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Who gets the game ball from New England’s 31-20 loss?
in Maps Discussion Tue Nov 27, 2018 3:05 amby huangjian123 • Farseer | 342 Posts | 3420 Points
Week 2 Patriots vs Jaguars: The New England Patriots suffered their first defeat of the 2018 season earlier today: New England went on the road and was beaten 31-20 by the Jacksonville Jaguars. It was a lackluster performance by the reigning AFC champions in all three phases of the game – but one that still had at least some silver linings. Let’s take a look at three of them.QB Tom BradyDespite being under constant pressure especially early during the contest Womens Customized New England Patriots Jerseys , Brady was still able to deliver a solid performance. He was not perfect by any means, but the future Hall of Famer again was the reason why the Patriots were in the game up until almost the very end. Along the way, the 41-year old completed 24 of his 35 pass attempts for 234 yards and a pair of touchdowns – while also converting a third down at one point on a 10-yard scramble.RB Sony MichelThe numbers – 10 rushes for 34 yards and one catch for seven more – tell only half the story when it comes to Sony Michel’s NFL debut. Going against one of the league’s top defensive fronts, the 31st overall selection of this year’s draft displayed some of the traits that made him a first-round pick: he was powerful as a runner, and used all over the formation. Certainly an encouraging first step from the Patriots’ future number one running back.RB James WhiteWhile Michel’s performance was encouraging, James White’s was actually productive: the Patriots’ primary receiving back was the team’s most potent offensive playmaker today and finished with seven receptions for 73 yards and three carries for 11 yards. Serving as Tom Brady’s safety blanket and primary target in the passing game, White helped keep the passing game on track even when others failed to step up.With all that in mind, who is your choice for this week’s game ball? Matt Patricia weaved his way through a crowd to hug the man who helped him live a dream.Patricia beat mentor Bill Belichick www.patriotscheapshops.com , seemingly making all the right moves to help the Detroit Lions defeat the New England Patriots 26-10 Sunday night."I'm sure it meant a lot, his first win as a head coach," Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford said. "Probably no sweeter than to do it against your old team."We needed this one."The Lions (1-2) suddenly looked like a team with a plan on offense and defense under their first-year coach, and former New England assistant. They opened the season with a 31-point loss to the New York Jets at home and fell short in a comeback at San Francisco.Patricia was given a game ball by his players, but refused to relish in the moment."I'm just happy for the guys," he said. "They're the ones who deserve it," he said.The Patriots (1-2) have had weaknesses exposed on both sides of the ball, losing two of their first three games for the first time since 2012.And New England Patriots T-Shirt , Belichick was in no mood to reflect on his former defensive coordinator earning his first win."My job is my football team," said Belichick, who is 14-9 against former assistants. "That's what I'm worried about. That's what I'm concerned about."Patricia and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady also hugged briefly at midfield after the game and other New England players made a point of connecting with their former coach.Detroit was in control from the start, creating holes for rookie running back Kerryon Johnson and giving Matthew Stafford time to pass.Johnson had 101 yards rushing on 16 carries, becoming the first player to reach the mark for the Lions since Reggie Bush ran for 117 yards against Green Bay on Nov. 28, 2013. Detroit's 70-game stretch without a 100-yard rusher was the longest since the NFL-AFL merger."We knew we needed to run the ball and take some of the pressure off Stafford and the receivers if we wanted to win this game," Johnson said. "The offensive line was hitting holes and we were attacking. That's the most physical game they've played all year, and we were able to take advantage of it."Brady pulled the Patriots within three points on a 10-yard TD pass to James White early in the third.Detroit refused to let the five-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback get any closer.Stafford responded with a 33-yard TD pass New England Patriots Hats , capping a 10-play, 75-yard drive that took more than 6 minutes off the clock.Darius Slay picked off Brady's pass at the Detroit 15 midway through the fourth quarter, helping the Lions seal the win.While Patricia and his players downplayed how much he could help them prepare for a team he helped coach the previous 14 years, Slay said it was a factor."He knows everything about that team and he made sure we knew it as well," Slay said.THE QBSStafford was 27 of 36 for 262 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Brady was 12 of 24 for 113 yards with a touchdown and an interception.THAT'S COACHINGDetroit ran the play clock down often in the second half, seemingly choosing to shorten the game and keep Brady off the field."That was a key part of the game," Patricia said. "You certainly don't want to give the ball back to them."Fans booed at Ford Field when Patricia chose to kick a 38-yard field goal instead of going for it on fourth-and-1."Any points against a team like that is going to be a good thing," Stafford said. "We had a positive drive and you would hate to come away from it with no points."Patricia also won a challenge New England Patriots Hoodie , getting a call overturned that gave Stafford a 5-yard touchdown pass to put Detroit ahead 10-0.ALMOST A LIONNew England tight end Rob Gronkowski confirmed an ESPN report in which sources said he threatened to retire instead of being traded to Detroit in the offseason."Yeah, it happened," Gronkowski said. "Brady's my quarterback. That's all. I'm not going anywhere without Brady."INJURY REPORTPatriots: WR Josh Gordon (hamstring) was inactive, delaying his New England debut, after warming up with teammates. S Patrick Chung and DE Trey Flowers were inactive because of concussions. RB Rex Burkhead left the game in the second half with a neck injury.Lions: DE Ezekiel Ansah (shoulder) was inactive.UP NEXTPatriots: Hosts the AFC-East leading Miami Dolphins (3-0).Lions: Play at Dallas (1-2).
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