Bruins get what they needed most in win over Panthers: 4-1 final

Going into the 3rd period of Thursday night's home clash with the struggling Florida Panthers the Bruins held a 1-0 lead that they knew they needed to retain. The mood was tense but by the end of that final 20 minute set that was not the case.

The Bruins walked out of TD Garden that night victorious for only the second time in almost 3 weeks and unlike some of their most recent games they earned every goal they scored against the Panthers and worked from puck drop to the final horn. That last part of their game has been lacking of late as they have surrendered late game leads in 2 of their last 6 games. They pounded the Panthers net with 30 shots but managed to get back and almost every play. Goaltender: Tuukka Rask was never hung out to dry.

But regardless of that, he got back to his backstopping ways by saving 23 out of 24 shots en route to a nice win that dropped his season GAA to an Eastern Conference best, 1.68.

“I think the consequences of me not being on top of my game might be a little different than in the past,” Rask said. “I just try to stop every puck and keep the game tight. If we’re not playing our best, you know -- it’s been a little unusual situation for us, giving up chances, and what kind of chances we’ve been giving up but it’s part of the game and we just have to battle through that.”

To elaborate on the details of those consequences Rask has outlined one simply needs to look back at the score sheet. Tuukka had allowed 11 goals in his previous 4 starts but above all was seeing more shots as a whole. In that same 4 game span, Bruins opponents blasted a total of 122 shots on Rask, when you look back on the 4 starts prior to this stretch those 122 bombs were nearly 25 more that those accrued in the sequence in which the Bruins went 3-1. In short, more shots equals more goals and for the Bruins that is a bad thing.

What is worse is the fact that in coalition with the struggles of his goal-tender, normally perfect defense-men: Zedeno Chara had been feeling the effects of upped ice time and came into Thursday night withering under two games of negative points in the plus minus category.

“I don’t know what you want to call it, but I call it not good enough,” Coach Julien said following last Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Islanders. “There’s no way in the world you should come in here and play the way you play. We’re not competing hard enough. We’re just not good enough right now. You see the difference in the team that beat you tonight — the energy and the effort that was put in compared to us. Sometimes you think you’re working hard, but you’re not.”

Claude Julian voiced all of the shortcomings felt by this Bruins team of late with that quote. Tuukka has seen too many shots, Zdeno Chara has flopped under the pressure of advanced ice time and above all the Boston Bruins just were not scoring goals.

They reversed all of those negative aspects of their game against the Panthers and despite the subordinate nature of their opponent, each of the 4 goals Boston scored were crucial in the win all be it only one of them would be credited with the title of the one that won the game.

Early on, there was David Krejci who, just over 7 minutes into the 2nd period broke up a 0-0 tie via a bomb of a shot from the point. What is better is the fact that on that play, lovable captain Chara was credited with the assist. Krejci said he did not remember much about that play but for the rest of the Bruins, they sure did. For a team that had only led for about 20 total minutes since the New Jersey game, getting the first goal here was crucial. The game was not over and yes the tension was still there but the Bruins had the lead and that was the fact that mattered the most.

Regardless of that, the Bruins piled on in the third kicking off the final frame action with an uplifting Brad Marchad goal just over 4 minutes in. Marchand snapped the longest goalless streak of his career with that goal but the Bruins were still not satisfied yet. Next up we had Torey Krug, the second year D-man who banged in his league leading 6th goal of the year as a defencemen.

Those 2 goals seemed to break and then pulverize the hearts of the Florida Panthers and their goalie seconded that notion.

"That was obviously a turning point of the game, that second goal for them," he said regarding the Marchand goal. "And it gave them some momentum and it puts us back on our heels with just 13 minutes or 14 minutes -- whatever it was -- left to play. So, obviously, that was just the turning point."

The Bruins would add on their 4th tally of the night with just under 2 minutes to go in the game and that just about sealed it.

The Bruins skated off the ice Thursday night with their heads held high finally doing what that had not been able to do in so long. They strung shifts together, banging in goals and never losing sight of their goal, to score goals.

*Note: The Bruins play the Toronto Maple Leafs in a rematch of Game Seven of last years Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at 7PM tonight. They will be looking for their 10th win of the year while Jarome Iginla and Torey Krug will each be gunning for their 10th points of the season. 

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Whats wrong with the Boston Bruins: A look at the red flags raised by the past week of Boston losses

After starting the season 7-2, the Bruins came into an October 26th game against the Devils looking to retain their spot at the top of the Atlantic Division. Prior to that game they had won 4 straight and as they retained a 3-2 lead late in the 3rd they found themselves just minutes away from their longest win streak since late last February. They were just over 3 minutes away from the win when it all fell apart.

Tory Krug committed a high stick that sent him to the penalty box for a 4 minute double minor and then, just seconds later, down went Patrice Bergeron who skied the puck over the glass and put the Devils on a 5 on 3 power play for the rest of the game. New Jersey soon pulled their goalie scored once and then scored again to not only tie the game but win it in regulation.

The Bruins have now played 3 games since that crushing loss and through that span of time; things have rapidly spiraled out of control. They have lost 2 of 3 and have been beating 8-6 on aggregate scouring. Even after the New Jersey game, the Big Bad Bruins still retained the top spot in the Atlantic division but after this recent dry spell they have fallen 4 points back of the division leading Lightning.

As you look into it, the various factors that have befallen the Bruins in their recent losses have been here all year. First and foremost, the Bruins need more out of their 2nd through 4th lines as 36% of the 94 points scored by Bruins players this season have come out of the Krejci, Lucic, Iginla line. By comparison that is 18 points higher than the 18% of team points smacked in by the Bergeron, Smith, Marchand line and 28 percentage points higher than the 10% held by the 3rd line.

As you look back it was noted early on how much the dependency on the top line was dangerous and it seems that through these last 3 games we have been shown that danger not just told about it. Krejci, Iginla and Lucic have combined for just 1 goal leaving a gaping hole in the Bruins attack. With the exception of Carl Soderberg no one has stepped up and for that reason, down the Bruins go.

But as you examine the box score it is the situation in goal that, however strange, has shot the Bruins in the feet. Now there is no doubt about current starter Tuukka Rask. Rask is 7 and 4 with a GAA of 1.73. He has accumulated a save percentage of .940 and above all allowed more than 3 goals just 3 times all year. Tuukka has been playing like a Vesna candidate and there has never been a question regarding in the excellence of his play. No the guy who has killed the Bruins is the man who has come in when Tuukka simply needs a day off.

In the minds of Bruins fans, Chad Johnson was never the answer to the question of who to fill the role of backup goalie and he has shown it in the 2 games he has appeared in this year. He has allowed 5 goals in 2 games of action and after posting a saver percentage of just .900 in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Islanders it may be time to test out Niklas Svedberg once again. 

The Bruins have played 3 fewer games than any other team in hockey this season but that is no excuse. They are just 4 points secure of a playoff spot and need to get going. Good news Bruins fans, we might be in for a surge in the coming weeks as 6 of their next 8 opponents are currently out of the playoff picture.

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This is for you Boston: Part Two - The Fans

Prior to 2013, there had been 2 championship parades in Red Sox history.

In 2004 the entire city of Boston was gripped with delirious excitement as despite the violent riots that occurred following their championship just days earlier, millions took to the streets to celebrate the breaking of one of the most depressing curses in sports history.

3 years later we were back again cramming ourselves into the streets of Boston for yet another (abridged) rolling rally parade. But in 2013, the feel was different. Unlike in 04' and 07' no one expected the 2013 Red Sox to win in the fashion that they did this year and for that reason, the excitement felt throughout Boston was almost concrete.

I was there, feeling the atmosphere and forgoing the pain of waking up at 7 AM on a Saturday all in hopes of simply being there. I was and throughout my years of living I have never been in a situation quite like this. From the first minute you even made a move towards the city of Boston the presence of Red and White pride was firmly personified. As one marched through the train stations of greater Boston you could not see the floor as from above all that was visible was a sea of humans clad in jerseys all breathing a sense of relief, satisfaction and pure joy almost 2 hours before the parade even started. 

People came from far and wide to see today's celebration but for many, it meant so much more. As tough as Bostonians are what happened on April 15 was a moment of true terror in which the very worst and the very best of human nature was showcased. Our leaders flocked to Boston to heal our frayed nerves and remember our murdered friends but despite the words of Barrak Obama and regardless of the comedic sympathy expressed by nearly every TV host nationwide it was shown following the attacks the true unifying prowess that the insanely competitive joy of sports can bring to any city. 

When you look back on this year it is the "One day closer to the parade!" phrase repeated time and time again by this Sox team, it was the "This is our F*****G city battle cry made by David Ortiz and then the screams of joy we witnessed as the dugouts emptied time and time again throughout the 2013 season. Amidst all the sadness, the action, the wins and the commitment to the game on the part of the Red Sox provided relent to the pain of those involved with the tragedy. And that was the greatest gift this team made to its city. 

“There is nothing better than to be Boston Strong,” 29 year old parade attendee Liz Perkins aid. “We said it all season.”  

Pedroia backed up that mentality earlier on when during the pre-parade rally he took to the podium and delivered as much a speech as his miniature frame could muster. 

“We played for the whole city, what the city went through. Hopefully, we put a smile on ... everybody’s face. It was special. We wanted to do this and make it right for everybody.” He said. 

Once Pedroia and his teammates took to the streets, they were rapidly assaulted with a defining barrage of cheers and fists raised to the air as one. We saw Johnny Gomes and Mike Napoli showing their happy blend of childish nature and obscene immaturity as they pumped up the crowd and we felt Jacoby Ellsbury feeling of the awkward situation while fans near the Prudential Building screamed "STAY! STAY! STAY!". 

But the celebration was interrupted for a necessary acknowledgement of sorrow as the first of the 25 duck boats crossed the Marathon Finish line. 

The boats came to a complete stop before any did cross the, still painted, yellow and blue finish line. Through the crowd it could be seen that the World Series Trophy had been taken from its home on the boat with Jacoby Ellsbury and as it was, Johnny Gomes and Jarrod Saltalamaccia unceremoniously took to the street and came to a halt before the finish line. 

With the trophy in one hand and the famed 617 Jersey that had hung in every Boston dugout since the attack in the other, the two items were placed on top of one another and after some adjustments of the jersey, Gomes stood back and put an arm around Saltlamaccia as the near 6,000 in that portion of the route sang an assisted version of God Bless America. Tears were plentiful. 

But alas the parade soon resumed as in congruent action with that, so did the cheers, the high fives and the constant ringing of "BOSTON STRONG"

There were people hanging from windows, people piling into tiny balconies and a human behind every window with a view of the parade route. I Phones dotted ones view of the road and it was seen how nearly every one of the 2 million attendees of this parade were politely jockeying to be right as the edge of every inch of the near 4 miles of barricades assembled along the route. You could see through the confetti and hear through the musical yells of the Dropkick Murphys that these Boston Red Sox were genuinely thrilled to be a part of this city wide celebration. As for the fans, the indescribable roar of delight that echoed from Fenway to Copley Square, from Boston to Cambridge and from the parade route into the living rooms of the millions more watching from home described it all. 

We are the champions. No matter how tough we may be, this win more than any other involves more than  the 25 men in the Red Sox locker room. Just as the Marathon Bombing changed the lives of anyone who calls New England home, this Championship belonged to us all. And that is a fact. 

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This is for you Boston: Part 1 - The Team

"This is for you Boston, you've been through a lot, this one's for you!" ~David Ortiz after winning the World Series MVP 

There are times in each of our lives when the happiness we feel cannot be described. But in this case the thing is in most cases what makes that kind of happiness so indescribably memorable is the negativity and horror that preceded it. Not a single person in Massachusetts escaped last April without bearing the newly opened scars solicited by the brutality of the Boston Marathon Bombings of April 15th 2013.

What happened that day killed 3 people and mutilated the bodies and minds of hundreds and even millions across this city and nation. You didn't have to be there in Copley Square, we all felt it, we all panicked and sat glued to our TV screens as Boston was shut down and the Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics cancelled all their games for the week.

"They killed an 8 year old, my son is 8 years old." David Ortiz was reported as saying in the dugout prior to his now famed "This if our f*****g city" speech.

But while the days separating us and that dreadful day turned into weeks and then months we never forgot but we did move forward turning instead to focus on a team that symbolized the spirit of this town. You can knock the Red Sox down but you will never take them out.

They were the only team in baseball without a losing streak longer than 3 games and never went almost 3 months without losing back to back home games. They came back in 27 games. They nabbed 13 walk-offs and above all lost just 65 games. When you look back, so many facets of this, longest season in Red Sox history made it memorable.

You had the beards which were spearheaded by a Mike Napoli who, despite his struggled clocked 23 home runs in 2013. You cheered as David Ortiz recorded his 7th career 30 home run season and you watched with glee as he began his near 10 game playoff tear following his Game Two ALCS grand slam. We watched Johnny Gomes who spent all year magically making something out of nothing en route to a spectacular 5 pinch hit home runs. His Red Sox were 8-1 in games he started in this playoff run.

And then there was the defense.

Boston sported 2 gold glove award winners in 2013 as Dustin Pedroia played what seemed to be a career year in the field committing just 5 errors in 160 games played. That translates out to about to just .031 errors per game. But in a similar fashion to David Ortiz, Peady lead by more than just example. He was a driving force in the clubhouse and knew from day one the potential that the Red Sox had cultivated in the offseason.

"He had faith in the team even in spring training. In mid-March, Pedroia went to dinner with his agents, Cherington and the team’s owners. They were discussing his eventual contract extension, but he made it clear, even then, that he expected the Red Sox to win – and win big." Fox writer, Ken Rosenthal said in an article the day after the Sox victory. 

As for Boston's other gold glove winner: Shane Victorino, he was as good if not better than Pedroia. But in in a different way.  

Shane notched 122 starts in 2013 and batted just 6 points shy of 300. He belted 61 RBI's in 2013 providing quite a security policy for leadoff hitter Jacoby Ellsbury. As for the defense that got him recognized in the postseason gold glove voting, he made a name for himself by plying right field the same way one would play center. That more often than not translated into running headlong into walls as if the simply were not there.  

Yet the Flyin Hawaiian always came up smiling. Apparently, he likes the feeling of broken ribs. He committed just 3 errors while being responsible for 264 of the near 1,700 that the Red Sox recorded in 2013. That is approximately 15% of team outs all recorded by a man who played just 110 games and spent that time in the outfield.  

He represented his city as well joining the ranks of supporting Bostonians with his post-game comments following Game Six. 

"We are affected in the tragedy, Boston strong" Shane Victorino screamed extending his fist high into the air thereby saluting his town. "That's all I'm gonna say!"

Yet while all the additions that the Red Sox made in preparation for what would be their 3rd Championship run in the past 10 years it was the subtractions that may have went the farthest towards bettering this team for the long run. Fact is, most Sox fans expected the run we saw this year...2 years before it happened. Between Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzolez and the expected excellence of the entire Sox pitching staff, the Red Sox were the overwhelming favorites to win it all in 2011. But as we know things did not work out that way. The 2011 Red Sox surrendered a 9 game September lead in the wildcard to miss the playoffs all together. As Bobby Valentine guided the Sox to a 69 win season in 2012, Kevin Youkolis was dished away to Chicago and nearly 200 million dollars’ worth of contracts were unloaded on LA via the famed Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzolez and Carl Crawford trade.

Beckett and Gozolez in particular were the polar opposite of the surprisingly compatible clubhouse that existed this season. Fact is they would have scoffed in disgust if you asked them to grow a beard and as they did in 2011 they might have even killed the healthy team building themes that brought this 2013 club together.  

By completely erasing the bad names assembled on that so called 2011 "dream team" it made room for the actuall dream team of 2013. Sure there were the additions: Mike Napoli, Johnny Gomes, Koji Uehara, Shane Victorino, David Ross and even Mike Carp but as you look at the numbers it would be safe to say that what made this team so great was the resurgence of the talent they had already cultivated.  

That fact is highlighted best when you look at the gleaming numbers of the Red Sox starting pitching. 

The only difference in starting pitching personnel between 2011 and 2013 was the presence of Josh Beckett. Lester played in 2011, Buchholz and Lackey too. They all were there yet in 2013, those 3 Sox went a combined 33 and 24 through  73 starts in 2011 while flipping it all around 2 years later with 37 wins and just 22 losses. Not only were the 2013 Red Sox putting up wins but they were doing it in every single sort of situation that was put before them. They never quit and when they needed to any Boston starter could realistically be asked to play 8 innings and they would do just that. Much like the framework that guided the LA Dodgers to their spectacular mid-season turnaround over in the NL, the Red Sox relied on the relentless work of a whole host of aces to bring home the wins.

The 2013 Red Sox season was just 15 days old when the bombs went off but even then, even with just over 2 weeks of real game action under their belt, the Red Sox knew one another like family and were ready to take their city on their shoulders and do whatever was necessary to give their fans something to cheer for. 

They hit 178 home runs, came to bat 5651 times and won a total of 108 games over 7 months of near game per day action.  

Yet when future generations look back on this, the greatest statistical, team turnaround in the history of American sports, it will be that last win those last 6 runs and that Koji Uehara strikeout that is remembered. 

The Boston Red Sox are the World Champions but for the hundreds of human beings throughout this organization that has now won 3 titles in 10 years it cannot be stressed how much more occurred this year than could be summed up by those few words. 

"This is our F*****G CITY!" ~ David Ortiz following the Marathon Attacks

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What the Red Sox need out of Jon Lester tonight: Why 8 innings is a must

Jon Lester kicked off the World Series with a rousing 5 hit 8 strikeout Game One performance. Following that 8-1 win that the Sox extended their World Series game winning streak to 9 games over 3 series appearances, it seemed that Boston had the caliber to pull off a 3rd straight series sweep. But we all know what happened next. The Sox lost home field advantage with their loss in Game 2 and then fell behind in the series following that teeth gritting obstruction call that ended Game 3.  

When Jon Lester comes to pitch tonight it will be a whole new situation compared to that surrounding Game One. First and foremost, the scene will be different. Lester went 8-7 on the road this season and posted a road ERA almost a full run higher than his home ERA. However in his 1 road start of this postseason there was no discrepancy between his home and road performance. Lester earned the win in Boston's 4-3 victory in Game 5 of the ALCS. And although he allowed 7 hits in 5.1 innings he limited a potent Tigers attack to just 2 runs. The second and far more prevalent aspect that makes this start different from others is the fact that due to recent events, the Sox bullpen door will be all but pinned shut. They have no fresh pitchers, a fact that was emphasis by John Lackey pitching out of the pen last night. In addition to that, the guys who are fresh are not desirable in clutch situations. Craig Breslow has been slipping of late and has solicited just ONE out in 3 appearances. But he is not the only man who is struggling. Ryan Dempster had flopped in the pen this postseason allowing a home run in his lone appearance back in Game 1. As for starters converted relievers like Lackey, that is not an option tonight. Lackey will be starting on Wednesday and after Clay Buchholz barely made his start yesterday, he is not an option. You can cross out Jake Peavy and then with Lester starting tonight, that is it. 

Finally, even guys who are already in the bullpen will not be available tonight as a combination of previous long stints of relief and the looming possibility of a game seven in which they will likely have to fill in for upwards of 6 innings means Workman and Dubront will need to be monitored work wise.  

There is no doubt about it, a win tonight is crucial for both teams and for the Sox to win, we know that Jon Lester needs to be good. As you delve deeper 'good' means innings. At least 8 of them. 

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Shane Victorino a late scratch from Red Sox game 4 lineup, David Ross put in for Jarrod Saltilamaccia

Shane Victorino might as well be named Shane Victory.

With his Game Six grand slam in the ALCS or his willingness to sprint headlong into walls all season long, the Sox left fielder has proved to be one of the most likable players on this Red Sox team. But nevertheless, he like so many other players on this team, has sustained injury over the past 6+ months and after he was beaned in the back last night, Shane's tolerance of his injuries might have run out.

Less than an hour before Game Four began, John Farrell announced that his prized right fielder had been scratched from the lineup. As a result of that move, Danial Nava will move to right field and Johnny Gomes will march out to play left field. The Red Sox are 7-1 in playoff games in which Gomes starts as the presence of Boston's gritty bearded workhorse has always worked wonders on and off the field.

Furthermore, Victorino was not the only scratch from tonight's game. After catcher Jarrod Saltilamaccia shouldered the majority of the blame for last night's errant throw and ensuing obstruction call, he was finally benched to make room for skilled defensive catcher: David Ross.

"We're looking to get some spark, get some offense going," manager John Farrell said before Sunday's game. "That's why David is in there today."

Ross has made just 3 playoff starts this postseason but in that time he has not been bad. Now granted his offensive numbers are nothing compared to those of Saltilamaccia but nevertheless, the Sox backup catcher has belted 4 hits in 13 at bats to compile an average of .357. As for his defense, the single error in 36 regular season games speaks volumes compared to the 6 committed by Saltilamaccia. It calms Red Sox fans who will be forever haunted by the sight of that ball whistling past 3rd base last night.  

The lack of Victorino hitting number 2 will certainly be noticed in Game Four but with so many weapons on offence the ADDITION of David Ross on defense will likely balance it all out.  

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How are those fingernails?: Patriots pull out insane 2nd half comeback to drop Miami 27-17

As you look back on these past 2 weeks, it is a miracle that any Boston sports fan has any fingernails left to bite. 

You have seen the Brady-Thompkins game winning TD pass and then just hours later you saw David Ortiz belt a grand slam to tie Game Two of the ALCS  and set the stage for Jarrod Saltilamaccia to win the game and tie the series 1 game apiece. 4 games later, it was the long ball once again that brought us out of our seats as Shane Victorino in theory smacked home the long ball that sent the Red Sox to the World Series.  

And then there was the Patriots who, after pushing their Week 7 game with the Jets into overtime saw their hopes dashed by a never before called penalty. But even after all of that, we would soon come to realize that the drama had not concluded. On Saturday night, the Bruins saw a 3-2 lead turn into a 4-3 loss right before their eyes all in a matter of seconds and then hours later the Red Sox squeaked out an insane Game 3 of the World Series only to lose on a questionable obstruction call at 3rd base.  

For better or worse, it has seemed that greater forces have been renting permanent suites at Boston area sporting events and after two weeks of insanity those forces showed us that they were not ready to leave Gillette Stadium yet. 

After going 2 and 1 over the past 3 weeks, it was no military secret that in order to keep pace as a top team in the NFL, the Patriots needed a win this afternoon. But for the Patriots, the motivation tonight drove far deeper the simply the win loss record. Over the past 3 weeks, New England had lost its identity as well as several key players. As the QB of a team devoid of Vince Wilfork, Jerod Mayo and in scattered stints, Danny Amendola Tom Brady needed to be perfect and since New England's 30-23 victory in Atlanta he had not been. Since Atlanta, Brady had complied just 1 touchdown pass and had put up a combined quarterback rating of 35.3. He was not simply playing unacceptable football, he was playing BAD football.  

That trend continued through the first 30 minutes of Sunday's game with Miami.  

Through those 2 quarters, Brady put up just 25 yards through the air and struggled to even get the ball past midfield. It was obvious that he had no trust in most anybody but Julian Edelman, Gronkowski or Ammendola and when those three guys got covered, Tom was lost. The Patriots ended the half trailing 17-3. The boos began to rain down and for the first time since 2003, Tom Brady failed to compile more than 30 yards in a half. Yet by the time the Patriots reemerged from the locker room prior to the 3rd quarter, everything had changed. After New England surrendered an early punt to kick off the 3rd quarter, the Dolphins marched up the field and seemed poised to strike until a fearsome 9 yard sack of Miami QB: Ryan Tannahil pushed them into a field goal situation. The wind was fighting kicker Caleb Sturges all the way and though it helped him convert on a late 2nd quarter kick, it hindered his efforts here in the 3rd and changed the tide of the game. Sturges clanked the 46 yard attempt off the right upright and gave New England the ball on the 36 yard line. From there it took New England just 5 plays to march the ball up the field and power a 14 yard TD pass into the mitts of Aaron Dobson. That touchdown pass moved Brady up to 4th on the all-time list. 

Goskowski would convert on the extra point but for New England that was only the start of the rally. They were still down 17-10 and needed 1 more touchdown to tie the game. That nearly came just 45 seconds later as after just 1 play, Tannahill was sacked and promptly fumbled the ball which was soon scooped up by Patriot Rob Nincovich. Now at first glance it appeared that Nincovich hopped back to his feet after recovering the ball untouched meaning that after he marched into the end-zone the score would count. But looks can be deceiving as it was shown in film that Rob was in fact touched by the shoulder of a Miami offensive lineman before he got back to his feet. 

Yet regardless of that, the ball was still seated comfortably inside the 5 yard-line and before long it would be marched in for the touchdown. Game tied, 17-17. 

The Patriots would add on a game winning touchdown in the 4th quarter and as the clock expired, the boos that were heard echoing around Gillette Stadium following the 1st half seemed far off. The elation spinning inside the mind of Patriots coach: Bill Belichick was shown on his face but even more so, it was shown in the win column. Tom Brady threw just 116 yards through the air and still blasted a pick to start the game but in the end he came through when he needed to most. New England forced 3 turnovers an improved their run game combining for 152 yards and watching as Stephan Ridley put up 79 yards on the ground.  

"The momentum always kind of goes back-and-forth as the game goes on." Tom Brady said post-game "You love to have those momentum plays. We had the touchdown to Gronk [Rob Gronkowski] that got called back on the holding penalty – that would have been a big play. It's up and own and you just try to stay focused on your execution and stay focused on what you need to do." 

Brady was not perfect but today he did not half to. It was a team effort and frankly if you can get away with playing as bad as you did in the first half and still grind out the win, it becomes clear the pure potential that sits within your locker room. 

As for the hand of Tom Brady that has been noted by countless reporters as being swollen, Brady insists that he is fine. 

"I didn’t know [how] anyone knows what the back of my right hand looks like, but it looks fine to me and it feels good. I’ll be out there next week; you don’t have to worry about that."

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