The New England Patriots won in blowout fashion with the same style we’ve seen all year.
The New England Patriots had their most impressive victory of the 2020 NFL season in Los Angeles against the Chargers on Sunday. The team’s 45-0 blowout of the Chargers was the first game this season in which the team was able to relax a little bit in the fourth quarter and enjoy the win. Most of the team’s wins have still been in doubt during the game’s final possessions.
What we saw in Sunday’s game against the Chargers is what we have to assume was the team’s plan for success all season long. The team used all three phases of football to control the game and pound the Chargers into submission. For one day, it looked like a wildly successful formula.
Offensively, the Patriots were not spectacular, but they were physical. More importantly, despite two fumbles, the offense did not have any turnovers. This is the way the team may have envisioned the offense during training camp.
Cam Newton is not blessed with many offensive weapons, but the team has a solid offensive line and a developing physical running attack headed by Newton and Damien Harris. Even though Newton is known for running ability, he is more physical than the average running quarterback and he is the team’s best goal-line threat.
Newton added two more rushing touchdowns on Sunday and now has 11 on the season. His two on Sunday were both close to the goal line and not mad dash scrambles from 20 yards out. Harris is physical if not bruising. He is not always spectacular but is still averaging 5.1 yards per carry. Harris has 641 yards on the season and 211 have been after contact.
New England Patriots defense, special teams continues to step up down the stretch.
Defensively, the Patriots were able to keep the Chargers in difficult third-down situations which allowed them to turn up the heat in the pass rush which allowed the corners to play at their best. Too often this season, the Patriots have been carved up in the running game which led to no obvious passing downs. The defense showed what they can do albeit against a rookie quarterback playing behind a subpar offensive line.
You cannot discredit what the Patriots defense can be capable of when clicking on all cylinders. Stephon Gilmore practically erased Justin Herbert’s security blanket with his coverage on Keenan Allen. The team was able to sack Herbert three times with 11 QB hits. All of this forced Herbert into two interceptions and only 209 yards passing. Herbert looked uncomfortable all afternoon.
The Patriots’ special teams unit was also more than solid on Sunday. Not only were they able to play the field position game thanks to another stellar game from punter Jake Bailey, but they also managed two special teams touchdowns.
Gunner Olszewski returned a punt for a touchdown and this time there were no flags to call it back. Devin McCourty also picked up a blocked field goal and returned it for a touchdown. Nick Folk was also perfect with his lone field-goal attempt and all of his extra-point attempts.
Bill Belichick will not say it publicly, but I am sure he was very happy to see his team run like a well-oiled machine on Sunday. They finally do not have a losing record again and they still have a chance at a playoff berth. To keep that hope alive, they will have to do it again on Thursday night against the Rams.