Week 4 Preview - Patriots Edition

By: William Ferran

GAINESVILLE VA - With three weeks of the NFL season in the books, many sports analysts and websites are focusing on quarterback performance. In the top ten we find many familiar faces like Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson, new faces like Gardner Minshew, and Jimmy Garoppolo, as well as young studs like Dak Prescott, Carson Wentz, and last year’s league MVP, Patrick Mahomes. But who do many of these analysts and websites consider the top quarterback so far? No other than 42 year old Tom Brady. 

Don’t get me wrong, most of the quarterbacks mentioned are having a phenomenal season and putting up great performances. Mahomes alone is creating a unique style of play not seen before in the league. But yet, Tom Brady is still considered to be among the top, if not the top quarterback in the league. With an average QB rating of 116.5, a completion rate of 68%, seven touchdowns, and no interceptions, you have to wonder…is Tom Brady hiding the fountain of youth? Well, not exactly.

Between a very detailed and strict diet, pliability-focused exercises versus weight training, and a master of loving his routine of warm ups, practices, and film studies, Brady is doing what no other quarterback has done before; playing at the top of the game in his 20th season in one of the most violent and physically demanding sports.

And to top it off, even with the 11 day Antonio Brown circus, the Patriots are 3-0 going into week 4 of the 2019 season. Julian Edelman, (WR), is playing like the Super Bowl 53 MVP; Philip Dorsett, (WR), has greatly increased his chemistry with Brady, and Josh Gordon, (WR), is becoming a reliable option down the field. 

With the trade of Demaryius Thomas to the New York Jets and the release of the polarizing Antonio Brown, the Patriots may look a bit thin in their receiving core. But leave it to Bill Belichick and Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels to find the talent needed. The Patriots worked out four players on Thursday, notably including wide receiver Ryan Grant, who was recently released by the Raiders, as well as tight ends Gabe Holmes, Eric Tomlinson and Ben Koyack. We shall see what comes of it. 

On the defensive front, the Patriots are looking as great as ever. They just became the first team in the Super Bowl era to allow zero passing and zero rushing touchdowns in the first three weeks on the season. Safety Devin McCourty has caught an interception in each game played this season; the rejuvenatedOLB Jamie Collins has had 19 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2 interceptions and a defensive touchdown for 74 yards; and DL Michael Bennett has been a great addition to the defense by helping put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, that has resulted in two sacks. 

This week, the Patriots will be visiting the 3-0 Buffalo Bills for a rare and interesting match of two undefeated rivals in a battle for the AFC East division lead. With a young quarterback in Josh Allen capable of moving the ball, and a feisty Bills defense that have not allowed more than 17 points in a game thus far, this match could present itself as the Patriots first true challenge of the 2019 campaign. The game is schedule for this Sunday September 29th, 1:00PM EDT.