Martellus Bennett Scores a Hat Trick with Tom Brady Back (Video)

Oct 9, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett (88) celebrates his second quarter touchdown against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett (88) celebrates his second quarter touchdown against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

New England Patriots fans knew that Martellus Bennett would bring something special to this team, and he looks like the final piece of the puzzle in Foxboro.

Tom Brady’s return has been, as expected, a real boon for Rob Gronkowski, but the other New England Patriots tight end has been prospering today against the Cleveland Browns. It helps that Cleveland has been leaving him open, such as on this particular touchdown reception, but Bennett should get all the credit for hauling in a whopping three touchdown passes so far today.

Gronk had more targets (six) and receiving yards (72) than Bennett, but the big days that Bennett and Chris Hogan (game-high 114 receiving yards) are having are a testament to Brady.

Bennett and Hogan are talented players and bring skills to the table that the Patriots badly needed. But I have to give Brady some praise too, because he’s seamlessly integrated them into the offense. Brady was suspended for four games and is making his 2016 debut today, yet the chemistry he’s shown with both Bennett and Hogan has been pretty much at the level of the chemistry he has with Gronk and Julian Edelman.

Last week, Bennett looked like the only player who showed up in the Patriots shutout loss to the Buffalo Bills as he had his second 100-yard receiving game of the season. He might not hit 100 in Week 5, but his third touchdown left him just two yards away from notching 300 receiving yards on the season thus far.

Next: Week 5 Games You Have To Watch

In the third quarter, the Patriots were up 30-7 on the Browns. And Brady had a 137.8 QB Rating with 330 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. All hail the GOAT.

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