Pats Finish Strong, Tame the Lions 45-24

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Friday, November 26, 2010

Scott Cordischi, GoLocalProv Sports Editor

On Thanksgiving Day, the New England Patriots played the role of “turkey” for three quarters at Ford Field in Detroit. Fortunately for the Pats, they played the final quarter like the real New England Patriots and the Lions, well, let’s just say that they morphed into the same old Lions in the end. It all added up to a 45-24 win for the Patriots which lifted their record to an NFL best (9-2).

It was an uninspired first half for New England who seemed to be playing down to their level of their competition. Detroit led at half 17-10.

The second half was a different story. Tom Brady, who didn’t throw a touchdown pass in the first half, threw four in the second half – two each to Wes Welker and Deion Branch. Brady finished the game going 21-27 for 341 yards, 4 TD’s and O INT’s. He achieved a perfect passer rating of 158.3 becoming the first quarterback in the NFL to do that this season.

“We showed some resiliency,” Brady said. “I think coming out in the second half and playing the way we did, the crowd was really into it. I think Devin’s interception was a huge play in the game. We executed much better in the second half, so great for everybody.”

Rookie cornerback Devin McCourty did come up big in the second half with not one, but two interceptions of Lions’ QB Shaun Hill.

The Patriots will now have 10 days to prepare for their biggest and most important game of the season one week from Monday night. That’s when the NY Jets visit Foxboro in a game for first place in the AFC East and the best overall record in the NFL.

 

NOTES:

-With their 9th win of the season, New England now has won 9 or more games in each of the past 10 seasons which is the longest such streak for any team in the National Football League.

-If there was any doubt about Deion Branch's hamstring injury being better, that was laid to rest Thursday.  Branch did a great job of running after the catch on his 79-yard touchdown catch making two Lions defenders whiff on tackles.

-The Pats not only won the battle on the field, the won the battle of throw-back uniforms.  The Pats sported their throw-backs from the 1985 AFC Championship season while the Lions pulled out a hideous version of an older uniform that was plain and ugly and just plain ugly!

-Bill Belichick was very happy with his team after the game saying, "I really appreciate what these guys have done so far this year.  To be where we're at has taken a lot of hard work.  It hasn't always been perfect, it hasn't even been good, but it is what it is."  Belichick also wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving.

-Pats RB Danny Woodhead (aka "Little Rudy) had reason to be thankful this Thanksgiving.  The diminutive one signed a new contract extension with the Patriots.  According to published reports and the NFL PA, Woodhead has added two years to what was only a 1-year deal paying him $395,000 this season.  He will earn $550,000 in 2011 and $700,000 in 2012.  Those are bargain basement prices considering Woodhead's production thus far.  He has filled the very important role vacated by the injured Kevin Faulk who has been so valuable to this offense over the years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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