Even though the New England Patriots suffered a brutal loss they got some great performances from all over the field.
It’s really hard to be positive after a loss. When you lose in the fashion that the New England Patriots did in Week 14 it is nearly impossible.
Everything wasn’t all bad on Sunday. The main reason Patriots fans are so stunned was because of how great they had played.
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They deserved to win the game, but one play changed all of that. Sunday showed how cruel a game football can be.
The Patriots played a great game but messed up when it mattered the most. They need to bounce back from this game quickly.
New England has struggled in the postseason when they don’t have a first round bye. In the seasons the Patriots have won the Super Bowl they have always been the No. 1 seed.
If the Patriots end up with the 3rd seed in the AFC I don’t know how confident I am in their ability to go all the way.
In the playoffs, the Patriots struggle to win on the road. If they have to travel I don’t think we will see them in the Super Bowl this season.
In the Bill Belichick/Tom Brady era, the team is 3-3 in postseason road games.
But for now, let’s just focus on the positives. The glass is always half full.
Let’s take a look at 5 players who had great games in Week 14 even though the New England Patriots were unable to walk away with the win.
1. Tom Brady
Tom Brady may have made a mistake or two, but the quarterback had a great game in Week 14. Brady looked like the quarterback we know and love. He was making amazing throws and racking up passing yards.
Brady ended the day with 358 yards and 3 touchdowns.
The best pass of the day for Brady came in the 2nd quarter. He threw a 37-yard rifle to Cordarrelle Patterson. It was one of the best balls I have seen Brady throw in a while.
Patriots fans are an extremely lucky bunch. We have witnessed one of the greatest runs in NFL history and we get to watch the best quarterback to ever play the game work his magic.
Even at 41 years old, Tom Brady is still lighting up NFL defenses. No one has been as dominant as Brady and no one ever will be.
Hopefully, Brady will lift up the Lombardi Trophy again at the end of this season.
2. Rob Gronkowski
A lot of people may be mad at Rob Gronkowski for his performance on the final play of the game, but Gronk had one of his best games of the season.
This has definitely been a long season for Gronkowski. He has struggled to stay healthy and seems to be aging at a rapid rate. Still, it appears that Gronk still has a little juice left.
In Week 14 Gronkowski had 8 catches for 107 yards and a touchdown. Now that is what we like to see from the big man. This was his first 100-yard game since Week 1.
Hopefully, this will get Gronkowski going. If the Patriots want to be succesful in the playoffs and the Super Bowl they are going to need Gronk to be on top of his game.
The end is near for Gronkowski and I for one want him to leave the game with a few more championships under his belt.
3. Julian Edelman
Julian Edelman had to deal with the disadvantage of starting the season 4 games late but he has been racking up catches since he has returned. Edelman continued to do that in Week 14.
On Sunday Edelman was the Patriots reception leader with 9 and also had 86 yards and a touchdown.
Edelman does his damage when he is racking up catches. If Tom Brady can find Edelman early and often you know it is going to be a long day.
Whenever the Patriots need a first down, New England can trust Edelman to get it, even if it means he has to fight for yards after the catch. The little guy has the heart of a lion. If you think something is impossible, Edelman will prove why it isn’t.
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If Julian Edelman is racking up catches the New England Patriots will be in a good spot to win a Lombardi Trophy this season.
4.Trey Flowers
Trey Flowers has been a beast for the New England Patriots this season. He has been New England’s defensive MVP.
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Flowers was causing chaos all afternoon in Week 14. Once again he continued to be the driving force of the Patriots defense. He had 4 tackles which included 2 sacks, and 2 tackles for loss.
The Patriots would be in a real rough spot if Flowers wasn’t on their team. He is a one-man wrecking crew. It doesn’t matter how poor the defensive line is doing, Flowers can create a pass rush all by himself.
That’s why it should be the Patriots No.1 priority to sign Flowers in the offseason. He dominates offensive lines.
It looks like Flowers will reach a new career high in sacks and tackles for loss. He is already at 6.5 sacks and 8 tackles for loss. He just needs one more sack and one more tackle for loss to reach a new career high.
If the Patriots don’t re-sign Trey Flowers it would be one of the stupidest decisions the team has made.
5. Josh Gordon
Josh Gordon has definitely made a flash with the New England Patriots this season. He has quickly become one of the Patriots top receivers.
Everyone knew that the talent was there, but Gordon has struggled to stay on the field. It seems that the Patriots and Gordon have found a solution to his off the field problems.
You have to be happy for Gordon. It would have been a waste of talent if he continued down the path he was on. I think everyone is glad to see that is healthy and in a much better mind state in New England.
Gordon had 5 catches for 96 yards in Week 14. “Flash” may go down as the best trade that was made this season. It will be interesting to see what Gordon can do in the postseason. If he can be a presence he could be the x-factor for New England’s offense.
Hopefully, these players will continue to play well and the Patriots will get the W in Week 15.