Week 9 Preview – Patriots Edition

By: William Ferran

Gainesville, VA - We have arrived at the mid-way point of the NFL season. And as predicted in our week 1 preview, the New England Patriots defense appeared to be one of the best Patriot defenses ever put together. Eight weeks into the season, the Patriots are 8-0 and their defense is being raved about as one of the best squads ever. Stats like points and yards allowed per game, as well as touchdown-interception ratios through eight weeks have been compared to dominant defenses of the past like the 1985 Chicago Bears, and the 2000 Baltimore Ravens. The Patriots “boogeymen” defense have recorded better statistical figures than both these teams, which won the Lombardi trophy, respectively.

In their week 8 matchup, the Patriots hosted the now 2-5 Cleveland Browns. In the first quarter alone, the defense forced three turnovers and a touchdown scored by linebacker and boogeymen captain Dont’a Hightower. The Browns were held to 13 points and 194 passing yards from second year quarterback Baker Mayfield. Brady and the offense recorded 259 passing yards and two touchdowns, both scored by wide receiver Julian Edelman. Newly acquired wide receiver Mohamed Sanu made his debut as a Patriot, recording 23 yards from two pass catches. 

With this win, head coach Bill Belichick reached his 300th career win in a very poetic manner. Belichick recorded his first playoffwin as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, in a game where he faced Bill Parcels’ Patriots. Fast forward 28 years, Belichick joins the 300th career win club against his former Browns team, being added to the record books with the other only two coaches to achieve such a feat; Don Shula, (347) and George Halas, (324). 

In roster news, this past week the Patriots made changes in personnel following the acquisition of wide receiver Mohamed Sanu. These included the releases of wide receiver Josh Gordon, tight end Eric Tomlinson, and kicker Mike Nugent. In turn, the Patriots signed 11-year veteran kicker Nick Folk, and resigned former Jacksonville Jaguars backup quarterback Cody Kessler. 

Up next, the Patriots are onto Baltimore, visiting the 5-2 Ravens in a Sunday night matchup that could prove to be one of the more challenging games this season thus far. With the dynamic play of Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who leads his team in both passing and rushing yards, and a well-coached defensive squad, the Patriots will face their toughest opponent yet. Count on Belichick with drawing up a defensive scheme that will allow them to control the line of scrimmage and open opportunities for Brady and the offense. This game is scheduled for this Sunday November 3rd, at 8:20PM EST.