Gold Stars, Penalty Flags: Pats Defense Impresses, Gostkowski Sets Record
BOSTON (CBS) – The Pats have the weekend off after playing their most complete game of the season.
The win over the Miami Dolphins was all around solid.
Here are your gold stars and penalty flags.
Gold Stars
- The Pats defense gets a gold star. They stuffed Lamar Miller on the run and they got after Ryan Tannehill in the passing game. Five sacks by the defense including two by Chandler Jones and two interceptions by the secondary. The Dolphins had less than 80 yards offensively at the half. Afterwards, the players in the locker room said they were tired of hearing how physical the Dolphins defense had become. They set out to make a statement and mission accomplished.
- Stephen Gostkowski gets a gold star. He kicks and then sets a record. That's how solid he's become. Twenty-six field goals in a row, that's a franchise record. He never misses extra points. It's easy to take for granted how good he is because in New England, he's so automatic. Trust me, it's not the same around the league. There are some good kickers but Stephen Gostkowski is by far the best in the game.
- The Pats coaching staff gets a gold star. To a man in the locker room, the players said the coaches won this game against the Dolphins. They were prepared and rested. The Pats coaches had a game plan physically and mentally for the team on the short week and it worked. We all know Belichick is the best in the business but his staff is suddenly coming into focus and they all complement each other. This game was proof that everyone, from coaches to players, were on the same page.
The Penalty Flags
- The Dolphins get a penalty flag. Seriously, they had no answer for anything the Pats did plus when was the last time you saw a safety. They deserve the first and only flag thrown. All that hoopla about how they turned the corner and all they did was get wins over Tennessee and Houston before coming to New England. Two wins over two bad teams. No reason to jump up and down.