Patriots-Jaguars Live Blog: Pats Crush Jags 51-17
Final -- Patriots 51, Jaguars 17: The Patriots head into their bye week one a high note, pummeling the Jacksonville Jaguars 50-10 at Gillette Stadium.
Tom Brady was near perfect again, throwing for 358 yards and two touchdowns, including career touchdown pass No. 400 in the first half. Brady is up to nine touchdown passes for the season.
Danny Amendola was the recipient of TD pass No. 400, finishing with five catches for 39 yards. Rob Gronkowski chipped in with four receptions for 101 yards, and Julian Edelman added 85 yards on eight receptions.
The ground attack had it going as well, as LeGarrette Blount ran for three touchdowns and Dion Lewis added 67 total yards and a rushing score.
The Patriots scored on nine of their 10 drives, and the only time they didn't put points on the board was when Jimmy Garoppolo took a few knees at the end of the game.
The New England defense held Jacksonville to just 250 total yards, with Devin McCourty picking off Blake Bortles in the first half for his first interception of the season.
4th Quarter, 1:22: It's Jimmy Time at Gillette!
4th Quarter, 1:22 -- Patriots 51, Jaguars 17: Bortles hits Harbor for a six-yard strike, and another opponent has a garbage touchdown against the Patriots.
4th Quarter, 2:00: Two minutes to go in this one, and it's safe to say the Patriots have this one.
4th Quarter, 3:31 -- Patriots 51, Jaguars 10: LeGarrette Blount completes the hat trick with a one-yard touchdown run and the Patriots have put up 51 points on the Jaguars.
Blount is up to 78 yards on 18 carries, capping off a 17-play, 9:47 drive with his third touchdown of the afternoon.
The Patriots have 35 first downs today, which ties a franchise record.
4th Quarter, 7:55: More records for Tom Brady!
He was also just sacked for the second time today, so maybe Jimmy Time should get here. Soon.
We haven't hit Jimmy Time yet, as Tom Brady is heading back out there for another drive.
4th Quarter, 14:57: Patriots 44, Jaguars 10: One play into the final quarter of the game, and the Patriots are in the end zone again.
Blount took it in from a yard out for his second score of the game.
End of 3rd Quarter -- Patriots 37, Jaguars 10: The Pats are threatening again with the ball on the Jacksonville 1, thanks to a 17-yard connection between Brady and tight end Scott Chandler.
3rd Quarter, 1:56: The Patriots forced another three-and-out, but needed a special teams stand to get the offense back on the field.
The Jags went for a fake punt at their own 22, but captain Matthew Slater was there to stop Corey Grant before he could pick up the first down.
3rd Quarter, 3:18 -- Patriots 37, Jaguars 10: It didn't take long for Brady to connect on the 401st touchdown pass of his career.
Brady bought some time in the pocket and hit rookie Keyshawn Martin for a 13-yard strike, making it seven straight scoring drives for the New England offense.
Gostkowski was perfect on the point after, setting an NFL record with his 423rd consecutive extra point.
Blount also contributed with a nice 18-yard run on a 2nd-and-2 play, and is up to 58 yards for the afternoon.
3rd Quarter, 6:15 -- Patriots 30, Jaguars 10: Third downs have not been friendly to the Patriots today.
The Jaguars have their first touchdown of the afternoon -- a 59-yard strike from Bortles to Hurns.
Malcolm Butler was on the coverage, but Duron Harmon had a chance to take Hurns down. He whiffed badly on the tackle attempt, if you could call it that.
Jacksonville is now 6-for-10 on third downs today.
3rd Quarter, 9:04 -- Patriots 30, Jaguars 3: The Patriots are 6-for-6 on their drives today, with LeGarrette Blount rushing for his first touchdown of the season on their latest drive.
This came off a pair of huge penalties for the Jaguars. New England got 52 yards on a defensive pass interference call, and then a House interception was whipped out thanks to another PI on the Jags in the end zone. The drive will go down as a one-play, 67-yard drive for New England.
3rd Quarter, 9:46: We have a James White sighting!
The running back caught a pass out of the backfield to start New England's drive, but it was whipped out by Gronk's second offensive PI penalty of the game.
3rd Quarter, 09:50: A quick three-and-out for the Jaguars on their first possession of the second half. Bortles is looking for Robinson, but isn't having much luck connecting with the gifted receiver.
The Pats will take over at their own 33 after an 8-yard punt return by Edelman.
3rd Quarter, 10:50 -- Patriots 23, Jaguars 3: Whenever the Patriots have touched the football this afternoon, they've put points on the board.
After Tom Brady was sacked on a 3rd-and-12 on the Jacksonville 28, the first time the Jags D has gotten to Brady this afternoon, the Pats settled for three more on their first drive of the second half.
Stephen Gostkowski booted a 46-yarder and is a perfect 3-for-3 on field goal attempts for the afternoon. He's now 7-for-7 on field goal attempts for the season.
3rd Quarter, 11:33: Jacksonville corner Davon House is hurt after a collision with Rob Gronkowski.
House ran right into Gronk, who looked to be a bit shaken up after the collision but quickly shrugged it off. House wasn't as fortunate.
3rd Quarter, 13:59: Rob Gronkowski has already passed the 100-receiving yard mark on the day. He went over the century mark with a 21-yard reception to set New England up at the Jacksonville 36.
It's the 17th career 100-yard game for Gronkowski, padding his own franchise record.
Halftime -- Patriots 20, Jaguars 3: It's gone a little slower than expected, but the Patriots bring a three-score lead into the locker room and will get the ball to start the second half.
The story right now is Brady throwing the 400th touchdown pass of his career, an accomplishment only three other players have achieved. Brady's three-yard touchdown to Danny Amendola put the Pats up 20-3, and gave Brady 202 passing yards on the day.
Birthday boy Dion Lewis has 37 rushing yards on eight carries, adding 30 more yards on five receptions.
2nd Quarter, 0:18 -- Patriots 20, Jaguars 3: And there it is. Tom Brady hit Danny Amendola for a three-yard touchdown, his 400th career touchdown pass.
"Brady! Brady! Brady!" chants have erupted at Gillette Stadium, as Brady now joins Peyton Manning, Brett Favre and Dan Marino in the 400 club.
2nd Quarter, 0:30: A 27-yard connection between Brady and Gronkowski, plus a roughing the passer penalty, has New England set up at the Jacksonville 3-yard line.
The Jags might want to cover Gronk, who was open again over the middle.
2nd Quarter, 1:43: Devin McCourty has been around the ball throughout the first half, and he just came up with his first interception of the season.
McCourty picked off a bad Bortles overthrow intended for Lewis, returning it 27 yards to the New England 43. McCourty has been keeping an eye on Borles all day, and it finally resulted in a pick.
2nd Quarter, 2:00: With 2 minutes to go in the first half, the Jaguars have the ball at the New England 45.
2nd Quarter, 3:42 -- Patriots 13, Jaguars 3: Brady went looking for Gronk on 3rd-and-goal, but the big tight end couldn't come down with the pass in the end zone. Instead the Patriots settled for a 20-yard field goal to take a 13-3 lead.
The 14-play drive covered 78 yards in 5:50, with Blount rushing for 25 yards on two carries. He also had a 14-yard reception on the drive.
Brady is 13-for-18 today for 158 yards, but he hasn't been able to connect for career touchdown No. 400.
2nd Quarter, 3:49: Tom Brady went looking for Julian Edelman for TD No. 400 on 2nd-and-goal, but Sergio Brown played some great D and deflected it before it could reach Edelman.
2nd Quarter, 6:33: And there's the LeGarrette Blount we wanted to see at the end of the last week's game. The big back just rumbled for 22 yards to the Jacksonville 20-yard line.
2nd Quarter, 9:26: It didn't take long for Brady to get Martin into the offense, connecting with the receiver on a 13-yard pass on second down.
2nd Quarter, 9:32: LeGarrette Blount and receiver Keyshawn Martin will see their first action of the day in the upcoming drive.
The Patriots are also continuing their offensive line shuffle, with Marcus Cannon coming in at right tackle.
2nd Quarter, 9:32 -- Patriots 10, Jaguars 3: The Jaguars are on the board thanks to a 40-yard field goal by Jason Myers. They stayed out of the end zone thanks to the New England pass rush and a costly penalty.
The Jags could have had the ball on the New England 3 after a 14-yard catch and run by Mercedes Lewis, but an illegal formation whipped out the play the had the Jags facing a 3rd-and-15. Bortles was under heavy pressure by Jamie Collins and overthrew Hurns in the end zone, setting up Myers' boot.
The Patriots have done a good job putting pressure on Bortles, but they allowed Jacksonville to convert on third down three different times on the drive. Jacksonville is actually leading the time of possession battle after the 8:24 drive, 14:09 to 6:19.
2nd Quarter, 11:01: Well then, never mind.
Coleman was happy with his call after reviewing it, and the Patriots have been charged with their second time out in the first half. The Jags now have a fresh set of down at the New England 17.
2nd Quarter, 11:01: Of course this would happen with Tuck Rule ref Walt Coleman on the field.
On a 3rd-and-10 play, Bortles was hit by Jamie Collins as he tried to throw the ball to running back Toby Gerhart. It was ruled a fumble on the field, and Gerhart picked it up to move the chains before being tackled by Chandler Jones (a very smart play by Chandler).
Bill Belichick immediately challenged the ruling on the field, and it looks like this one will be overturned. No tuck rule needed.
End 1st Quarter -- Patriots 10, Jaguars 0: The first quarter is in the books, and the Jaguars have a fresh set of downs at their own 40 when football resumes.
Tom Brady has gone 8-for-10 so far for 112 yards. Julian Edelman leads New England receivers with three receptions, good for 41 yards. Gronk has a pair of receptions for 53 yards, both coming in New England's first drive of the game.
1st Quarter, 2:56 -- Patriots 10, Jaguars 0: We'll have to wait a little longer for No. 400 from Brady.
The Patriots drive stalled in Jacksonville territory after an offensive PI on Rob Gronkowski. That set up a 2nd-and-20 at the Jacksonville 42, and New England had to settle for a 46-yarder off the foot of Stephen Gostkowski to take a 10-0 lead late in the first quarter.
The 10-play drive covered 62 yards in 4:23. The Patriots have out-gained the Jaguars 136-39 so far in this one.
1st Quarter, 7:19: Blake Bortles wasn't sacked at all last week against the Dolphins, but has already hit the turf a couple of times this afternoon.
Jamie Collins and Jabaal Sheard got to Bortles on 3rd-and-12 to set up a Jacksonville punt. Earlier in the drive, Rob Ninkovich applied some heavy pressure on Bortles, forcing him to throw an ill-fated shovel pass that fell incomplete.
The Jaguars did pick up a first down on a 3rd-and-10 connection to tight end Clay Harbor, the first catch by a Jacksonville tight end this season. But the Patriots defense was helped by a holding penalty on the Jags, and some solid pressure on Bortles.
Brady and company will take over on their own 10-yard line.
1st Quarter, 11:55 -- Patriots 7, Jaguars 0: Dion Lewis made a few nice moves and got a great block from Gronkowski as he scampered eight yards into the end zone to put New England on the board early in this one.
It's the second rushing touchdown of the season for Lewis, who turns 25 today. Scoring a touchdown isn't a bad way to celebrate your birthday.
Brady went 3-for-4 on the drive for 56 yards, including 53 yards to Rob Gronkowski on a pair of catches.
1st Quarter, 11:59: The rest of the league still hasn't figured out that you have to cover the big guy wearing No. 87 for New England.
Brady connected with Rob Gronkowski for 43 yards after the Jags left him wide open over the middle of the field. That has the Patriots set up at the Jacksonville 8.
1st Quarter, 13:51: Great first series for Patriots safety Devin McCourty, who was in on a pair of pass breakups as the New England D forced a three-and-out.
McCourty made a great read on QB Blake Bortles on first down, breaking up a deep pass to Allen Robinson. Malcolm Butler was also in on the play.
After a one-yard run by T.J. Yeldon, McCourty was then in on a break-up over the middle of the field, again to Robinson. Rookie Justin Coleman was also in on the play.
Pregame 1:01 p.m.: The Patriots won the coin toss, and deferred to the second half.
Pregame 12:40 p.m.: Patriots president Jonathan Kraft just had some fun at the Ravens expense on 98.5 The Sports Hub.
Joining Marc Bertrand for Patriots Preview, Kraft jokingly said some DeflateGate karma has nothing to do with Baltimore's 0-2 start to the season.
"[Karma] has nothing to do with it. The Ravens are sweethearts," joked Kraft. "John Harbaugh is a sweetheart."
Kraft also said it's way too early to determine if this year's Patriots team is one of those special squads we've seen in the past.
"You know a team is special at the end of the season. We're 2 weeks into an NFL season, and if you think about how a season can swing, think about last year and how it ended up," he said. "It's a great start and great to see the offense firing on all cylinders, our defense play on the road the way they were able to play last week. Those are great signs, but we're a long way from determining if we're seeing something special."
Pregame: 12:25 p.m.: From what they've went with in pregame warmups, it looks like it will be Logan Ryan getting the start opposite Malcolm Butler for the Patriots.
Pregame: 11:35 a.m.: The Patriots inactives are out, and there's an interesting name on the list.
Joining offensive lineman Ryan Wendell, who was declared out on Friday, are defensive lineman Trey Flowers, corner Bradley Fletcher, linebacker Rufus Johnson, tight end Michael Hoomanawanui, safety Tavon Wilson and running back Travaris Cadet.
Fletcher has struggled in the secondary, getting burned on a number of deep passes over the first two weeks, and you have to wonder if Fletcher's time with on the roster is coming to an end. His absence on Sunday will likely lead to more Logan Ryan opposite Malcolm Butler. Rookie corner Justin Coleman is also active, and could see some playing time.
Not spotted on the list are defensive lineman Dominique Easley and running back James White. Easley suffered a hip injury in the season opener, but will make his return this afternoon. White was inactive for last Sunday's game in Buffalo, but will dress over Cadet for this one.
Pregame: 11:22 a.m.: It's a beautiful day for football at Gillette Stadium, where the New England Patriots will go for their third straight win to start the 2015 season.
Standing in their way are the 1-1 Jacksonville Jaguars, who are coming off an upset win over the Miami Dolphins last Sunday. The Patriots are 9-1 all-time against the Jaguars, and have taken all six regular season meetings since 1996.
Today has the makings to be a pretty special day for Tom Brady, who is one touchdown pass away from becoming just the fourth quarterback in NFL history with 400 career touchdown passes. After throwing seven scores over the first two weeks of the season, chances are very good that Brady reaches another career milestone this afternoon. In his career against the Jaguars, Brady has nine touchdowns passes in four game.
Brady isn't the only member of the Patriots on the cusp of hitting a career milestone. Tight end Rob Gronkowski is one touchdown catch away from becoming just the fifth tight end to catch 60 touchdowns in his career, and if he does it today it would be in record time. Sunday marks just the 68th game for Gronkowski; it took future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez 154 games to reach the 60 touchdown mark, and Antonio Gates 110 games to accomplish the feat. It certainly helps to have Brady throwing you the football, but that's an eye-popping touchdown pace for Gronk.
But as Brady and the Patriots have said all week, individual milestones are not the focus this Sunday afternoon at Gillette. The Patriots are focused on putting a full 60-minute effort on the field, and start the season 3-0 for the ninth time in team history. While many fans have probably taken the Jaguars lightly this week, Bill Belichick has been selling them hard, likely pointing to last week's win over Miami, a team that came into the season with high expectations and one that has often given the Patriots some issues over the years.
The Patriots have their bye week on the horizon, but the focus is squarely on what Gus Bradley (former D coordinator of the Seattle Seahawks) and his Jaguars will throw at them this afternoon.
Stick with CBSBostonsports.com throughout the afternoon for updates before, during and after the game. You can catch Patriots-Jaguars on 98.5 The Sports Hub and WBZ-TV (the flagship stations of the New England Patriots), and following the game stay tuned for three hours of postgame coverage on the Sports Hub and switch over to myTV38 for Patriots 5th Quarter to catch Bill Belichick and Tom Brady's live press conferences!
