Post on 17-Aug-2015
transcript
With the New England Patriots (3-2) emphatic win against the Cincinnati
Bengals (3-1) in week five, many fans believe the Patriots have turned the
corner on a below par start to the season.
Tom Brady had a season best performance of 292 passing yards, two
TD’s, a completion percentage of 66% and a QB passer rating of 110 it
seems the Patriots 37 year old QB has silenced his critics.
In week four the Kansas City Chiefs (2-3) destroyed the Patriots in a 41-
14 victory with Brady having one of his worse games statistically in his
career. Brady had a mere 159 passing yards, one TD, an interception,
two fumbles and a QB passer rating of under 60. With stats like these
Reports of Brady being a washed up 37 year old QB with wavering skills
was worldwide news within hours. Has he lost his talent? Was it over for
Brady? Were the Patriots ready to trade Brady and move forward with
rookie QB Jimmy Garoppolo?
Take a look at Brady’s offensive weapons this season. Danny Amendola
has been non-existent this season and has found it difficult since joining
the Patriots in 2013, Brandon LaFell who has struggled to learn new
offence, gel with Brady and has had a few catching issues. Rob
Gronkowski and Julian Edelman have been quite productive and both
look to have a 900-1,000 yard season but with Gronk coming back from
surgery and Edelman not exactly a number one reciever by any means
the Patriots once great arial offence is not what it used to be.
Another issue for New England is the offensive line not being able to
keep Brady upright allowing nine sacks in the first four games. The O line
did managed to give up only one sack in the week five game against the
Bengals but the jury is still out on whether they can continue this for the
rest of the season. We can only wait and see.
On a good note both RB’s Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley have both
performed well so far this season, both look on course to have over 1000
yards from scrimmage.
Another upside to the Patriots is that their defence ranks at number four
in overall yards allowed per game (302), they also have been great at
forcing turnovers with six interceptions and six forced fumbles. If the
offence can start performing then these stats could improve by taking
some pressure off.
Brady’s stats so far are not as bad as people are thinking, Brady would
still be on course for over 3,000 passing yards and 20 TD’s this season.
Yes these stats are below what Brady has produced over recent years but
still respectable. Brady now has over 50,000 career passing yards joining
an elite group of QB’s and his career stats are worthy of being a first
ballot hall of famer.
Brady and the Patriots need LaFell & Amendola to start performing or I
think that life with the Patriots will be short lived for them.
Brady is far from finished in New England and the NFL. If he can
perform as he did in week five and his offensive weapons can up their
game, then along with a top five defence the Patriots could go a long way
into the playoffs.
There is no better QB in the playoffs than Tom Brady with 18 wins and
eight losses. In those wins Brady has three Super Bowl wins and five
conference game wins. You can never write Brady or the Patriots off and
I expect them to have a big game against AFC East rivals the Buffao Bills
(3-2) this week. Brady has only lost to the Bills twice in his career,
putting up some great numbers and with the Bills having QB issues I
think it will be a great day for Pariots this week.
Only time will tell on wether the Patriots offence can build on their week
five performance but I’m sure and head coach Bill Bellichick and
offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels will do everything in their power to
make it happen.