Ups & Downs: Patriots Head Into Bye Week After Dominating Performance
BOSTON (CBS) -- That was an old-fashioned butt-kicking at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.
The Jaguars didn't stand a chance as Tom Brady and the Patriots continue their "scorched earth" tour through the NFL, improving to 3-0 on the season with a 51-17 win over Jacksonville.
The Patriots offense scored on nine of their 10 possessions, and the only time they didn't put points on the board was their final possession of the day, when Jimmy Garoppolo took a few kneel downs to end it. New England had 35 first downs in this one, tying a franchise record.
Bill Belichick wanted a full 60-minute game this weekend, and he certainly got it Sunday afternoon.
Watch: Dan Roche's 3 Takeaways From Blowout Win
Like last week, we aren't going with the conventional 4 Ups and 4 Downs, because you'd really have to nitpick to find four downs from the Pats in this one (Belichick didn't throw the challenge flag hard enough in the first half!). Here are some takeaways that will have to last you a couple of weeks, as we head into New England's early season bye week.
Ups
Mr. 400
It's ridiculous how good Tom Brady is right now. He completed 33 of his 42 pass attempts for 358 yards and a pair of touchdowns, including career touchdown pass No. 400 of his career. Brady connected with Danny Amendola for a six-yard score just before halftime to hit the milestone, adding a 13-yard score to rookie Keyshawn Martin in the third quarter. Brady is just the fourth quarterback to join the NFL's 400 club.
Brady is locked-in to start the season, as he heads into a week of rest with 1,112 yards, nine touchdowns and no interceptions on the season. Imagine what he'll do with two weeks to prepare for the Dallas Cowboys.
Blount Scores A Hat Trick
One week after getting just two carries against the Bills, LeGarrette Blount took three carries into the end zone. He finished the game with 78 yards on 18 carries and showed off that "Blount Force Trauma" on a few runs, including a run in the fourth quarter where he was stopped at the line but broke free to pick eight yards.
Another 100-Yard Game For Gronk
Rob Gronkowski didn't find the end zone, but he had four receptions for 101 yards. He now has 17 career 100-yard games, adding to his own franchise record.
Gronk was also big in the blocking game, in which he helped spring running back Dion Lewis on his eight-yard touchdown scamper in the first quarter.
Stephen Gostkowski
The man is as cool as a cucumber. He was a perfect 3-for-3 on field goal attempts, and nailed all six of his extra points. He broke the NFL record for most consecutive PATs in a career, and is now up to 424 without a miss.
When was the last time Gostkowski missed an extra point? He's only done it once in his career, and it was all the way back in Week 17 of his rookie season in 2006.
Gostkowski doesn't get enough credit for such a long string of consistency, both on extra points and from nearly everywhere on the field.
McCourty's First Pick Of Season
After signing a big contract in the offseason, we didn't see much of McCourty over the first two weeks. But he had a great read of what Blake Bortles wanted to do throughout the game, and came away with his first interception of the season because of it. He was around the ball all afternoon and was in the perfect position when Bortles overthrew Mercedes Lewis late in the second quarter, setting up a touchdown drive for the Patriots offense just before the half (and Brady's 400th to boot).
Keshawn Martin Solid In Patriots Debut
The receiver was active for the first time of the season, and made the most of his opportunity. Martin had three catches for 33 yards on three targets, including an 13-yard score in the third quarter.
Slater Doesn't Bite On Fake Punt
Practice always makes perfect, and Matthew Slater was a shining example of that against the Jaguars.
A desperate Jacksonville team tried a little trickeration, going for a fake punt on a 4th-and-8 late in the third quarter. But Slater stayed at home and was able to track down Corey Grant before he could move the chains. It was a play New England practiced defending during the week, and Bill Belichick said running back James White was able to convert in practice.
But in the game, when it mattered, Slater was able to make the stop. Practice makes perfect.
Downs
Big Plays
The big play still haunted the Patriots' D in this one, as they surrendered a 59-yard touchdown in the third quarter. The New England secondary has given up 10 completions of 20 or more yards so far this season. They also struggled on third own at times, allowing Jacksonville to convert on six of their 12 third down attempts.
Danny Gave The Ball Away
It was nice of Danny Amendola to give a fan a very unique souvenir, but that was one Brady probably wanted to hang onto. Don't worry though; a Patriots team official did retrieve the ball.
