Gold Stars And Penalty Flags From Patriots' Dominant Win Over Vikings
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Patriots got their first victory of the season and they did it in convincing fashion. Here are your Gold Stars and Penalty Flags for New England's win against Minnesota.
Gold Stars
Stevan Ridley
The running back had 25 carries for 101 yards and one touchdown. Plus, many of those yards he got came after initial contact in what was some tough running for Ridley on Sunday. I have to admit, I still hold my breath when he gets the ball and does that spin move, but so far so good.
Chandler Jones
This is the dominant game we have been waiting for from Chandler. He just crushed it on the line and got to the quarterback, and on special teams he had the trifecta: the block, scoop and run for a touchdown. Chandler Jones was special for the whole game.
The Pats defensive backfield
Darrelle Revis, Logan Ryan, Devin McCourty and Kyle Arrington. The first three had interceptions and Arrington got a sack. The Pats were aggressive and that defensive backfield really turned everything around. They closed on the ball extremely quickly and became play-makers when they got turnovers.
The Penalty Flags
Tom Brady
Tom is the leader of that offense but he has got to look to share the rock. Right now he trusts Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski and Shane Vereen. The rest of the wide receiving corps might as well just block. Sure, James Develin gets thrown a ball here and there but Danny Amendola gets nothing and Brandon LaFell doesn't even get a look. Brady is in control of spreading the ball around and if he's just going to throw to favorites, the Pats are going to get beat and those players will have a high risk for injury.
Patriots penalties
Through two games this season, the Patriots have 24 penalties for 263 yards, and that doesn't count the ones that have been declined or were offsetting. New England is the most penalized team in the league. That has to stop. They have to play with a little more discipline. These penalties will eventually come back to haunt them.
Follow Levan Reid on Twitter @LevanReid.
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