Patriots-Lions LIVE Blog: Pats Crush Lions 34-9 To Improve To 9-2
BOSTON (CBS) -- Follow along for all the updates from Sunday's Patriots-Lions game at Gillette.
Final -- Patriots 34, Lions 9: The Patriots are a pretty good football team, and can beat you whatever way it takes.
Last week against Indy, it was with the run. This week against the Lions, the top defense in the NFL, it was through the air.
Brady completed 38 of his 53 passing attempts for 349 yards and two touchdowns. The Patriots put up 439 total yards against the Lions, and improve to 9-2 on the season.
The offense was a little stagnant in the second half, but they still put up a 34 points, the most Detroit has allowed this season. Edelman led all receivers with 11 receptions, while LaFell led the way with 89 yards.
Calvin Johnson was pretty much shut down in this one with just four receptions for 58 yards on 10 targets.
Up next for New England is the 8-3 Packers, who held on to beat the Vikings 24-21 in Minnesota. The way these two teams are playing, that could very well be a Super Bowl preview.
Stick with CBSBostonsports.com throughout the night for more on this win over the Lions, and tune into the postgame shows by 98.5 The Sports Hub and WBZ-TV. The Hub has three hours of postgame coverage coming your way, and you can catch Tom Brady and Bill Belichick's press conferences live on Patriots 5th Quarter on myTV38.
4th Quarter, 1:53 -- Patriots 34, Lions 9: Another set of downs leads to another Blount touchdown for New England.
The back has 78 yards on his 12 carries to go with his two scores. Not a bad debut in his Patriots return for Blount.
The 34 points ties a season-high given up by the Lions this season.
4th Quarter, 1:57: Oh those Lions.
The Patriots get a fresh set of downs after CJ Mosley hits Danny Aiken on Stephen Gostkowki's field goal attempt.
4th Quarter, 2:00: This one is all but done, as the Patriots will face a fourth-and-goal on the Detroit 2-yard line when we return from the two minute warning.
4th Quarter, 3:51: The Patriots went for it on a fourth-and-three, with Brady connecting with LaFell for a 16-yard pickup.
It was a great diving catch for LaFell, but he may have injured himself on the play. It looked like he was favoring his left arm or shoulder on his way to the sidelines.
LaFell has been huge today with nine receptions for 98 yards.
4th Quarter, 6:23: Jamie Collins put a big hit on Matthew Stafford, causing the QB to throw a pick for Logan Ryan. It's Ryan's second pick of the season.
The Patriots will now take over at their own 35.
4th Quarter, 7:03: Nothing doing for the Patriots offense on that drive, but did you know that Robert Kraft has a flip phone? And wears hip sneakers?
Joe Buck and Troy Aikman are kind of bored with this one. And we're all kind of bored of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman.
4th Quarter, 10:22: Dan Connolly just limped off the field for New England. The offensive line has done a great job today keeping Tom Brady clean, so we'll have to keep an eye on this one for the rest of the game, and potentially throughout the week.
4th Quarter, 11:25: Yes, they're 7-3 (for now), but they're still the Detroit Lions.
The Pats gave up a fourth down conversion -- a 17-yard catch by Ross -- but forced another fourth down just a few plays later. Stafford tried to pick up the first down with his legs, but instead slid a few feet short of the market to give the ball back to the Patriots.
4th Quarter, 13:56: Jim Caldwell challenged an obvious incomplete to Julian Edelman, but only did so after the Patriots threatened to go for it on the ensuing fourth-and-1 play.
That's so Jim Caldwell it hurts.
The Lions will now take over at their own 31 after a 43-yard punt by Allen.
4th Quarter, 14:48 -- Patriots 27, Lions 9: The Lions were threatening, but the Patriots hold them to their third field goal of the day.
Jim Caldwell looked pretty content on settling for another three points. Then again, Jim Caldwell looks pretty content with just about everything, all the time.
Brandon Browner made a nice play on third down to break up a potential Calvin Johnson reception that would have kept the drive alive. The Lions are just 5-for-14 on third down today.
End 3rd Quarter -- Patriots 27, Lions 6: We head to the fourth quarter with the Lions driving.
Calvin Johnson just made a ridiculous catch on the sideline, securing a Stafford as he fell to the ground for a 22 yard gain. That set the Lions up at the New England 27.
3rd Quarter, 3:01: Nothing doing for New England, with another three-and-out. It's their first since their first two drives of the game.
Brady went to Vereen on first and second down, with the back picking up two yards on first down but then losing four on second. Then Brady was too low for Gronk over the middle, and the Pats were forced to punt.
3rd Quarter, 4:26: The Patriots forced a three-and-out and got a great return by Edelman -- a 74-yard touchdown -- but it was negated by a Patrick Chung block in the back.
Overall, Chung has had a pretty good game on the defensive side of the ball, so we won't rag on him too much for this one. But if the Patriots don't get anything on the drive, it may be worth revisiting.
3rd Quarter, 5:05 -- Patriots 27, Lions 6: New England gets three more points on a 43-yarder by Gostkowski, but could have had more.
Brady just overthrew Edelman deep down the field on a second-and-9 try, which could have resulted in six points or set the Patriots up inside the Detroit 5.
Blount had a nice 23-yard run on the drive though, giving him 29 yards on his four carries.
There is some good news: Arrington is back out on the field for the kickoff.
3rd Quarter, 9:10: Corner Kyle Arrington just went down with what looks like a neck or back injury.
Arrington made a nice play to keep Ross from picking up a first down on a third-and-11 play, but took a shot from teammate Duron Harmon.
3rd Quarter, 11:57: It looked like the Patriots were going to add to their lead at the start of the second half, but old friend James Ihedigbo had different plans.
Ihedigbo, the former UMass Minuteman, picked off Brady as the Pats QB went looking for Rob Gronkowski near the goal line. The most impressive part of the pick was Ihedigbo didn't fall to the ground with an injury following the play.
The refs could have thrown a PI flag on Detroit, but it wasn't a very good pass by Brady.
The Pats looked to be in a good groove on that drive. Shane Vereen had a nice 17-yard catch and run and followed that up with a solid nine-yard run. Wright had a nice third down reception to pick up 16 yards and move the chains, and it was even more impressive seeing that he wasn't wide open.
The Lions now take over at their own 2-yard line.
Halftime -- Patriots 24, Lions 6: The Patriots add three more points just before the half thanks to the porous Lions secondary.
They left Rob Gronkowski wide open over the middle of the field -- twice -- letting the big tight end pick up 47 yards on back-to-back plays to set up a 35-yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski.
The Patriots continued their dominance over opponents in the second quarter, outscoring Detroit 17-3. The Patriots are now outscoring opponents 142-46 in the second quarter this season.
This gameplan is much different from last week, when the Patriots ran the ball with authority against a poor Indy run defense. This week, they're attacking Detroit's poor secondary, and having just as much success.
Tom Brady is 21-for-27 with 233 yards and two touchdowns, both to tight end Tim Wright. Brandon LaFell leads everyone with 71 receiving yards on six catches, with Julian Edelman hauling in seven catches for 63 yards.
Brady's young daughter must have loved that first half: http://instagram.com/p/vwMy1oHtNQ/
The Pats ran the ball just six times in the first half.
Golden Tate is the one thorn in New England's side with three receptions for 83 yards, adding another 13 yards on his one carry. But Matt Stafford hadn't been able to get much going with the rest of the Lions offense, as Calvin Johnson has been held to just one reception for 16 yards.
2nd Quarter, 0:35: The Lions picked up a good chunk of yards against the Patriots defense to make it down to the New England 35-yard line. But Matt Prater's 53-yard field goal attempt went wide right, and the Pats will get the ball back one more time before halftime.
They also get the ball back to start the second half.
2nd Quarter, 2:42 -- Patriots 21, Lions 6: Detroit might want to cover that Tim Wright guy when he's in the end zone.
Brady hit a wide open Wright for his second touchdown pass of the game. It's Wright's first multi-TD game of his career. Of his 20 receptions with the Patriots this season, six of them have been for touchdowns. Probably a good idea for opposing defenses to cover him in the end zone...
Julian Edelman was the story of the drive though, making three catches for 34 yards. Edelman got leveled on a fake end-around handoff, but hauled in an 8-yard reception on third-and-6 the very next play to move the chains for the Patriots.
So far, Minitron looks a whole lot better than Megatron in this one.
2nd Quarter, 7:45: The Patriots will take over at their own six-yard line after forcing a Detroit punt.
Rob Ninkovich introduced Stafford to the Gillette turf again on the drive, but his second sack of the day was wiped out by a Jamie Collins hold. Tate picked up 13 yards on a reverse on the next play, but the Pats D held the Lions in check. Bell was stuffed by Jonathan Casillas on a first down run, and Stafford couldn't connect with Tate on the next two plays to set up the punt.
Revis was back on Tate for that drive. Tate has three receptions for 83 yards.
12:43 -- Patriots 14, Lions 6: We missed you, LeGarrette.
The big back found the end zone on his first carry with the Patriots this season, a three-yard score to put New England on top 14-6.
With Ayers' sack earlier in the game and Blount's touchdown run, it's safe to say Bill Belichick's mid-season acquisitions are working out pretty good for the Patriots. Pretty.... pretty.... pretty good.
The Patriots have now scored 132 points in the second quarter this season -- tops in the NFL.
2nd Quarter, 13:26: The Patriots are already threatening thanks to a beautiful kickoff return by Danny Amendola.
Amendola found a hole and used his blockers to break an 81-yard return down to the Detroit 22.
2nd Quarter, 13:37 -- Patriots 7, Lions 6: The Patriots gave up some big yards on that drive, but held strong in the red zone.
After a 42-yard catch and run by Tate to start the quarter set Detroit up at the New England 7, the D didn't let the Lions find the end zone. After Patrick Chung was called for a hold on first-and-goal, setting Detroit up at the New England 2, Bell was stuffed on first down. Stafford went looking for Johnson in the end zone on second down, but the play was broken up by Revis.
Stafford then went to Joseph Fauria on third down, but Chung made amends for his penalty and played some good D on the tight end.
End 1st Quarter -- Patriots 7, Lions 3: The first quarter comes to an end as Stafford eludes a couple of potential sacks, and complete a 15-yard pass to Johnson on third-and-6.
1st Quarter, 3:10 -- Patriots 7, Lions 3: Tom Brady put on his surgical gloves for that last drive.
After starting off with two straight three-and-outs, the Patriots picked up five first downs en route to the end zone, capped off with a Brady four-yard TD pass to tight end Tim Wright.
Brandon LaFell had a couple of big catches on the drive, but Julian Edelman did most of the damage. He caught four passes for 29 yards, including a nice grab that he tipped to himself on the sidelines, and took a beating from the Lions D in the process.
The nine-play, 64-yard drive took just 2:37. Brady is now 9-for-13 with 72 yards and the touchdown.
1st Quarter, 5:47: We have quite the defensive battle going in this one so far.
The Patriots force a three-and-out of their own, with Rob Ninkovich sacking Stafford on first down for an eight-yard loss. Bell got just two yards on a second down carry, and Stafford couldn't connect with Johnson on third down.
The Patriots will now take over on their own 36 after a six-yard punt return by Julian Edelman.
1st Quarter, 7:27: Very ugly offensive possession for the Patriots.
Shane Vereen was stuffed for a five-yard loss on first down, followed by a Rob Gronkowski drop on a pass over the middle on second down. Brady hit Vereen for five yards on third down, but was leveled by Suh as he threw the pass.
The only good thing to come out of that drive was Ryan Allen's 66-yard punt after handling a bad snap. Thanks to that boot, and Nate Ebner and Matthew Slater's downfield tackle, Detroit will start at their own 21-yard line.
1st Quarter, 8:42: The Patriots D forces a three-and-out thanks to a sack by Akeem Ayers on third down. It's Ayers' third sack in four games as a member of the Patriots.
Stafford couldn't connect with Johnson on first down, and then Joique Bell could only pick up four yards on second down. With Tate on the sidelines, Revis covered Johnson on second down.
The Patriots will now take over on their own 14-yard line following a Detroit punt.
1st Quarter, 10:05: Nothing doing for the Patriots on their first drive, with a costly penalty by Sebastian Vollmer.
Vollmer was flagged for illegal hands to the face on a third down reception by Rob Gronkowski which would have moved the chains for the Patriots. It was kind of a weak call, and only Vollmer's second flag of the season, but it proves costly for the Pats, as Brady's next pass soared by Danny Amendola down field to force a New England punt.
Shane Vereen got the start at running back for the Patriots.
1st Quarter, 11:44 -- Lions 3, Patriots 0: The Lions take an early 3-0 lead on a 48-yard field goal by Matt Prater.
Darrelle Revis is on Golden Tate to start this one, with Brandon Browner drawing Calvin Johnson. Matt Stafford went Tate's way three times on the opening drive, picking up 24 yards on a screen play on the first play from scrimmage, then 17 more yards on a third-and-5 play to move the chains.
But Stafford went looking for Tate again on a third-and-6, and Revis was there to knock the pass away. This should be a great matchup throughout the game.
Pregame -- 1:01pm: The Patriots have won the toss and defer to the second half. Matthew Stafford and the Lions offense will get the ball to start this one.
Pregame -- 12:55pm: The pregame festivities are underway on this beautiful fall day in New England:
Pregame -- 12:20pm: LeGarrette Blount is on the field warming up as a kick returner. He returned 17 kicks for the Patriots last season and had a big impact on special teams in Week 17 against the Buffalo Bills, returning two kickoffs for a total of 145 yards.
Pregame -- 12:10pm: The Patriots haven't played at Gillette since the beginning of the month, so they will take today to honor veterans before and throughout the game.
In a pregame ceremony, Patriots Cheerleaders and members of the organization will join veterans and active duty military members to unfurl three American flags on the field. The United States Marine Corps out of Fort Devens, Mass., will present the colors, and the Massachusetts Army National Guard Voices of Freedom will perform the national anthem. At the end of the national anthem, two F-15C fighter jets from the 104th Fighter Wing, 131st Fighter Squadron will fly over Gillette Stadium.
Retiring United States Marine Corps Brigadier General William Thornton and Major Warren Graham will serve as the game's honorary captains and participate in the pregame coin toss.
The Patriots will also honor Army Captain Justin Fitch in the second quarter, who has devoted himself to help prevent veteran suicides. Capt. Fitch is dying of cancer and struggled with suicidal thoughts even before his cancer diagnosis. He overcame those struggles and now works with veterans through the Carry the Fallen group to help them overcome their own struggles.
The Patriots will also honor Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Pitts, of Nashua, NH, who received the Medal of Honor for distinguishing himself by extraordinary acts of heroism at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Forward Observer in 2d Platoon, Chosen Company, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade, during combat operations against an armed enemy in Afghanistan on July 13, 2008. Staff Sgt. He was awarded the Medal of Honor during a White House ceremony on July 21, 2014.
Also during the game, all servicemen and women will be asked to stand and be recognized, and the crowd will have an opportunity to sing along to "God Bless America." There will also be live look-ins on the stadium's video boards throughout the game of troops watching and cheering on the Patriots from Kuwait.
Pregame -- 11:38am: It was 14 years ago today that Tom Brady took his first NFL snap, and very fittingly, it came against the Detroit Lions.
The Patriots did not win that game, but Brady has gone on to win all three of his starts against the Lions over his career. Today, Brady and his Patriots can clinch their 14th straight winning season with a win over Detroit.
Think Brady and the Pats are ready for this one? Check out this neat Tom Brady alarm that the Patriots tweeted out early Sunday morning:
It's too bad Jonas Gray didn't have something like that on Friday.
As for today's game, the Patriots announced the rest of their inactive players just a few minutes ago:
OL Cameron Fleming
RB James White
WR Aaron Dobson
DL Dominique Easley
DE Chandler Jones
CB Malcolm Butler
OL Jordan Devey
With Butler inactive, corner Alfonzo Dennard is active for the first time in five weeks. Easley missed the final two practices of the week with a knee injury, so it should come as no surprise that he is inactive for today's game.
Newly signed running back LeGarrette Blount is active, and could get a few carries in this one. Gray, who missed practice on Friday because he overslept, will not start today's game but will play, according to ESPN's Josinda Anderson. Gray, who rushed for 201 yards and four touchdowns against the Colts last weekend, apologized to Belichick and his teammates later on Friday. But expect more from Shane Vereen, with the Lions boasting a stout run defense (they're allowing just 68 rush yards per game).
For the Lions, running back Reggie Bush is among their inactives.
Stick with CBSBostonsports.com for all the updates before, during and after the game.
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