The Patriots' Offense is Back! *Knocks on Wood*
It turns out, Tom Brady is not a shell of his former self as many had been speculating through the teams first eight games.
Coming into this game, the New England Patriots total offense ranked 22nd with a measly 330 yards per game, 20th in TDs with a mediocre nine, and 19th in passing offense with a Brady-worst 209 yards per game. Even after Gronk's return, he and Brady could not connect on an (official) touchdown pass.
Well, this has all changed as of tonight. Brady and Gronk connected nine times for 143 yards and finally - a touchdown. In addition, in Kenbrell Thompkins absence (even though his snaps have been dissipating over the past few games) Aaron Dobson was able to have a huge game as well - five catches, 130 yards and two touchdowns. Finally, the Patriots have gotten what they thought they could out of Danny Amendola, who had four catches, 122 yards, and a touchdown.
After a controversial game plan last week by Josh McDaniels of giving Stevan Ridley only a few snaps in the first half of the Dolphins game, McDaniels swung in the opposite direction and provided Stevan Ridley with 26 carries. Ridley, in turn, rewarded his coach's shrewd play calling with 115 yards and two touchdowns.
In Brady's best statistical season ever, 2007-2008, he played the Steelers, albeit a much better Steelers team, and he threw four TDs and 399 yards. Today, Brady threw accurately, and for four TDs and 432 yards. I think age has come catching up to do on Tom Brady.
Coming into this game, the New England Patriots total offense ranked 22nd with a measly 330 yards per game, 20th in TDs with a mediocre nine, and 19th in passing offense with a Brady-worst 209 yards per game. Even after Gronk's return, he and Brady could not connect on an (official) touchdown pass.
Well, this has all changed as of tonight. Brady and Gronk connected nine times for 143 yards and finally - a touchdown. In addition, in Kenbrell Thompkins absence (even though his snaps have been dissipating over the past few games) Aaron Dobson was able to have a huge game as well - five catches, 130 yards and two touchdowns. Finally, the Patriots have gotten what they thought they could out of Danny Amendola, who had four catches, 122 yards, and a touchdown.
After a controversial game plan last week by Josh McDaniels of giving Stevan Ridley only a few snaps in the first half of the Dolphins game, McDaniels swung in the opposite direction and provided Stevan Ridley with 26 carries. Ridley, in turn, rewarded his coach's shrewd play calling with 115 yards and two touchdowns.
In Brady's best statistical season ever, 2007-2008, he played the Steelers, albeit a much better Steelers team, and he threw four TDs and 399 yards. Today, Brady threw accurately, and for four TDs and 432 yards. I think age has come catching up to do on Tom Brady.
