Teams in the coming weeks will no longer be able to think that their task of beating the Patriots will be easier, just because Tom Brady is not playing. Facing a third-and-15 to open up the fourth quarter drive after the Cardinals took their first lead, 21-20, the quarterback scrambled, set his feet and found Danny Amendola over the middle for 32 yards and a first down that kept the Patriots alive.
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Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) celebrates his first down run with teammate Larry Fitzgerald during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Glendale. But despite his costly fumble in the second half, LeGarrette Blount was a factor, lending 70 rushing yards, while James White proved to be a useful cog as a pass-catching back, with five catches for 70 yards. But a low snap by new long snapper Kameron Canaday and a hooked field goal by Catanzaro left Fitzgerald and the Cardinals dejected after their opener. He wasn’t supposed to outduel Carson Palmer, his 12-year-older counterpart, who was working with a healthy cadre of game-changing playmakers.
“Obviously (it’s) a very disappointing loss; we didn’t really play well enough in any phase from offense to defense to special teams to win this game, although we did have a chance at the end”, Arizona’s head coach said.
The win came at the most opportune time: The rest of the AFC East teams lost their openers.
“I thought I was going to take it to the house”, Johnson said. Carr threw to Michael Crabtree, who reached over Ken Crawley and made the grab.
“Well I mean, I’m really really concerned about the storyline”, Belichick deadpanned back. San Francisco backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick inspired the debate by taking a knee before preseason games to call attention to what he termed the oppression of blacks and other minorities.
“I don’t know what I’m having for dinner tonight let alone what I am doing next year”, Fitzgerald said.
Added safety Devin McCourty, “I’m happy he went out there, did it, and everyone can shut up now and watch the guy get better and grow and us keep improving as a team in the early part of the season”. The Dolphins lost their Week 1 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, 12-10. The final field goal attempt was kicked with 41 seconds left, but better clock management would have given Garoppolo about a minute if the kick had been good.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, the last time Brady threw for 75 yards on an opening drive was Week 7 of the 2014 season against the New York Jets (76 yards). Say what you will about Belichick’s preparation, roster-building, and coaching of his players.
“You wake up Monday morning angry, disappointed, embarrassed, and that’s the way we all should feel”. If only social media were as kind. “I didn’t get them ready to play”.
Chiefs 33, Chargers 27, OT: Alex Smith dove for a touchdown on the first possession of overtime, completing Kansas City’s frantic rally from a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat San Diego. It was the biggest comeback in the 56-year history of the Chiefs.
Bruce Arians, who may be the best National Football League coach not named Belichick, went the Lou Holtz route leading up to the game by heaping praise on Garoppolo and comparing him favorably to another former Eastern Illinois star who turned into an National Football League difference-maker, Tony Romo.
GAMES PEOPLE PLAY: Those who had Chargers receiver Keenan Allen on their fantasy roster might want to look at the waiver wire.
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In other injuries, Bucs defensive end Jacquies Smith was carted off the field with a right knee injury and ruled out for the rest of the game against Atlanta.
