The New England Patriots wrapped up the regular season with a 38-3 thumping of the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium Sunday afternoon.
The New England Patriots set out to play 60 minutes of football and that is exactly what they did by destroying the New York Jets 38-3 Sunday afternoon at Gillette Stadium.
With the win, the Patriots improved their record to 11-5 and most importantly, secured the No. 2 seed in the AFC and a first-round bye. They also became the only team this season to go undefeated at home during the regular season, which shows just how important homefield advantage is to the team.
Yes, it was just the New York Jets, but it was an impressive all-around effort for Bill Belichick’s team. Tom Brady looked just like Tom Brady again, spreading the ball around and throwing for four touchdowns.
There was even a glimpse of the old Rob Gronkowski, who looked healthier when he did get a chance to touch the ball. The running backs were also utilized in the game, including two passing touchdowns to both James White and Rex Burkhead.
And with the offense rocking and showing off their versatility, the New England Patriots defense did their part as well. Not only were they solid against the run, they kept Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold at bay and even forced a defensive touchdown with a strip sack return by Kyle Van Noy.
Was this the complete game effort Belihcick was looking for?
Close enough.
"“Yeah, it was a good team win,” Belichick said following the game. “We got contributions from every area. There’s still room for improvement, things we can do better but certainly we’re happy to win and happy to be moving on. We’ll take it.”"
In finishing the season at 11-5, here are five observations from the 38-3 thumping of the New York Jets in the regular season finale.
Hogan and Dorsett utilized
With Cordarelle Patterson and obviously without Josh Gordon, Tom Brady had to work in a couple of his other playmakers, and he did just that on Sunday afternoon.
Both Chris Hogan and Phillip Dorsett were heavily featured in the New England Patriots offense and it was a sweet thing. Both receivers saw multiple targets, and both were monumental on scoring drives.
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Hogan, who showed some frustration a week ago, hauled in six catches for 64 yards. Out of both receivers, it is important to get him going heading into the playoffs due to the past success he has had in the postseason.
As for Dorsett, he had five receptions for 34 yards and a touchdown. Any production out of him helps the team fill some of the void left by Gordon.
In all, it was good to see Tom Brady spread the ball around and get everyone involved in the offensive gameplan.
"“That’s what we’ve got to do,” Brady said following the game. “I mean, to be a good offense, everyone’s got to touch it, everyone’s got to be involved in the offense and run it, throw it, throw it to everybody – the receivers, the backs, the tight ends. Everyone blocks in our offense, and that’s what makes it tough to defend. If they’ve got to defend everything, I feel pretty good about where we’re at.”"
Sounds like a good strategy. As any New England Patriots fan knows, when the offense goes one-dimensional is when they are at their most vulnerable. Chris Hogan and Phillip Dorsett making plays will certainly help expand the multiple looks the offense can give any defense.
A little glimpse of Gronk
Another good sight to see during Sunday’s 38-3 victory over the New York Jets was how Rob Gronkowski looked on the field.
The big tight end only had two catches for 24 yards, but it is how he looked on a play that was called back that has Patriots fans giddy. On that particular play, the All-Pro tight end took a short pass from Tom Brady and ran through the Jets defense for a nice 30-yard gain. Unfortunately, it was negated due to an offensive pass interference call on fellow tight end Dwayne Allen.
Just seeing Gronkowski looking like shades of his former self was a great sight to see. It showed he is a bit healthier and is “all in” heading into the playoffs.
While the question on whether this is Rob Gronkowski’s last NFL season will linger over him until the team’s season finally comes to an end, playing his best football in the playoffs will put the New England Patriots in a good position to at least get back to the Super Bowl.
If Gronkowski is saving his best for last, we’ll take it!
Oh Van Noy!
The New England Patriots defense hasn’t been getting any love all season, but as a unit, they have been playing solidly the last few weeks and certainly ended the 2018 NFL regular season by sending a message.
By taking away the run, the Patriots’ defense forced Sam Darnold to pass the ball. Though he had a little success, the team did a great job at applying pressure. One of those quarterback hurries led to a strip sack by Adam Butler that was then scooped up and ran in for a defensive score by Kyle Van Noy.
The play not only emphasized the type of pressure the New England Patriots defense has applied all year (they don’t have the sacks to show for it), but also highlighted the solid play of Van Noy, who has had a knack at being at the right place at the right time.
The veteran linebacker also defensed a wheel route nicely in the game that showed he has a little speed.
Again, although against the Jets, the performance of the defense should give them a nice jolt going into the playoffs.
Flowers is just dominant
Speaking of the New England Patriots defense, one player opposing teams will have to game plan for is Trey Flowers.
In the last year of his rookie deal, the Arkansas product again leads the team in sacks with 7.5 and applies constant pressure on the opposing team’s quarterbacks.
In Sunday’s game, Flowers had a nice sack on Sam Darnold and also forced a fumble that led to a Patriots score on offense. Bound for a massive pay day, it is sad to say that it could’ve been his last regular -season game in a New England Patriots uniform.
There will be some team out there willing to pay him the type of money the Patriots aren’t willing to give. For a team starved for defensive playmakers, it really will be disappointing if the team isn’t able to find a way to keep a former third-round pick around. A player who really grew up in the system and did everything right.
It’s not etched in stone that he’s a goner, but it may be hard for the New England Patriots to keep him. If they do, it would be worth whatever contract they are able to get him signed with.
Brady still has it
Well, Tom Brady certainly bounced back nicely following bad game against the Buffalo Bills.
On Sunday, the 41-year-old quarterback showed that he is not injured by moving around in the pocket and leading the New England Patriots offense to four offensive touchdowns.
To go along with his four-touchdown performance, Brady posted a 133.8 quarterback rating to go along with 250 yards passing. There were some missed opportunities, but the performance showed Tom Brady can still be elite, especially in the playoffs.
All smiles following Sunday’s 38-3 victory, Brady said his New Year’s resolution is to throw less interceptions and more touchdowns. He certainly ended 2018 by doing exactly that.
Now, it’s time to build on the rhythm the passing offense established and be more consistent and balanced. Having all his weapons involved in the flow of the game will only make Tom Brady better. Despite what critics of this year’s team believe, the New England Patriots will be a dangerous team is Mr. Brady is clicking.