The Patriots kept their impressive streak going as they won 34-13 this afternoon against the Titans at LP Field. That was New England's ninth-straight opening win, currently the best mark in the league.
The most interesting aspects of the rather routine victory were two-fold: Stevan Ridley's 1st career 100-yard rushing game (21 carries, 125 yards, 1 TD) and a stout defensive effort led by rookies Dont'a Hightower (5 tackles, 4 solo, tackle for loss, fumble recovery for TD), Chandler Jones (5 tackles, 3 solo, sack, caused fumble) and Tavon Wilson (4 tackles, 3 solo, 2 passes deflected, interception).
We expect certain things from the Patriots: Tom Brady's brilliance (23 of 31, 236 passing yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs) as he spreads it around to a variety of receivers like Rob Gronkowski (6 catches, 60 yards, TD), Aaron Hernandez (6 catches, 59 yards, TD) and Brandon Lloyd (5 catches, 69 yards). The only surprise there is that Ridley (2 catches, 27 yards) had more receiving yards than Wes Welker (3 catches, 14 yards), let's hope that's not a sign of things to come.
Since New England made the Super Bowl last season, you'd think that they were a well-oiled machine but as true fans know, they were lucky to make it that far thanks to facing a host of bad teams, awful quarterbacks and riding a wave of luck until they ran into the Giants. Again. The easiest thing to do is freak out over one game but I'm not falling into that trap. Still, if Ridley can run that hard and not fumble while their defense flies around, well look out AFC.
Jake Locker (23 of 32, 229 yards, TD, INT) actually played much better than I expected but he wasn't helped by Chris Johnson (11 carries, career-low 4 yards; 6 catches, 47 yards) who is a shell of his former 2000-yard self. To make matters worse, Locker left with a shoulder injury after he tried to tackle Patrick Chung following what was initially ruled a fumble (later overturned on replay).
Tennessee had one lead (3-0) in the entire game, as Rob Bironas hit a 28-yard field goal in the first quarter. New England answered later in the frame with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Brady to Hernandez.
Jones and Hightower combined on what I would deem the play of the game early in the second quarter. Jones strip-sacked Locker and Hightower scooped it up then powered his way six yards into the end zone. Brady and Gronkowski connected on a beautiful 2-yard touchdown pass with two minutes left in the 1st half, 21-3 Patriots.
The Titans forced the Pats to punt on their first two possessions of the second half and made it interesting for a second as Locker hit Nate Washington for a 29-yard score but then Ridley scored from a yard out and New England led 28-10 after three quarters.
The fourth quarter was extended garbage time as Bironas (24-yard) and Stephen Gostkowski (25-yard and 31-yard) traded field goals and New England basically ran out the clock while Tennessee was petrified to take risks. Two other Patriots defensive players stood out: Jerod Mayo had 13 tackles (9 solo, 1 pass deflected) and Devin McCourty had seven tackles (5 solo, 2 pass deflections) as he performed much better than his twin brother Jason on the Titans (2 tackles, 2 solo, tackle for loss).
The only two kickoffs returned by New England were by McCourty (28 yards) and Matthew Slater (19 yards). So it looks like that will remain an area of concern going forward. Julian Edelman returned four punts for 27 yards, including a 14-yard return. It was a great day for the Pats special teams though as punter Zoltan Mesko pinned the Titans inside the 20 with three punts and also boomed a 51-yard punt. Haha I think that's the first time I've ever mentioned him.
Another cupcake comes the Patriots (1-0) way as they host the Cardinals (1-0) next Sunday (1 p.m., Fox) at Gillette Stadium for New England's home opener. Arizona beat Seattle 20-16 this afternoon but I can't take any team seriously that had a tight quarterback battle between John Skelton and Kevin Kolb. Skelton was the starter but he hurt his ankle so Kolb saved the day. Regardless of which one of those bums starts, the Pats should blow them out. Sorry Larry Fitzgerald.
UPDATE 9/12: Tight end/former defensive end Alex Silvestro was released from the practice squad today and the Pats signed safety Cyhl (pronounced Kyle) Quarles to take his place.
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