3 pivotal plays from the Patriots’ victory in New Orleans

The Patriots and Saints will be facing off on Sunday at 1:00 PM at the Mercedes-Benz Super dome in New Orleans, Louisiana. this will be the first time they have faced each other since 2013. The 447 yards were the third-highest total of Brady’s career.

Drew Brees (27 of 44 for 356 yards and two touchdowns) tried to keep the Saints close, connecting with Brandon Coleman on a 5-yard fade that began a 10-point comeback in the second quarter and cut New England’s lead to 20-13.

“Hopefully they’re all on Bourbon Street”, said Brady, whose name was chanted by fans as the game wound down, and again when he walked across the field to the team bus. Gronkowski would later leave the game with a groin injury.

On a 3rd and 8 at the Patriots’ 16-yard line, Brees made what looked like a flawless throw to receiver Ted Ginn Jr.

Gostkowski would convert a field goal just before the half to put the Patriots up 30-13 at the break. Hogan said he felt great after the game, but given the Patriots only had three healthy receivers on the roster going into the contest, any loss at the position is going to make matters a little more complicated. His touchdown in the first quarter was the 69th of his career, and he had 116 receiving yards.

Kansas City rookie running back KAREEM HUNT rushed for two touchdowns in the Chiefs’ 27-20 win over Philadelphia.

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) hands the ball off to running back Marshawn Lynch (24) in the game against the New York Jets during the second quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Thomas, who entered the game having played 9,996 consecutive offensive snaps, reached 10,000 consecutive snaps played on the Browns’ fourth offensive play of the game.

“The ball comes out pretty quick with Tom”, Saints coach Sean Payton said.

It was likely only because of New Orleans’ taller receivers, but it’s a situation worth monitoring after Butler struggled through the preseason and in Week 1. “At some point in the first half they had 30 points, and that’s something you can’t be proud of”.

A pair of young players stepped up in the absence of Dont’a Hightower, albeit at different levels of the defense. Saints defenders twice caught Brady’s passes, but both plays were wiped out by New Orleans penalties.

In the secondary, while the starting four played well, it was #3 corner Jonathan Jones, a 2016 undrafted free agent, was crucial in keeping the Saints behind on the scoreboard. The Saints could have tried another field-goal attempt late in the second quarter but elected to try for it on fourth-and-three.

Because really, as long as quarterback Tom Brady is healthy, it’s tough to hear those injury alarms blaring in the distance and take them too seriously.

Thomas, who played every snap of today’s game and extended his consecutive snap streak to 10,062, has not missed an offensive snap in his 11-year National Football League career. We always try to play well early and get off to a fast start. Seeing the Patriots come out focused and prepared was a great sign, as they were clearly a hungry team. Kickoff from Gillette Stadium will be at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday.