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.


Although Gronkowski and Hernandez caught the only two scores from Brady, Ridley and Lloyd will add wrinkles to the Arizona Cardinals' game plan heading into next week. Ridley carried the ball 21 times, and averaged six yards a rush. Lloyd was targeted eight times and led the team in receiving yards. Teams will not only have to worry about Wes Welker, Gronk and Hernandez, but also Lloyd and the resurgence of the Patriot's ground game.

New England can still bring back Branch or Gaffney. The Pats may even add a different receiver to the team. But with Lloyd getting open, along with Ridley keeping the defense honest, the McDaniels-led offense has not skipped a beat.

More good news: the Patriot defense didn't look too shabby either.