Weekly Patriots Report Card: Pats v Jets, 11/22/09
By: Scott Jackson, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
The Patriots made the Jets look like turkeys Sunday with a 31-14 win at home. And afterwords I heard Rex Ryan will be crying on Oprah’s show sometime soon.
Quarterbacks:
Tom Brady tied a franchise record with his fifth-straight 300-yard game. He looked comfortable in the pocket all game, even against heavy blitzes in the second half. Drove the dagger into the Jets early with three straight scores after New England jumped to a 7-0 lead courtesy of Leigh Bodden.
My Grade: A
Running Backs:
Did you know Laurence Maroney has scored six touchdowns in the last five games? He also coughed up the ball for the second game in the row. Kevin Faulk was reliable as usual in passing situations.
My Grade: C+
Receivers/Tight Ends:
If ever a wide-out were considered an MVP candidate, it would have to be Wes Welker, wouldn’t it? The Pats struggled earlier this year against without No. 83. But Sunday he caught 15 passes for 192 yards. Randy Moss was again nearly shutdown by Daryle Revis, but this time he came up with a key touchdown grab. Converted QBs Isaiah Stanback and Julian Edelman continue to show development at the receiver spot. The tight ends weren’t targets in the passing game, but did a fine job blocking.
My Grade: A-
Offensive Line:
The Jets only sacked Tom Brady twice all game, not bad for a line missing usual starters Matt Light and Steven Neal. The run blocking was alright. It would look better if someone other than Laurence Maroney were taking the bulk of the carries.
My Grade: A-
Defensive Line:
Vince Wilfork continues to be a beast on the line. Against New York he broke up several running plays in the backfield. And Ty Warren notched six tackles of his own. Overall the Pats D held Thomas Jones to just over 100 yards. Not too shabby considering the Jets have one of the league’s top ground attacks.
My Grade: B+
Linebackers:
The Jets briefly dabbled with the wildcat, but Adalius Thomas blew the first such play up, ending the experiment for New York. Tully Banta-Cain forced a fumbled and sacked Mark Sanchez twice. Jerrod Mayo, who missed the week two match between the two teams, held his own against the running attack.
My Grade: B+
Defensive Backs:
The DBs picked-off Mark Sanchez four times, including a trifecta for Leigh Bodden. Sanchez finished the day with a QB rating around 37. To paraphrase myself from an earlier column, I could step under center for one play, thrown an incompletion, and still have a better rating.
My Grade: A
Special Teams:
Easily the worst group on the field. The punt team allowed a blocked punt for a touchdown and nearly gave up another. Kickoff coverage was spotty at times. Both could’ve been issues in a closer game.
My Grade: D-
Overall Team Grade: B+
Solid performance. Monday’s game against the Saints could be a Super Bowl preview, so it’ll be fun to watch. Happy Thanksgiving.
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