Patriots vs. Colts first half notes: Blount dominates while Ryan Allen makes huge mistake to give Colts safty

Score: 21-12 Patriots lead

Even in a game that has New England owners of a comfortable 9 point lead over their divisional playoff game opponent, Ryan Allen seemed to have lost a bit of respect with this Patriots team. Midway through the 2nd quarter of this one, Allen got unlucky on a terrible long snap that soared high over his head. While that mistake was not one that could be blamed on Allen his decision to pick the ball up on the 1 yard line was bizarre. 9 times out of 10 such a play would result in the punter kicking the ball out of the back of the end zone and yet, while the result of Allen's picking up the ball was no different than the alternative on the scoreboard, he was clobbered as 3 Colts swarmed the ball resulting in his eventual removal from the game because of what looked like a pulled bicep. 

But the Allen debacle was not the only thing that happened in this half. As predicted, the Patriots relied heavily on the run in this half putting the ball in a running back's control 27 times in the half while throwing it just 11 times. When he did throw it, Tom Brady was surgical tossing the ball not only where his receivers could dive an get it but more so where they could grab a ball 10 yards forward of the line and then sprint past the Colts coverage an turn the play into a 20 or 30 yard gain. This was the case at least 3 times in this half as while LeGarret Blount did the scoring guys like Julian Edelman and Danny Ammendola pushed the ball to the point on the field where Blount could bash it in. 

With a 9 point lead the Patriots kick things off in the second half looking to prevent the Colts from reviving that comeback magic they employed last week in Kansas City. 

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Playing in the rain: How a rainy prelude to tonight's game vs Colts will affect New England

As kickoff to Saturday's Patriots vs. Colts game draws nearer, rain continues to pound the field in Foxborough soliciting at least a few looks of worry among the Patriots fan base. For 2 years now, a rainy field has translated to a loose football as when we look back to games like Week 15 of 2012 vs. the 49'ers and Week 17 of this season vs the Bills, the Patriots have fumbled the ball a combined 6 times and while 4 of those 6 were recovered by the Patriots, it is never a good thing to have the ball on the ground.  

Unfortunately, when it comes to the Patriots their players either seem unfocused or incapable of preventing that meaning that as we prepare to watch as the Patriots take part in their 3rd game in which their field is turned to a swimming pool in 2 years they will be looking to reverse this trend and simply hold onto the football. 

"It's a long year," New England coach Bill Belichick said when asked about the impending possibility of rain. "It's something that you have to deal with, unfortunately, during the season. But it pretty much happens to everybody."  

At last check, The Weather Channel.com has the weather conditions at tonight's 8PM kickoff involving close to 25 mile per hour wind and torrential downpours all combining to form what the website's forecasters deem to be a heavy thunderstorm. While such conditions are only projected to last until that about 9PM, this wind that has caused a wind advisory to be posted until 11PM will likely be a huge factor for both teams. Lucky for New England, the 25MPH winds at kickoff and then 15MPH gusts that will continue up until around midnight will without a doubt be enough to stifle any attempt to chuck something down field where New England is week defensively. Furthermore, the famous gap in Gillette Stadium's construction will make it so that whoever is throwing towards it might not even be able to throw for anything farther than 15-20 yards. 

When you take realities like that into account, the possibility of a game focused around the running game and a few surgical screen passes from Brady to Edelman or Ammendola ought to give the Patriots the edge. But I caution you this, of the Patriots top three backs this week, LeGarret Blount, Shane Vereen and Stephan Ridley two of them are not the best at holding a ball especially when it is slippery against their chest. While LeGarret Blount has given the Patriots  that power rusher kind of player than even Stephan Ridely cannot be he fumbled 3 times in the regular season. As for Ridley, his 4 fumbles, all recovered by the Patriots were what landed him on the bench for much of the second half of this season. 

As the rain pounds down, the thunder echoes through Foxborough the ball will be shoved into the gut of anyone who can be used in such a way. Yards gained after Brady either hands the ball off or tosses it over the line of scrimmage, will be key in this one and if the Patriots are to win they will have to do one thing. Keep the ball in their hands and off the turf below them. 

*Check back later tonight for any updates on the weathers effect on the game and for a reflection on the first half

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Patriots pull off revealing comeback to beat Buffalo 23-21: Danny Ammendola and Jullian Edelman crucial in victory for New England

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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Patriots halftime notes: September 8th vs Bills

 In game notes from New England vs Buffalo Bills

Half Time

At halftime, the score stands at 17-14 New England. Tom Brady has thrown 2 touchdown passes to Julian Edelman but soon throws an interception which goes down as the second turnover of the half by New England.

At this point, 28 of the 31 points scored in this game have been off of turnovers which were prolific in the 1st half. Tom Brady is 13 for 25 on passing attempts with 122 yards all with his top receiver: Danny Amendola sitting on the sideline because of groin pain.

New England needs to come out flying in the 2nd half and take advantage of this inferior Buffalo squad.

*Note: Tom Brady has been hit 5 times in the 1st half. 

Check back later tonight for a full recap of this game.

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Patriots first half in game notes: September 8th vs Buffalo Bills

In game notes of the New England Patriots vs the Buffalo Bills week one match-up

First Quarter

- After Stephan Ridely supposedly fumbled the football, the Patriots retained possession following the challenge. (0-0)

- After they were forced to punt, Tommy Kelly recovered a CJ Spiller fumble, putting the Patriots at 1st and 10 on the Buffalo 15 yard line. (0-0)

- After a few short gains, Tom Brady threw a 9 yard  pass to Julian Edelman. TOUCHDOWN (7-0 NEW ENGLAND)

- After several in-completions, Stetphan Goskowski comes on  to kick a 48 yard field goal. KICK IS GOOD (10-0 NEW ENGLAND)

- 15 yard Hands to the Face penalty brings Buffalo back to a 1st and 21 situation. 2 incompletions later, EJ Manuel is unable to convert on 3rd and 19. Buffalo is forced to punt. (10-0 NEW ENGLAND)

- Following a 19 yard run by Sephan Ridely, first quarter ends (10-0 NEW ENGLAND)


Second Quarter

- Tom Brady sacked, New England forced to punt from midfield (10-0 NEW ENGLAND)

- Buffalo goes 3 and out and punts from mid field. New England starts drive from 20 yard line (10-0 NEW ENGLAND)

- New England goes 3 and out. Patriots punt from 24 yard line. Buffalo starts drive at 7 yard line.  (10-0 NEW ENGLAND)

- Kyle Arrington intercepts pass from EJ Manuel returns to 7 yard line. Play is under review and after first look it appears that the play will be overturned. (10-0 NEW ENGLAND)

- Interception ruling is overturned Buffalo punts on 4th and 3. New England starts drive from 46 yard line. (10-0 NEW ENGLAND)

- Stephan Ridley fumbles football, play is returned for touchdown. Play is under review. At first look it seems that play will stand (10-0 NEW ENGLAND) 

- Ruling on field is confirmed. 74 yard return for Sercy of Buffalo. TOUCHDOWN (10-7 NEW ENGLAND)

- Buffalo kicks off to New England. LeGarret Blount returns kick to 25 yard line. New England starts from 25 yard-line. (10-7 NEW ENGLAND)

-  Pass incomplete to Kenbrell Thompkins Patriots punt. Buffalo starts drive at 10 yard line (10-7 NEW ENGLAND) 

- Kyle Arrington forces Buffalo fumble. Rob Ninkovich recovers and returns for a few yards. Play is under review. At first look it looks like the play will stand (10-7 NEW ENGLAND)

- Fumble ruling is confirmed. New England starts from 30 yard line (10-7 NEW ENGLAND)

*Danny Amendola comes out of game with groin pain.

- Tom Brady completes on 3rd and 7 with short pass to Julian Edelman TOUCHDOWN (17-7 NEW ENGLAND)

- Patriots kick off goes for touch-back. Buffalo starts from 20 yard line. (17-7 NEW ENGLAND)

- After Buffalo goes 3 and out, Brady's pass is intercepted and Buffalo returnes to 20 yard line. Play is under review. At first glace, it looked like ruling will be overturned. (17-7 NEW ENGLAND)

- Play is confirmed return is called back though. (17-7 NEW ENGLAND)

- EJ Manuel throws 20 yard pass to Robert Wood. TOUCHDOWN (17-14 NEW ENGLAND)

- Tom Brady takes a knee. First half over (17-14 NEW ENGLAND) 

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