Early turnovers help Patriots to 27-10 win over Washington

“That’s what it takes to beat the defending Super Bowl champs that are still undefeated”. So, it doesn’t matter that the Patriots are playing the 3-4 Redskins on Sunday, the game will be played like any other game this year.

After receiving the opeing kickoff, the Patriots offense went on a 13 play, 84 yad drive that ended with a Tom Brady eight yard touchdown pass to Julian Edelman.

OK, the league’s No. 1-rated offense scored on its opening possession. He has the most touches of the team so far this year, proving to be the kind of all-purpose running back that coach Bill Belichick loves so much.

New England is coming off of a 36-7 win over the Dolphins while the Redskins are coming off a bye week.

New England’s defense continues to quietly dominate.

“We respect him, but we ain’t got to not come after you”, he said. AFP Graphic Design Whether you need a fresh business card design, rack card, ad, flyer or full magazine design, we can help with all your graphic-design needs. While the Patriots did get the victory, they paid a serious price. But Brady found his favorite target, tight end Rob Gronkowski, for 12 yards and the first down.

“Guys that have played in this league long enough, there isn’t a coverage or a front or a stunt or a pressure that they really haven’t seen”, he said. “The thing that stands out to me about them is they’re not necessarily these robots that are unbeatable, they just do the little things well all the time. They’re consistent and they execute the game plan and that’s exactly what they did today”. After cornerback Will Blackmon recovered Edelman’s fumble, Kirk Cousins threw a pass to receiver Pierre Garcon. He went to the ground without any contact with a left knee injury.

“Yeah, more than we’re used to having”, Cousins said after the game, when asked about the drops. You’ve got to give them credit for that. That will come into play this week against a sneakily good Patriots’ defense and he will throw at least three interceptions if not more. Andre Roberts also had a nice 18-yard catch. Starting safety T.J. McDonald is also inactive for the first time this season with a foot injury.

LeGarrett Blount ran for over 100 yards, an indicator that the line did their job and put their backs in position to gain yards.

In the meantime, Patriots running back Brandon Bolden will likely fill the void left by Lewis, who now leads the team in touches.

The Patriots (7-0) have won the last two meetings, including a 52-7 home win over Washington on October 28, 2007 to get to 8-0. Washington Redskins recorded 241.3 passing yards and 99.0 rushing yards while allowed 232.0 passing yards and 128.4 russhing yards with turnover differential of 0.3.

It’s an issue that the Redskins know needs fixed immediately.

The Patriots, however, didn’t abandon the run as they did the previous week against the New York Jets, almost tripling their rushing attempts from nine to 26.

The victor of the toss must then decide whether the team will take the ball or kick off to their opponent to start the game, and whether they want that choice deferred to the second-half. “Blount and Lewis were working”. But they are still without offensive tackle Marcus Cannon and guard Tre’ Jackson.

Fitzpatrick completed 21 of 34 passes for 272 yards, while Chris Ivory ran for a brace of touchdowns, in an error-strewn game.

A big point to remember: Jackson missed the entire preseason. Their next opportunity is next Sunday against the Saints.

Redskins head coach Jay Gruden knows his team has its work cut out for it today in Foxboro. Besides Pettine and his coaching staff, look for team owner Jimmy Haslam also to part ways with General Manager Ray Farmer and revamp the player-personnel department. Giving Morris a carry here and there is not going to get him in any groove. “You have to stay ready”.