Okay, let’s just think this through.
In May, the Bruins threw heart-attacks through Boston with their dramatic game seven comeback over Toronto. By that point in time the Red Sox were already playing in a season in which they would eventually tally upwards of 30 comebacks. By this point both of Boston's beloved sports teams have developed a "cardiac kid" reputation.
But nevertheless in a similar way that all of Boston's teams have developed a similar flare for postseason sucsess. The New England Patriots joined the list of comeback winning teams in Boston today as after once holding a 10-0 lead and then a 17-7 lead the erased a late 21-17 deficit to earn the win a down the Bills in dramatic field goal fashion.
It wasn't pretty but in the end, the New England Patriots rode the stellar play of three incoming stars all the way to victory.
After Tom Brady quickly pulled the Pats into a 7-0 then 10-0 lead after Goskowski's first field goal of the day, Stephan Ridely invoked the wrath of Bill Belichick when he pathetically tripped on his own feet then fumbled the football without being touched. After that miscue, it did not take long for Ridley's night to end as he spent the reminder of the game watching from the bench. Now at the time of the fumble it seemed that at first glance Rideley would be back after halftime but when promoted number 1 back: Shane Vereen made quick work of the Bills defense, it was clear that Stephan was never coming back.
Vereen finished the night with his first career 100 yard game as he smacked together 101 yards on 14 carries, Vereen was a driving force in this game and in a specific display of greatness, he was the man who ran the ball on both of the carries that put the Patriots the positions that resulted in those 2 crucial 4th quarter field goals for New England.
"I’ll take it, opening day...we made some very clutch plays when we needed to" Said Tom Brady, possibly referencing that key 21 yard run by Vereen towards the end of the game. "We got a long way to go, I mean I'm glad to start out with a win, winning is a hell of a lot better than losing but we got a long way to go." He continued in discrete acknowledgment to some 3rd quarter anger that he vented on the sideline.
Brady went 29 for 52 in this game with an interception and of course 23 incompletions. But in his defense the target of 10 of those incompletions: Kenbrell Thompkins could largely be pinned on Thompkins himself who at one point made no effort to get both his feet down before he went out of bounds.
But while Thompkins 4 receptions for 42 yards was less than pivotal in this game, the contributions of two men that Brady firmly acknowledged during his press conference were. After Danny Ammendola left the game in the 1st half, Julian Edelman slammed up 2 touchdowns 7 receptions and 79 offensive yards.
"Two great play-makers they have earned a lot of trust with me, they make a lot of great plays" Brady said referencing both Edelman AND Ammendola.
Now as mentioned before, Ammendola left the game early on with a reaggravated groin strain.
"At first i thought he was gone for the game" Brady said.
But Ammendola wasn't.
He returned during the 3rd quarter and soon powered his way to 104 yard offensive day with a long of 24 yards and a responsibility of 10 of Tom Brady's 24 completions in this game. But while the numbers are impressive 2 of those 10 catches were unthinkable clutch in this nail biter of a game.
With the ball on the New England 40 yard line and Tom Brady writhing under a 3rd and 10 situation with under 3 minutes to go in the game, Danny Ammendola broke away from the line and in a play that granted no relent for his injured groin, Ammendola laid out, catching a ball through 2 different defenders and preserving that game winning drive. But nevertheless, 3 plays later the Patriots were in an identical 3rd and 10 situation.
With the game once again on his shoulders, Ammendola brought us to our feet again running 15 yards forward of the line turning around and jumping into the stratosphere to once again catch the pass from Brady amidst the grasp of a slew of defenders.
"He really toughed it out, he fought all day" Brady said standing as one of many admirers of Ammendola’s sacrifice.
The Patriots would eventually bring themselves within Goskowski's range and after spending 2 plays to center the ball right between the hash marks, Stephan Gostkowski came on looking to make his first huge kick of the 2013 season. With a perfect snap and a stellar hold, Goskowski had to trouble sticking the 35 yarder and winning the game for the Patriots.
So there we were heart attack time back home in Boston. The Patriots had won their 10th straight season opener.
* Notes:
- With Tom Brady throwing 2 touchdown passes in the game, he extended his streak to 49 consecutive games with a TD. This is the second longest streak in NFL history and just 6 short of setting an all time record.
- After a 288 yard day passing, Tom Brady became the 9th player in NFL history to record 45,000 passing yards.
- Stephan Goskowski's 35 yard game winner was only his second of his career.
To see Stephan Goskowski's game winning field goal click here
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