Saints survive Bucs upset bid, Brady is still Brady, and all of NFL Week 5—the Monday Morning Realist

Every Monday morning, Section 215’s Akiem Bailum gives an in-depth and unfiltered look at all of the latest sports news in The Monday Morning Realist. You can follow Akiem on Twitter @AkiemBailum.

Not a Loud Enough Forte

Oct 5, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Brenton Bersin (11) runs after making a catch during the third quarter against the Chicago Bears at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Bears 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

It may be a safe thing to ask Chicago and Carolina fans (or even the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers themselves) about how last week went for both of those teams.

Likely, the response will be short and sweet: as in they do not want to talk about last week.

Carolina first (even though they were the home team this week). The Panthers were roundly defeated at home by the Baltimore Ravens by a final of 38-10. This game even saw for Panthers wide receiving great Steve Smith burn the Ravens for 139 yards.

Smith was so fired up about his huge performance last week against his former team, that he called into Charlotte sports talk radio station, WFNZ 610 AM The Fan, to fire broadsides at Panthers brass, Ron Rivera, and Greg Hardy.

Meanwhile, on the Chicago side of things, it is never a pleasant day on Lakeshore when the Bears are defeated by the Green Bay Packers. It is even worse when Da Bears get da-stroyed by the Pack 38-17. Add in the fact that Chicago was owned at home by Green Bay, and the four-letter word count within the Loop will skyrocket.

After the smartings of last week, both teams could have used a spot in the win column for Week 5.

The Panthers began their initial offensive series with a three and out, leading to a punt to Chicago’s Santonio Holmes. He fumbled after being tackled by A.J. Klein, but no harm was done as the Bears still were able to maintain possession of the football for their first offensive series.

Just as the Panthers did, the Bears also had to settle for a three and out on their first drive. Philly Brown received the following punt.

Yes, Realists. There is a football player named Philly Brown who doesn’t play for the Eagles or Browns, but what he would do next would have Eagles and Browns fans temporarily wishing he was on their team. He returned the ensuing punt 79 yards for a touchdown to give the Panthers an early 7-0 lead.

The next offensive series for the Bears went as auspiciously as that last special teams possession.

Quarterback Jay Cutler was able to connect on a big play with Alshon Jeffery for 31 yards. But, on a 3rd and 12 from the Panthers’ 31 yard line (well within field goal range for Robbie Gould), Cutler attempted to find Brandon Marshall only to have his pass intercepted by Roman Harper at the Carolina seven yard line.

It was ruled a pick after it was initially said that the runner was down by contact.

Carolina was not the only team causing turnovers. On 3rd and 8 from the Panthers’ 10 yard line, Cam Newton completed to Kelvin Benjamin for what appeared to be a 20 yard huge play, before Isaiah Frey caused a fumble. He would also recover. Two Cutler completions later, he found Matt Forte for a 10 yard TD and a tie game.

Three plays into the Panthers’ next offensive series, Willie Young found his way to Newton and caused a sack and a fumble. Lamarr Houston was responsible for the recovery at the Panthers’ 13 yard line. The Bears ran a pair of plays using Forte before having Cutler scramble for 10 yards and a TD. That made the score 14-7 Bears.

Chicago’s momentum could not be stopped, it appeared as it translated into the second quarter. The first offensive series of the period would start in the first and last into the second. An eight play, 68 yard drive that lasted over five minutes culminated in a 25 yard strike from Cutler to Jeffrey that increased the Bears’ advantage to 21-7.

Was there anything else that could possibly go in the Bears’ direction? Yes there was. The Panthers moved the ball efficiently on their ensuing possession, until Newton was picked off by Lance Briggs deep in Chicago territory. The play was challenged and the ruling stood.

Chicago was poised to add on its lead. The Bears’ huge play of the following possession was a 56 yard bomb from Cutler to Forte, but after moving the ball to the 17 of the Panthers, Gould’s 35 yard field goal attempt was no good, preserving the score at 21-7 Bears.

This was until the final Carolina drive of the half where Newton completed passes to Jason Avant for over 20 yards. A nine yard throw to Greg Olsen capped off that drive and brought the Panthers to within eight. Graham Gano’s extra point was good making the score 21-14 as the half expired.

The Bears had possession as the second half began, and only managed one first down on their following drive. This led to a punt back to Carolina, which was almost turned over.

The Panthers did recover. Newton’s next drive included finding Brenton Bersin for 21 yards. It ended when from yard away, Chris Ogbonnaya found the end zone to tie the game. This was after a pass interference play moved the ball to the one yard line.

The following Bears possession would last eight plays for 53 yards, including three run plays to Forte. Chicago regained the lead when Gould converted on a 45 yard field goal attempt to make the scoreboard say 24-21 Bears.

Both offenses went into a slumber for much of the beginning of the fourth quarter. Then, on 2nd and 11 from the 46 with around six minutes to play, Cutler attempted to pass to Holmes before being intercepted by Thomas DeCoud. 35 yards later, he was well within Chicago territory.

They would convert that Bears miscue into points as Gano was true from 44 yards out to tie the game at 24.
Then, the Bears completely unraveled. The first play of the ensuing Chicago drive was intended to be a run play to Forte. Instead, he put the ball on the turf and Antoine Cason was responsible for the turnover. Kawaan Short recovered and the football ended up at the 23 yard line.

Six yards later on 3rd and goal from the six, Newton once again connected with Olsen (a former Bear, by the way) for six. 31-24 Panthers.

Cutler and the Bears tried one more time to tie this one and force overtime. It began promising when Cutler found Jeffery for 20 yards to begin the drive, but went south when Cutler was sacked twice. Short, this time, caused a fumble on 4th and 21 from the Bears 34. Charles Johnson recovered, sealing a Carolina victory.

• Newton: 19/35, 255 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
• Reaves: 11 carries, 35 yards
• Olsen: six receptions, 72 yards, 2 TDs

• Cutler: 28/36, 289 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
• Forte: 17 carries, 61 yards
• Forte: 12 receptions, 105 yards, 1 TD

Week 6: CHI at ATL, CAR at CIN

Dallas is Bigger in Texas

Oct 5, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys receiver Cole Beasley (11) runs after a reception against Houston Texans safety Kendrick Lewis (21) at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The Lone Star State is a major state when it comes to football at any level. Heck, Texas politicians are spending money on high school football stadia as if it was something being built for the Olympics.

But, Texas can also be a weird football state as well. There’s a reason for this.

The Dallas Cowboys virtually own all of the state of Texas in terms of its football fandom. Of course, the only spot on the map of Texas that they don’t own is Houston, which is definitely Texans territory.

When the Texans debuted over a decade ago, many Houstonians were declaring themselves “Cowboys turned Texans”. I remember that day well as I lived in Houston when the Texans debuted (they were originally awarded to LA before they turned that into a debacle).

Nontheless, both Texas teams (so far this season) are actually good after disappointing 2013’s. The Cowboys are 3-1 after their season commenced with a Week One defeat to the San Francisco 49ers in which Tony Romo threw three picks while the Texans (after going 2-14 last season) were 3-1.

And, on top of that, the game may have been played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, but apparently, there were plenty of dropped calls in North Texas letting Cowboys fans know about the game. Texans fans made the drive up Interstate 45 and flooded the stadium that day decked in Houston’s famous battle red.

So much for Jerry World…

This one would begin with both teams trading…turnovers. On the Texans’ second possession of the game, Ryan Fitzpatrick attempted to complete a pass to Arian Foster. That football ended up in the outstretched arms of Orlando Scandrick instead as Dallas assumed possession at their own 34 yard line.

The Cowboys appeared poised and ready to convert that turnover into points. Even if they didn’t convert on a 3rd and 1 from the 12 yard line, Dan Bailey would be coming out for a field goal attempt. DeMarco Murray (who don’t be surprised if he gets over 2,000 yards on the ground this season) advanced the football to the 10 yard line for a first down, but put the ball on the turf thanks to Kendrick Lewis. Justin Tuggle recovered the football for the Texans as Dallas left points on the field.

The scoreless stalemate would last into the second quarter, but on Houston’s first series of the second quarter, It ended in a 48 yard punt from Shane Lechler to Dwyane Harris. He himself was tackled by Jeff Tarpinian for a fumble and recovery by Alfred Blue.

This gave the Texans possession at the Cowboys’ 43 yard line, but a three and out on their ensuing offensive possession ensured that they wouldn’t even attempt a field goal.

With the half nearing its closing moments, Dallas hoped to at least put some points on the board. They would do so when a 12 play, 65 yard drive that would last four minutes and thirty seven seconds ended in a 33 yard field goal from Dan Bailey to make the score 3-0 Cowboys.

As quickly as Dallas had the lead, Houston would immediately snatch it from them. The Texans’ first possession of the second half featured five out fo the six plays being runs to Arian Foster. These included 33 and 15 yard gains. The one for 15 was not longer because Foster found the end zone and allowed Houston to get its first lead of the game.

Nearly immediately as the Texans had the lead, the Cowboys said “not so fast, you wannabes from Houston!” Two deep passes from Romo to receivers capped off the following drive. He found Jason Witten for 34, then Terrance Williams for 43 and a TD. Bailey’s PAT was good, contributing to a 10-7 Dallas lead.

As the fourth quarter began, the team in the white jerseys was the team with the football. And on 2nd and 20 from the Texans’ 20 after what was shaping up to be a productive drive, Romo found Lewis at the 3 yard line when he was attempting to pass to Dez Bryant. The Texans went 3 and out again, and Dwyane Harris would go 38 yards to the Texans’ 30 on the following return.

Four plays later, Romo connected with Bryant for two yards and a TD. This extended the Cowboys lead to 17-7.
This was an advantage that would begin to contract.

On the following Houston possession, they put together a long, sustained drive that lasted 13 plays for 76 yards. Those yards would result in a 29 yard field goal from Randy Bullock to bring Houston to within seven at 17-10.

The Texans’ defense forced three and out, then started their final offensive drive of the second half at the Cowboys’ 45. After Ryan Fitzpatrick completed a pass to Andre Johnson for 20 yards, it would be Foster again to tack on the points as a one yard TD from him tied this one up at 17.

One more offensive possession left for Dallas in the half. Facing a 53 yard field goal try from Bailey to win the game, the Cowboys could not convert. We had overtime in Arlington.

It would begin with Houston having the football, but on 3rd and 2, they didn’t simply hand the rock to Foster when he was on all game.

Say what you want about that, but that was a play calling miscue. One that the Texans would pay for via the Cowboys’ final drive of the game. All Dallas needed was a field goal to win it, and with over eight minutes left in the overtime period, Bailey was true from 49 yards out for a 20-17 Dallas victory.

• Romo: 28/41, 324 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
• Murray: 31 carries, 136 yards
• Bryant: 9 receptions, 85 yards, 1 TD

• Fitzpatrick: 16/25: 154 yards
• Foster: 23 carries, 157 yards, 2 TDs
• Hopkins: 6 receptions, 63 yards

Week 6: IND at HOU, DAL at SEA

Saint Happenin’, Tampa Bay

Oct 5, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Khiry Robinson (29) celebrates his game winning touchdown with quarterback Drew Brees (9) in overtime of a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Buccaneers 37-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Of course, the way games are predicted in the media and the way they actually play out on the field can be totally different, given that they rarely take into account potential injuries.

Games on the field are completely different from the way they are predicted in the press. This happens every week and will continue to happen as long as there is an NFL.

This NFC South battle between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New Orleans Saints is no exception to that rule.

While the Saints have had their fair share of struggles this season in their first year since getting rid of Darren Sproles, no one in their correct minds would think that the Bucs had a shot to defeat the New Orleans Saints and Drew Brees, right?

The phrase “Any Given Sunday” was invented for a reason. This was a Bucs team that was fresh off a huge victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-24 in Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, for the Saints, their record dipped when the Dallas Cowboys dominated them at AT&T Stadium 38-17.

The initial offensive possessions for both teand concluded in punts before New Orleans took to the field one ore time. After starting at the 20 yard line, an d a3 30 yard completion to Marques Colston, the Saints would have to try a 30 yard try from Shayne Graham. The kick was good for an early 3-0 lead.

The Bucs would have issues getting anything going on their following drive as well, but the Saints seemed to be moving the ball at an efficient rate. Jimmy Graham at one point was the recipient of a 23 yard pass from Brees. Shayne Graham was true from 29 yards out to expand the Saints’ advantage to 6-0.

Surely a team can get away with settling for field goals vs. the Bucs, right?

Even if so, their first drive of the second quarter showed that the Saints were not taking any chances. Brees connected with Josh Hill for 37 yards before he was forced out of bounds. A 15 yard strike to Pierre Thomas from Brees would extend the Saints lead to 13-0, along with Graham’s PAT.

What ever the Bucs were doing bad, the Saints were doing good. A Mike Glennon pass that was intended for Louis Murphy three plays into Tampa’s following possession instead would find the outstretched hand of Patrick Robinson. New Orleans would not be able to convert that into points as Two first downs were not enough to sustain that Saints drive.

The ensuing drive finally saw the Buccaneers pick up some momentum. Glennon found Murphy for 21 yards to the Saints’ 11 before a face mask penalty eradicated the play. Tampa had to settle for a 55 yard field goal attempt from Patrick Murray (instead of Murphy). The kick was good for a 13-3 game.

Four plays into the following New Orleans drive, Brees intended to pass to Travaris Cadet on 1st and 10 from their 38 yard line, but instead connected with Jonathan Banks. Four plays into the ensuing Tampa drive, Glennon found Murphy from 20 yards out for the first Tampa TD of the game. It was now 13-10 New Orleans.

After the half, whatever momentum the Bucs had was beginning to carry over after the interception and the score. Glennon threw passes to Doug Martin and Vincent Jackson for over 20 yards, but a nine yard run from Bobby Rainey gave the Buccaneers their first lead of the game.

If you were the home team at this point, the game was anything but easy in the Big Easy. Three plays into the ensuing Saints drive on 3rd & 6, Brees was picked off by Danny Lansanah and 31 yards later, it became a Pick 6.

The Bucs had turned this game upside down as the score became 24-13. The only silver lining for New Orleans is that Lansanah was flagged 15 yards (assessed on kickoff) for using the ball as a prop (so much for the NFL being entertainment, refs).

A game that was looking like a blowout had become a game. And after 12 plays and 63 yards for over six minutes on the next drive, Brees connected with Cadet for a five yard touchdown to bring the Saints within four at 24-20.

Defense? Defense? Anyone?

Defense?

The response would be met by Tampa. Glennon threw looking to find Martin, but instead, connected with Junior Galette on the next drive, but the play was challenged on the grounds that it was an incomplete pass. The ruling was reversed and became an incomplete pass. In football, you never look a gift horse in the mouth. This was shown was Glennon turned that ruling into a nine yard TD to Robert Herron for his lone reception of the game. This made it 31-20.

The previous Saturday had seen upsets galor in college football. Would the bug spread to the NFL as well?

Not if Pierre Thomas had anything to say about it as he capped off a 10 play, 78 yard, four minute drive with a touchdown. A two point conversion attempt would have brought the Saints to within a field goal, but it failed.

But, on a 3rd and 29 from the Bucs one on Tampa’s next drive, Junior Galette would ensure that the Saints would get those two points. He was responsible for a New Orleans safety.

That of course, returned the ball back in Saints hands. Four minutes and eight plays for 34 yards later, Graham’s 44 yard field goal attempt was good to tie the game at 31.

Glennon and Tampa Bay only managed two first downs on their next drive, leading to another punt. The Saints were hoping to win the game on their last possession of regulation. But, a 3rd and 10 from the Bucs 49 resulted in a pick of Brees as he looked for Robert Meachem. Alterraun Verner stopped the Saints drive with the pick to ensure free football.

That period would not last long, thanks to New Orleans. First, Brees found Colston for a 21 yard completion. Then, eventually, it became 2nd and 8 from the 18. That became a Khiry Robinson 18 yard TD run to end the game and the Bucs upset bid at a 37-31 Saints win.

• Brees: 35/57, 371 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs
• Robinson: 21 carries, 89 yards, 1 TD
• Thomas: 8 receptions, 77 yards, 1 TD

• Glennon: 19/32, 249 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
• Martin: 14 carries, 45 yards
• Jackson, 8 receptions, 144 yards

Week 6: BAL at TB, NO bye

If Only They Could be Royals

October 5, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) passes the football against San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aaron Lynch (59, right) during the second quarter at Levi

This one had to be a difficult game to predict, if one were to use Week 4 as a barometer for Week 5.

The San Francisco 49ers had defeated the Philadelphia Eagles by a final score of 26-21. This was not necessarily because the 49ers had played well enough to defeat Philly, but only because the Eagles offense looked so atrocious that Chip Kelly had to feel as if he was back in Eugene, Oregon coaching the Ducks. They scored 21 points thanks to big plays from the defense and special teams. The defense did not do anything all game.

As for the Kansas City Chiefs, they may have pulled off what is up to this point the most shocking victory in the NFL this season. They dominated Tom Brady and the New England Patriots at Arrowhead by a final of 41-14, in which all of Kansas City (including the barbecue and fountains) showed up to make things difficult for the Pats (including setting a new record for noise level at a stadium).

In addition, those Chiefs are doing something that is not common in Kansas City around this time: they are playing second fiddle to the Kansas City Royals (at last!) as the boys in royal blue have advanced to the American League Championship Series against the Baltimore Orioles. Kauffman Stadium and Arrowhead Stadium share the same parking lot.
Based on Sunday, the two KC teams would not share the same success.

Things did begin in promising fashion for the Chiefs. KC began this game on offense, and engineered a 12 play, 81 yard drive lasting over six minutes to give their team a 7-0 lead. The touchdown was courtesy of an Alex Smith pass to Travis Kelce. Cairo Santos’ extra point attempt was true.

It only took one possession for the 49ers to get on the board. They did so by going 10 plays and 59 yards for just over four minutes, ending in a 31 yard field goal from Phil Dawson. 7-3 Kansas City despite San Francisco moving the ball into the red zone.

There was an early theme to this game: long drives, resulting in field goals. The Chiefs answered the Niners three points with three of their own. A 14 play, 63 yard scoring drive ended with a 42 yard field goal courtesy of Santos.

If you prefer field goals over touchdowns, this was the game for you early. The next possession for the 49ers began at the 18 and included Colin Kaepernick going 38 yards to Brandon Lloyd. Eventually, that drive would stall at the 38 yard line of Kansas City, setting the stage for a 56 yard field goal from Dawson to bring San Francisco back to within four at 10-6.

Only one first down would be seen on the Chiefs next drive and they would have to punt again to San Francisco. A 3rd & 5 from their 23 saw Kaepernick complete to Anquan Boldin for 27 yards. Kaepernick then completed a pass for eight yards later in the drive for someone who would have a perfect name if he were a runningback—Derek Carrier.

Instead, James Michael Johnson was responsible for a fumble, but recovered the football at the 29 yard line of the Chiefs. The two minute warning and five plays later, Kaepernick connected with Stevie Johnson for nine yards and a TD to give San Francisco its first lead of the game. 13-10.

The end of the half would see Jamaal Charles fumble and then recover his own fumble, but would also be flagged for a personal foul as the half concluded.

Kansas City got right on their first possession of the second half. Charles remained in charge for 26 yards on the first play, then Alex Smith capped it off with a 17 yard touchdown pass to De’Anthony Thomas (his only reception of the game) to give KC the lead again by a score of 17-13.

The 49ers would inch to within one after a nine play, 43 yard drive lasting almost six minutes resulted in Dawson’s third field goal of the game, this time from 52 yards out.

When the fourth quarter commenced, Kapernick once again found Lloyd for 29 yards nearly three minutes in. Three and a half minutes later after advancing the football to the Kansas City nine yard line, Dawson came on to the field again for his fourth FG attempt of the game. The 27 yarder was good for a 19-17 lead.

Another Kansas City three and out would lead to the Niners taking possession of the football again. With the San Francisco offense still on the field, Kansas City had no choice but to burn all of its timeouts this drive. The 49ers used one of their own as well prior to a 3rd and 12 from the Chiefs 12 yard line. San Francisco turned to its ground game to lead the charge this drive, and after making it to the 12 yard line, Dawson’s fifth field goal (30 yards) increased the 49ers advantage to 22-17.

Kansas City’s bid to win the game on the last drive lasted only two plays. A 2nd and 10 from the 20 intended for Anthony Fasano instead ended up hitting Patrick Cox in between the numbers. San Francisco would run out the clock for the 22-17 triumph.

• Kaepernick: 14/26, 201 yards, 1 TD
• Gore: 18 carries, 107 yards
• Lloyd: 3 receptions, 76 yards

• Smith: 17/31: 175 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
• Charles: 15 carries, 80 yards
• Hemingway: 4 receptions, 50 yards

Week 6: KC bye, SF at STL

“Do You Know Who I (Still) Am!”

Oct 5, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) at the line of scrimmage during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Gillette Stadium. New England Patriots defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 43-17. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

The Cincinnati Bengals were a team that would be featured on primetime on Sunday Night Football to face the New England Patriots after the Bengals had started the season 3-0.

In fact, the Bengals and the Arizona Cardinals were the lone undefeated teams left coming into Week 5. The Cards earlier in the day had lost to Peyton Manning and the Broncos as Manning made history by throwing his 500th TD pass.

Tom Brady is also a QB that knows something about undefeated seasons. We all remember what happened in 2007-08 when the New England Patriots had completed an undefeated season in the regular season, before being two Eli Manning passes shy in the Super Bowl (David Tyree, Plaxico Burress) of completing an undefeated campaign for the season and playoffs.

But, the conversation around the Pats did not pertain to if Brady would have a shot at another undefeated campaign. That went away after Week One when the Patriots were upset by the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium.

Conversation around the sporting press turned to if Brady was indeed finished at QB and if his better days of throwing multiple TD passes and for 300+ yards a game were indeed behind him.

Had father time finally hit Tom Terrific?

Brady had an emphatic response to that question on Sunday night.

On the Patriots first drive of the game, Brady looked like the Brady of old (or the one that never left) with completed passes of 20 and 30 yards to Brandon LaFell and Tim Wright, respectively. A one yard TD run courtesy of Stevan Ridley ended the opening drive in a TD for New England. 7-0.

Up to the following point in Cincinnati’s first possession, they had converted three plays into first downs. The third looked like it was an Andy Dalton interception of A.J. Green that was lost on Revis Island. But when an illegal use of hands penalty was called on the Bengals (along with an illegal contact penalty on Darrelle Revis), they were offsetting flags resulting in no play.

That last play was in Patriots territory at the New England 34 yard line. Mike Nugent attempted a 52 yard field goal that ended up being short.

New England took over again at their 42 yard line. That drive included completed passes to Rob Gronkowski for 27 yards and Wright for 17 yards. The 17 yard completion was a touchdown score which along with the ensuing extra point from Stephen Gostkowski made the score 14-0.

That became 14-3 a pair of drives for the Bengals into the second quarter. A possession beginning on the 38 yard line and concluding at the five yard line of the Patriots would end in the Bengals only notching three courtesy of a 23 yard field goal from Nugent. 14-3 Pats.

But the Cincy deficit/New England lead would become 14 again when they responded with three of their own. An 11 play, 50 yard drive would result in another Gostkowski field goal to make the score of the game 17-3.

Revis would be responsible for another Bengals fumble a play into the next Cincinnati possession. When Dalton threw another pass to A.J. Green, Revis caused a fumble and Jamie Collins recovered the football. Giovanni Bernard then caused a fumble via Collins prior to it being found by Alfonzo Dennard.

This gave New England excellent field position at the Bengals’ 25 yard line, but they again had to settle for only three at the end of the first half with a Gostkowski 19 yard field goal. 20-3.

The Bengals would draw first blood in the second half. After an Adam Jones return to the Patriots’ 37 yard line, Mohamed Sanu was on the receiving end of a TD strike from Dalton from those 37 yards out. This made it 20-10.

The ensuing few minutes of the game put it well out of reach. The ensuing Patriots drive would feature a Brady pass to Wright for 25 yards as the longest play of the drive. Gronk Score Alert—Brady to Gronkowski for 16 yards and a 27-10 lead.

That became 34-10 when a little Brandon on Brandon violence occurred courtesy of special teams. Brandon Tate caught the receiving kickoff, before Brandon Tate caused a fumble. Kyle Arrington would be responsible for putting another six points on the board after the recovery.

Green would be Dalton’s primary target as Cincinnati began its next (and final) scoring drive. He connected with Green on pass completions of 35 and 17 yards out. The 17 yarder upped the Bengals’ point total to 17, but still trailed the Patriots by 17.

After 2nd and 11 from the Pats’ 45 on the ensuing possession, Ridley’s 43 yard gain put New England in striking distance of the end zone again. They couldn’t convert from 3rd and 3 from the five yard line, and that set the stage for another Gostkowski (23 yards) field goal. 37-17 New England.

Such would be the case on New England’s next drive. Prior to that, the Bengals only had two first downs on their following drive and it ended with an eight yard sack of Andy Dalton courtesy of Chris Jones. A nine play, 43 yard drive that lasted over four minutes concluded in a 47 yard field goal from Gostkowski to bring the score to 40-17.

Two plays into the next Cincinnati drive, Dalton found Dane Sanzenbacher for five yards, but he fumbled thanks to Kyle Arrington. Duron Harmon was on the recovery and the Patriots took over again at the Bengals 49 yard line.
An eight play 32 yard lasting over four minutes ended in another field goal courtesy of Gostkowski, this time from 35 yards out. 43-17 Patriots. The rout was on.

Jason Campbell assumed the QB position with the game well out of reach. He did complete one first down to Jeremy Hill for 22 yards. But, that would be the last first down of the game for Cincinnati. Three kneel downs later, the Patriots clinched a victory at 43-17.

Typical: this is what the Patriots do when it looks like father time has hit them and Belichick. Talk bad about them, it seems to only make them stronger.

• Brady: 23/35, 292 yards, 2 TDs
• Ridley: 27 carries, 113 yards, 1 TD
• Gronkowski, 6 receptions, 100 yards, 1 TD

• Dalton: 15/24, 204 yards, 2 TDs
• Bernard: 13 carries, 62 yards
• Green: 5 receptions, 81 yards, 1 TD

Week 6: NE at BUF, CAR at CIN

Other Games

Oct 5, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; A detailed view of the Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon on the field before the game between New York Jets and San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Packers defeat Vikings 42-10

Browns defeat Titans 29-28

Eagles defeat Rams 34-28

Giants defeat Falcons 30-20

Bills defeat Lions 17-14

Colts defeat Ravens 20-13

Steelers defeat Jaguars 17-9

Broncos defeat Cardinals 41-20

Chargers defeat Jets 31-0

Seahawks vs. Redskins (8:30, Monday Night Football)