It was an all-around impressive performance. It's games like the 34-13 victory against Tennessee that make it easier to survive the long haul of the season. You don't want to have to expend every ounce of energy against teams that aren't in your league. You want the last 10 minutes of those games to feature lots of sideline shots of Brady, Wes, Vince, and Gronk laughing and getting ready for the post-game feast.
Each week, at mid-week, I'll highlight the good and the bad of each Pats game (including the tailgate menu for home games). There will be a lot more good than bad. A lot more.
GOOD
- Brandon Lloyd restored dignity to the number 85. After Brady missed a wide open Lloyd on what would have and should have been a great touchdown bomb in the first quarter, me and my nephew Pete were yelling for the trainer to get him a new jersey with a number that has never been worn by Ocho. But we calmed down after Brady and Lloyd connected for a nice 27-yard play early in the second quarter. Lloyd finished with five catches, one of the outstanding variety, for 69 yards. He wasn't the star of the offense -- that honor goes to the two-headed tight end again -- but he already has half as many catches as the last guy to wear #85 and should get better and better as he and Brady build chemistry.
- Stevan Ridley did a pretty good impersonation of BenJarvus. Especially in the "no fumbles" department. Like Bennie, he often turned what looked like a loss or no gain into two or three yards. Those are key yards for an offense. And like Bennie, he bulled his way into the end zone when called upon. Ridley won't get 20-plus carries every week (although I wish he would), but he showed that when he does he can do something with those carries.
- Just as it's important to be able to run the ball, it's equally important to be able to stop the run. And stop the run the Pats did. Titans quarterback Jake Locker lead the team in rushing with 11 yards. Chris Johnson, who is healthy and will probably shred many defenses this year, could only gain four yards all game. Four. It didn't seem like he had that many. Big Vince and his not-so-little buddy Kyle Love were two immovable objects and Ninko and rookie Chander Jones were moving everywhere. The Globe's Greg Bedard goes into great detail about the D line's performance as only he can do. (Does he not have a life?)
- The offensive line looked much better than at any time during the ugly preseason. Logan Mankins looks healthy. A Pro Bowl year out of him changes everything. The line did a solid job in pass protection -- Brady was only sacked once and was pretty comfortable most of the time -- and was even better in the running game.
- The youth movement on defense may have entered its final stage. It looks like the transition from the Bruschi-Rodney-Willie-Vrable defense is just about complete. Big Vince is the torch bearer from the past to the present, but he now has a young, talented, fast, and nasty group to pass that torch too. Jones and D'onta Hightower look ready to play key roles. With Mayo, Spikes, Chung, Tavon Wilson, Arrington, McCourty, Cunningham, and Deaderick, the Pats D is looking very deep. The addition of veteran Steve Gregory gives the Pats two solid safeties.
BAD
- Brady got his nose smushed which could cost him a GQ cover or two.
- Gronk muffed a touchdown spike.
- The Titans only TD came on a broken play when Locker avoided the rush and found Nate Washington for a 29-yard score. The secondary went to sleep on the play.
- Offensive lineman Dan Connolly left the game with a head injury and didn't practice Wednesday. Word is he should be fine for the home opener against Arizona.
If you're handing out a team grade for this game it is a solid A. Next up: At home vs. the 1-0 Arizona Cardinals.
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