The New England Patriots, as you might have heard, are missing just about all their skill-position players except for Tom Brady and have lost two straight games as a result.
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“Anybody who said our confidence was low was probably outside our building”, safety Malcolm Jenkins said after his 99-yard interception return was a key to the win. The Redskins are 5-6 entering Monday night’s game against Dallas (3-8).
This week the Eagles host the Buffalo Bills and Rex Ryan’s aggressive front seven.
Here are a few brief thoughts on this week’s Patriots vs. Texans matchup as we turn the page on New England’s horrendous loss to the Eagles. The Patriots? They’ll win the AFC East, but losing twice in a row might cost them that crucial home field advantage.
After being acquired from the St. Louis Rams this past offseason, Sam Bradford got off to a awful start. However they are a measly 22nd in scoring, and when you play the Patriots, even this injury depleted version, you have to score points to win.
Although the Patriots did give up their share of rushing yards in the loss-Eagles running back Darren Sproles had 66 of Philadelphia’s 128 yards on the ground-Belichick’s defenders allowed a mere 248 total yards of offense on the afternoon.
Kelly was non-committal on how he’ll use his running backs over the final four weeks of the season. Rowe replaced Nolan Carroll after the cornerback sustained a season-ending injury; the rookie allowed two touchdowns in the 14 snaps he covered Johnson. “But I think we just have to get (the ball) to the skill guys who can ultimately get the ball in the end zone”. Brady, clearly having communication trouble with the ever-changing cast of receivers, finished 29 of 56 for 312 yards and two interceptions. New England’s defense leads the league with an average of four sacks per road game. You can’t throw it where they have an opportunity to catch it, so that was another bad mental error. Nineteen of those 24 yards came on one run.
The offensive line play has been another topic for concern for the team and they have been struggling to stay healthy all season long. His personnel are finally showing that they fit into what he wants them to do. If the Cowboys beat Washington, the Eagles would win the division by winning out. It was their first victory over the Patriots in five games, including a Super Bowl, since December 19, 1999.
Brock Osweiler managed himself another game in the absence of Peyton Manning and helped awaken Demaryius Thomas (6 catches, 61 yards, 1 TD). The thing is they might have forgot that the Eagles have had their own demons to face because of their back to back humiliating losses and they were not trying to lose a third straight game.
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Less than a week ago, the Patriots were chasing an undefeated season.
