2008 Woodie Awards
Pats start new streak
Amanda Cudmore
Issue date: 11/13/04 Section: Sports
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One week after the storied 21-game win streak came to a close, the New England Patriots began a new streak-starting back at one against the St. Louis Rams. The Pats started their winning streak by defeating them 40-22. The Patriots pride themselves as a true team, with no one player more important than the next. On Sunday as the star players lined up next to recently signed undrafted practice squad members, attitude above all else led them to victory.
The Patriots defense was able to stop the potent Rams offense, despite injuries to Cornerbacks Ty Law and Tyrone Poole. Earthwind Moreland, Randall Gay, Dexter Reid, and offensive star Troy Brown kept the Rams receivers at bay, holding quarterback Mark Bulger to 23 of 33 attempted completions, 285 yards and just two touchdowns. The Patriots got a scare early when cornerback Asante Samuel left the game with a shoulder injury. Samuel showed perseverance as he returned late in the game. The defense held the Rams to just 81 rushing yards on the day, as Rodney Harrison led the defense with seven tackles.
In addition to big plays by the defense, the Patriots offense returned to its scoring ways this week. After scoring just 20 points last week, the Patriots were able to double that, despite missing wide receiver Deion Branch who was out again with a knee injury. Quarterback Tom Brady completed 18 passes for 234 yards with two touchdowns. While those numbers are not spectacular, Brady once again got the most important thing done for this team: the win. Brady now has 1,894 yards on the season, along with 15 touchdowns.
Runningback Corey Dillon, after being listed with a probable thigh injury before the game, returned with 112 yards rushing and a touchdown. Dillon is currently averaging 4.9 yards per carry. The Pats got six in the first quarter, all off the foot of kicker Adam Vinatieri.
The Rams defense, not their offense, was able to be the first to get the Rams on the board. When Brady fumbled in the end zone, the ball was recovered by Leonard Little, giving the Rams six points. Brady quickly answered, and again gave the Pats the lead with a two-yard pass to tight end Mike Vrable. After an 11-yard pass from Bulger to wide receiver Isaac Bruce, the Rams once again were within striking distance. Vinatieri finished up the half with two more field goals, leaving the score at halftime 19-14.
The Pats began the third quarter with some trickery as Vinatieri lined up for his fifth field goal attempt of the night. When the ball was snapped directly to Vinatieri, he caught it and completed a four-yard pass to Brown. Both teams would score again in the fourth quarter, but the game was out of the reach of the Rams, and the Patriots had once again left the Rams fans going home disappointed.
With the win, the Patriots improved their record to 7-1, as they sit atop the AFC East, ahead of the New York Jets, who are now 6-1. The Patriots will host former quarterback Drew Bledsoe and the 3-5 Buffalo Bills this Sunday with a kickoff time at 8:30 p.m.
Senior
History
The Patriots defense was able to stop the potent Rams offense, despite injuries to Cornerbacks Ty Law and Tyrone Poole. Earthwind Moreland, Randall Gay, Dexter Reid, and offensive star Troy Brown kept the Rams receivers at bay, holding quarterback Mark Bulger to 23 of 33 attempted completions, 285 yards and just two touchdowns. The Patriots got a scare early when cornerback Asante Samuel left the game with a shoulder injury. Samuel showed perseverance as he returned late in the game. The defense held the Rams to just 81 rushing yards on the day, as Rodney Harrison led the defense with seven tackles.
In addition to big plays by the defense, the Patriots offense returned to its scoring ways this week. After scoring just 20 points last week, the Patriots were able to double that, despite missing wide receiver Deion Branch who was out again with a knee injury. Quarterback Tom Brady completed 18 passes for 234 yards with two touchdowns. While those numbers are not spectacular, Brady once again got the most important thing done for this team: the win. Brady now has 1,894 yards on the season, along with 15 touchdowns.
Runningback Corey Dillon, after being listed with a probable thigh injury before the game, returned with 112 yards rushing and a touchdown. Dillon is currently averaging 4.9 yards per carry. The Pats got six in the first quarter, all off the foot of kicker Adam Vinatieri.
The Rams defense, not their offense, was able to be the first to get the Rams on the board. When Brady fumbled in the end zone, the ball was recovered by Leonard Little, giving the Rams six points. Brady quickly answered, and again gave the Pats the lead with a two-yard pass to tight end Mike Vrable. After an 11-yard pass from Bulger to wide receiver Isaac Bruce, the Rams once again were within striking distance. Vinatieri finished up the half with two more field goals, leaving the score at halftime 19-14.
The Pats began the third quarter with some trickery as Vinatieri lined up for his fifth field goal attempt of the night. When the ball was snapped directly to Vinatieri, he caught it and completed a four-yard pass to Brown. Both teams would score again in the fourth quarter, but the game was out of the reach of the Rams, and the Patriots had once again left the Rams fans going home disappointed.
With the win, the Patriots improved their record to 7-1, as they sit atop the AFC East, ahead of the New York Jets, who are now 6-1. The Patriots will host former quarterback Drew Bledsoe and the 3-5 Buffalo Bills this Sunday with a kickoff time at 8:30 p.m.
Senior
History