Patriots Offensive Line Buoys 30 Point Performance

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/ Getty Images

So, how does an offense missing it's best wide receiver, tight end and running back go into a hostile environment in a prime time game and put up 30 points in a big win? The offensive line balls out, that's how.

Aqib Talib and Kenbrell Thompkins might have dominated the headlines, but no unit on the team was more instrumental to the win than the hogs up front. With the Pats still working with an extremely inexperienced core of receivers, establishing the run was going to be key for the offense Sunday.

The Patriots did just that. The offensive line bullied the smaller Falcon's defense throughout the first half, allowing the team to run 14 times for 65 yards (a healthy 4.6 yards per carry).

The Patriots second drive was particularly dominant. After starting things off with a 24 yard screen to Stevan Ridley, the Pats handed off 10 straight times, marching 50 yards right through the middle of the Falcons defense. Ridley, Brandon Bolden and LeGarrette Blount all did damage on the drive, which was capped by Tom Brady's 1 yard touchdown pass to Maine man Matthew Mulligan.

Bill Belichick talks a lot about complimentary football, and the performance of the run game in the first half wound up setting the table for a downfield, play-action based passing attack in the second half. The Patriots offensive line, bolstered by the unexpected availability of Sebastien Vollmer, proved to be just as adept pass blocking as they were in the running game. Brady was not sacked all night and had enough time to allow passing plays to develop downfield, with completions of 34, 26, 44 and 24 yards in the second half serving as evidence.

Profootballfocus.com singled out Nate Solder in particular for his performance, as the left tackle earned a +6.3 grade (which is insanely good for a tackle) and a spot on their "Team of Week 4."

"It was going to take something to best what we saw on Thursday Night Football but Solder delivered with a near flawless display. Perfect in pass protection he was exceptional in the run game to get the nod."

With a trip to Cincinnati next on the schedule, it will be imperative that Solder and Co continue to build on that momentum. Cincinnati secondary is battling some injuries (the artist formerly known as Pacman Jones got absolutely torched last week by Josh Gordon and the Browns), but they also boast the kind of defensive line that can wreck a gameplan. The line's ability to handle monsters like Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap will have a huge impact on whether the Pats can improve to 5-0 next Sunday.