The Patriots took the field against Arizona short-handed, with tight end Rob Gronkowski sidelined with a hamstring issue.
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Tom Brady is suspended.
It’s all about the “next man up” according to Bill Belichick and his team is putting his mantra to full use. McCown and Coleman connected again for an 11-yard score not long afterward, though the Ravens blocked the extra point and returned it for two points.
Andy Dalton passed for 366 yards and a touchdown, but needed 31 completions to reach that total, working nearly exclusively on dump offs to running backs and tight ends while Pittsburgh clamped down on star wide receiver A.J. Green, who had just two receptions for 38 yards. While the score shows a 31-24 loss, the reality is much worse. The Patriots victory saw highs and lows for New England.
After the injury, backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett came in, and was tasked with playing game manager for the rest of the day. Patriots nation will be collectively holding their breaths as they await news on his injury.
Peterson tore the ACL in his left knee in the second-to-last game of the 2011 season.
Running back LeGarrette Blount also had a huge day. Rookie Jacoby Brissett made his National Football League debut and was 0 of 2 – both passes seemed catchable – before a Stephen Gostkowski field ended the first half.
But it seems that no matter the quarterback, it was just fine for New England.
Remember, Blount wasn’t expected to be the Patriots’ starting running back. He suffered the injury on the Titans’ second play from scrimmage.
Of course, it helps having receivers such as Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan and Danny Amendola too.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Eli Manning hit Victor Cruz on a third-down 34-yard pass to set up Josh Brown’s winning 23-yard field goal as time expired.
Lastly, the play of the offensive line should reassure Patriots fans the sky isn’t falling in Foxboro.
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New England is paying tribute to Red Sox slugger David Ortiz. The Patriots have given up four sacks through the first two games. The massive amount of momentum that the Patriots had was suddenly taken away, and the Dolphins knew that they had a chance to make the most out of that situation, and regain some of that momentum. With the next game coming on Thursday night it will be interesting to see how ready Brissett would be if he needs to start.
