Week 6: 1st Half Analysis

Posted by Adam Hart October 18, 2009 at 6:19 pm

Yeah, that’s snow. In October.

Even a snow game can’t get him going. Talking about Tom Brady, of course. A big punt return by Julian Edelman puts the Patriots inside the Red Area on their first drive. But New England can’t muster a first down. Stephen Gostkowski misses wide right on a field goal try.

Maybe the offense is struggling, but New England’s defense has Tennessee’s offense overmatched. Jonathan Wilhite and Darius Butler start at the corner spots, while Derrick Burgess fills in at outside linebacker for Adalius Thomas.

With nowhere else to turn, running back Laurence Maroney is let out of the doghouse, due to an apparent knee injury suffered by Sammy Morris. The snow seems to slow down the game enough for Maroney to make an impact. As evidenced by his 45-yard touchdown run. He shows an appropriate amount of excitement on the sideline for a guy labeled as a bust. Patriots 7 Oilers 0

Showing some life in this winter wonderland, Brady hits Wes Welker for a 48-yard gain — his first 40+ yard pass since beating Jacksonville in the 2007 AFC Divisional Playoff Game. I was in Florida for that game. Today, I’m where it’s snowing. Sigh. This time the field goal is good. Patriots 10 Oilers 0

This weather brings life to the Patriots defense (or it’s just the fact they’re playing an inept Tennessee team), causing and recovering a fumble. Keep it coming, Mother Nature.

It’s cool to call ball season, right? Feeling comfortable enough to pull off some trickery, Brady hits Randy Moss on a 40-yard TD pass — on a flea-flicker. BenJarvus Green-Ellis executes a text book pitch back to Brady, before No. 12’s pass cuts through the wind into Moss’ hands on the duo’s first deep touchdown of the season. It’s looking like snow is good for everyone wearing red this Sunday. Patriots 17 Oilers 0

The Patriots mascot is getting his work in today, celebrating another long touchdown reception with Moss. This one, a 28-yard TD pass from Brady, comes after yet another fumble recovery by New England’s defense. Patriots 24 Oilers 0

The defense refuses to let up, as rookie Darius Butler makes his first-career NFL interception. It comes after learning former UConn teammate Jasper Howard died in an on-campus stabbing early Sunday morning.

Okay, so are we foregoing the second half? Making his first noticeable appearance of 2009, Kevin Faulk takes a screen pass 38 yards down the sideline for a touchdown. Patriots 31 Oilers 0

It’s not even fair at this point, as Brady continues to pick apart this thin Tennessee secondary. This time, it’s a 30-yard TD pass to Welker along the right sideline. He scurries into the end zone untouched. Brady becomes the first player since Donovan McNabb to throw four touchdown passes in a single quarter. Patriots 38 Oilers 0

And that hasn’t been done since 1950, Brady’s fifth touchdown pass of the second quarter. It’s his second such pass to Welker, an out pattern in the corner of the end zone. Patriots 45 Oilers 0

Stats:

• Tom Brady: 24-of- 28 passing, 345 yards, 5 TD
• Randy Moss: 6 receptions, 118 yards, 2 TD
• Wes Welker: 7 receptions, 116 yards, 2 TD