New England Patriots 45 - Carolina Panthers 17
The Patriots traveled to rainy Carolina looking to move to 5-0 on the season against a scrappy Panthers squad. The Panthers put up a good fight, but ultimately the relentless pressure of the Patriots offense proved too much.
The Pats got off to a hot start after Darius Holmes returned the opening kickoff to the 50 and Cobie Ross took it the rest of the way on his first carry. After forcing a punt, the Patriots drove down the field again and Ross once again capped things off with a 9-yard carry. The Panthers weren't giving up without a fight though, and Akeem Tate ran for a 66 yard TD on a great draw on the ensuing drive to narrow the Pats' lead to 14-7 after one quarter.
The Patriots started to take over in the second, with a 30-yard run by Green-Ellis and a 2-yard pass from McCoy to Julius Thomas giving the Pats a big lead before a nice last-second drive followed by a Mare FG made the halftime score 28-10 Patriots.
The Panthers struck quickly in the third with McKoy scoring on an 80 yard run on the 2nd play from scrimmage. The Pats answered back with McCoy found Demaryius Thomas on a WR screen which he weaved 38 yards to the house.
In the fourth the Patriots added an 18-yard FG by Gostkowski and a 36 yard run by Green-Ellis, who got most of the second-half work. Terrance Carswell also picked up several key sacks late to stall drives.
Colt McCoy was on target all day, going 10 of 13 for 192 yards, 2 TDs and 0 INTs.
Cam Newton was 8 of 14 for 149 yards, 0 TDs and 0 INTs.
The Patriots backfield went with a 2-headed look in this one and both backs were on fire: Ross carried 17 times for 144 yards and 2 TDs while Green-Ellis carried 8 times for 114 yards and 2 TDs of his own.
Rookie Algeron McKoy carried 9 times for 93 yards and a TD, though most of that came on his 80-yard score. Akeem Tate took his 1 carry 66 yards to the house.
Gronk was the leading pass catcher for the Pats with 4 catches for 72 yards, Demaryius Thomas added 3 for 64 and a score. Julius Thomas had the other TD.
Olsen (4 catches for 86) and LaFell (4 catches for 63) were the only Panthers to record a catch.
No turnovers in this one, but rookie MLB Terrance Carswell continues to be a dominant force, recording 3 sacks in this one. The Panthers sacked McCoy once.
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gg yanksrule! I definitely came into this one looking to run, run, run and the rain only increased my desire to do so. You had a nice couple runs, though as usual I'd rather be gashed for the big ones than give up a bunch of 10 yarders.