Super Bowl Champs Start Strong

By Thomas Hanson  |   Sunday, September 11, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

New England Patriots
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After all the pomp and circumstance, the New England Patriots got back to the business they do so very well.

Winning for the 37th time in the last 41 games and for the 21st straight time at Gillette Stadium, the Pats dominated the Oakland Raiders, pulling away in the second half for a sound 30 to 20 win. New England led 30-14 late in the fourth period when Oakland blocked a punt and scored the game's final touchdown.

The 2004 Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady connected
at will with the 2005 Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch. Brady would complete more than 60 percent of his passes over all for better than 300 yards while Branch would haul in 7 balls for 99 yards. Old pro Troy Brown, back playing on offense only, hauled in another 6 for 55 yards.

On defense, the Pats made a major mid-game adjustment, a move that shut down the Raiders in the second half. Having lost all-pro linebackers Teddy Bruschi (stroke), Ted Johnson (retirement) and Roman Phifer (salary cap), the Pats switched from their traditional 3-4 defensive alignment to a 4-3. In the early part of the game, the Raiders kept pace with the Pats offensively but with a dominant group of four down lineman, the Pats were able to put a great deal more pressure on Kerry Collins as the game wore on.

Belichick will still have plenty to work on as New England prepares for their trip to Carolina next week. A blocked punt and a blocked extra point will lead to some major special teams work this week. The Patriots will also need to polish up a running game that averaged an Antwan Smith-like 2.4 yards a carry.
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