Whatever Happened to the Patriot Way - A Madden NFL 25 New England Patriots CFM

[patriotway]

Matchup Preview *|* November 2, 2014
	@
Miami Dolphins (2-5, 0-2 Away)		New England Patriots (6-1, 3-0 Home)
Offensive Stats Comparison 2310 (20th) Total Offensive Yards 3036 (4th) 1665 (10th) Passing Yards 1993 (3rd) 645 (27th) Rushing Yards 1043 (8th) 16.9 (23rd) Points Per Game 38.1 (1st) 5 (Tied - 22nd) Passing TD 19 (1st) 3 (Tied - 20th) Rushing TD 8 (Tied - 3rd) 111 (13th) First Downs 137 (3rd) 17 (Tied - 19th) Red Zone Attempts 40 (1st) 5-5 Red Zone TD-FG 23-8 58% (32nd) Red Zone Percentage 77% (17th) Defensive Stats Comparison 2528 (23rd) Total Yards Allowed 2227 (9th) 1821 (29th) Passing Yards Allowed 1589 (18th) 707 (8th) Rushing Yards Allowed 638 (4th) 23.1 (Tied - 25th) Points Per Game 20.4 (16th) 25 (Tied - 3rd) Sacks 32 (2nd) 2 (Tied - 17th) Fumble Recoveries 3 (Tied - 15th) 3 (Tied - 25th) Interceptions 17 (1st) 24 (Tied - 25th) Red Zone Attempts 18 (Tied - 8th) 10-8 Red Zone TD-FG 9-6 75% (Tied - 11th) Red Zone Percentage 83% (Tied - 21st) Injury Report R. Starks/Upper Arm Fracture (Out 3 Weeks) J. Mayo/Pectoral Tear (On IR) O. Vernon/Dislocated Ankle (Out 3 Weeks) Game Notes In their last meeting, the New England Patriots cruised to an easy 31-10 victory over the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins had some success moving the ball, converting 53% of their third down attempts. The Patriots were even better, converting 68% of their third down attempts. Along with that, the Dolphins had no answers for the Patriots' passing and rushing attack. For the Dolphins to win, they'll need to stop the Patriots ground game and hope they're fortunate enough to get some turnovers. That's a tall task considering the Dolphins have forced only 5 turnovers this season.

[patriotway]

Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots
Nov 2, 2014	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Miami Dolphins (2-6)	7	3	0	3	13
New England Patriots (7-1)	3	14	0	3	20

Team Stats Comparison
	MIA	NWE
Total Offense	345	434
Rushing Yards	56	138
Passing Yards	289	296
First Downs	13	23
Punt Return Yards	10	26
Kick Return Yards	110	61
Total Yards	465	521
Turnovers	1(+2)	3(-2)
3rd Down Converstion	4-13(30%)	11-18(61%)
4th Down Conversion	0-1(0%)	0-0(0%)
2-Point Conversion	0-0(0%)	0-0(0%)
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals	1/2	1/2
Penalties	5-30	4-26
Posession Time	22:48	37:12

Scoring Summary
FIRST QUARTER SCORING		MIA	NWE
5:13	(NWE) S. Gostkowski, 28 Yd FG	0	3
1:47	(MIA) C. Clay 8 Yd pass from R. Tannehill (C. Sturgis kick)	7	3
SECOND QUARTER SCORING		MIA	NWE
8:33	(NWE) K. Thompkins 12 Yd pass from T. Brady (S. Gostkowski kick)	7	10
0:50	(MIA) C. Sturgis, 20 Yd FG	10	10
0:07	(NWE) J. Boyce 28 Yd pass from T. Brady (S. Gostkowski kick)	10	17
FOURTH QUARTER SCORING		MIA	NWE
11:12	(NWE) S. Gostkowski, 25 Yd FG	10	20
7:16	(MIA) C. Sturgis, 21 Yd FG	13	20

Miami Dolphins PASSING C/A YDS TD INT R. Tannehill (Rat: 82.4) 21/35(60%) 275 1 1 M. Moore (Rat: 39.6) 1/6 14 0 0 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD D. Thomas 14 37 2.6 0 L. Miller 2 0 0.0 0 R. Tanehill 2 19 9.5 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD C. Clay 6 81 13.5 1 D. Thomas 5 43 8.6 0 M. Wallace 4 50 12.5 0 B. Gibson 4 35 8.7 0 B. Hartline 2 20 10.0 0 M.Thomas 1 60 60.0 0 DEFENSE T-A SACK INT TD C. Clemons 11-1 0 0 0 J. Taylor 9-0 0 1 0 M. Johnson 6-0 0 0 0 D. Ellerbe 5-0 1 0 0 C. Wake 5-0 1 0 0 D. Patterson 5-0 0 0 0 P. Wheeler 5-0 0 0 0 K. McCray 4-0 0 1 0 J. Casillas 3-0 0 0 0 R. Jones 3-0 0 1 0 M. Toeaina 2-0 0 0 0 N. Singer 2-0 0 0 0 J. Hatcher 2-1 0 0 0 J. Jenkins 1-0 0 0 0 H. Olugbode 1-0 0 0 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG C. Sturgis 1/2 1/1 4 22 PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 B. Fields 5 234 46.8 1 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD T. Holliday 2 55 27.5 0 M.Thigpen 2 46 23.0 0 M. Gillislee 1 9 9.0 0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD T. Holliday 1 10 10.0 0

New England Patriots PASSING C/A YDS TD INT T. Brady (Rat: 74.8) 29/43(67%) 311 2 3 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD S. Ridley 23 91 3.9 0 J. Battle 7 19 2.7 0 S. Vereen 4 23 5.7 0 T. Brady 2 -4 -2.0 0 J. Develin 1 8 8.0 0 J. Boyce 1 1 1.0 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD D. Amendola 9 54 6.0 0 J. Boyce 5 96 19.2 1 S. Vereen 5 35 7.0 0 I. Cross 4 74 18.5 0 R. Gronkowski 3 22 7.3 0 K. Thompkins 2 28 14.0 1 S. Ridley 1 2 2.0 0 BLOCKING PANCAKE SACK S. Vollmer 4 1 N. Solder 3 0 D. Connolly 1 0 DEFENSE T-A SACK INT TD D. McCourty 6-2 0 0 0 A. Talib 5-1 0 1 0 S. Gregory 4-0 0 0 0 J. Collins 3-0 0 0 0 A. Moats 3-1 0 0 0 R. Ninkovich 3-0 0 0 0 D. Hightower 3-0 0 0 0 K. Arrington 2-1 0 0 0 M. Sherels 1-0 0 0 0 T. Kelly 1-0 0 0 0 V. Wilfork 1-0 0 0 0 M. Buchanan 1-0 0 0 0 A. Dennard 1-1 0 0 0 J. Jay 1-0 0 0 0 C. Jones 1-0 0 0 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG S. Gostkowski 2/2 2/2 8 28 PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 R. Allen 3 132 44.0 0 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD M. Sherels 3 61 20.3 0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD M. Sherels 3 26 8.6 0

There's always an interesting question that comes up after a close game like this one. From looking at the the final score, it looks like this was a closely contested game. When looking deeper into the stats, some things just don't add up. One of them is the large difference in time of possession. The advantage there goes to the New England Patriots. When looking at the turnovers however, you'll see that the Miami Dolphins had the advantage there. With turnovers having such a huge impact on a game, the question here is did the Patriots win the game or did the Dolphins lose it?

Tom Brady threw three interceptions in the game, including this one to Jamar Taylor of the Miami Dolphins.

Like they have been all season, the Patriots offense was great. They went on long, time consuming drives that took a lot of time off the clock and resulted in points. When the team found itself in a third down situation, they converted many of them. However, this didn't happen consistently enough throughout the game. That combined with the turnovers meant that the Dolphins never fell too far behind in the game.

When the New England Patriots were clicking on offense, it resulted in plays like Josh Boyce's 62 yard cath and run as well as Kenbrell Thompkins; 12 yard touchdown reception.

Even though the Patriots gift-wrapped opportunities for the Dolphins in the form of turnovers, they weren't able to take advantage of them. While the Patriots' defense did do a good job of getting off the field on third downs, the Dolphins did little to help themselves. With the Dolphins converting only 30% of their third downs, their offense never really had time to get in rhythm. The Dolphins were more successful when they didn't find themselves in third down situations.

The Miami Dolphins found some success on offense early in the game like this 20 yard run by Daniel Thomas and an 8 receiving touchdown by Charles Clay.

Even after all of that, the Dolphins still had a chance to tie the game in the fourth quarter. A drive by the Patriots stalled, giving the Dolphins plenty of time to tie the game. Trailing the Patriots 13-20, the Dolphins started a drive that could have forced overtime. When faced with a fourth down and without quarterback Ryan Tannehill, the Dolphins ran a play. Mike Wallace beat Aqib Talib and was running into the endzone when Matt Moore threw the ball. Instead of celebrating possibly tying the game, a wide open Wallace dropped the pass that fell perfectly into his hands. Dropping open passes had plagued the Dolphins all game long, and it happened again at the most inopportune time.

While the Patriots didn't "escape" with the win, they certainly are lucky to have won the game. If a few things had gone differently, the Dolphins could have been the winners on Sunday. The Patriots may not have the same luxury of making those mistakes and coming away with a win when they face the Kansas City Chiefs next week. That game could be the biggest of the season for the Patriots.

Game Ball/Extra Reps

Game Ball
Wide Receivers: The wide receivers, specifically rookie Ivan Cross, continue to make big plays. Unfortunately, Cross, who was filling in for an injured Kenbrell Thompkins, suffers an injury of his own and will miss the next few games.

Stevan Ridley: Despite a difficult start, Ridley finishes strong with 91 rushing yards.

Run Defense: The Patriots front seven holds the Dolphins to rushing offense to 56 yards.

Extra Reps
Tom Brady: Brady keeps the Dolphins in the game by throwing three interceptions.

Ryan Allen: Allen fails to pin the Dolphins deep in their own territory as two of his punts bounce into the endzone.



Media Reaction
Lavar Arrington - @LArringtonEA: Home sweet home for New England -- they get the win.
Chris Mortensen - @mortreportEA: #Patriots have to love watching Tom Brady play like he did today.
Peter Schrager - NFL Insider: At the midway point your team's in a good spot. How far do you think this team can go?
Robert Kraft: You just want to be in a position to win a Super Bowl, and of course for that to happen you need to make the playoffs, and I know we can get there.

[patriotway]

Week 9 Soreboard
Thursday's Games	Hi Passing	Hi Rushing	Hi Receiving
Houston 16, Indianapolis 14	(HOU) M. Schaub 220	(HOU) A. Foster 90	(HOU) D. Hopkins 81
Sunday's Games	Hi Passing	Hi Rushing	Hi Receiving
Cleveland 33, Cincinnati 15	(CIN) A. Dalton 294	(CLE) D. Lewis 58	(CIN) A. Green 124
Green Bay 26, Minnesota 7	(GB) A. Rodgers 293	(GB) E. Lacy 66	(GB) R. Cobb 145
New England 20, Miami 13	(NE) T. Brady 311	(NE) S. Ridley 90	(NE) J. Boyce 96
Carolina 20, Tennessee 3	(CAR) C. Newton 214	(TEN) C. Johnson 52	(TEN) N. Washington 80
Chicago 38, Kansas City 21	(KC) C. Merchant 223	(CHI) M. Forte 120	(CHI) B. Marshall 87
Tampa Bay 27, Jacksonville 6	(TB) M. Glennon 241	(TB) D. Martin 91	(TB) V. Jackson 92
Baltimore 17, San Francisco 17	(SF) C. Kaepernick 300	(BAL) R.Rice 101	(SF) E. Decker 99
Denver 26, NY Jets 23	(DEN) T. Romo 374	(NYJ) B. Powell 87	(DEN) W. Welker 176
Washington 31, Arizona 9	(WAS) K. Cousins 161	(WAS) A. Morris 140	(ARI) L. Fitzgerald 75
Detroit 13, Oakland 6	(DET) M. Stafford 271	(DET) R. Bush 55	(DET) B. Smith 97
Seattle 23, Dallas 16	(DAL) J. Cutler 226	(SEA) M. Lynch 125	(SEA) P. Harvin 136
Monday's Games	Hi Passing	Hi Rushing	Hi Receiving
San Diego 23, Buffalo 20	(SD) P. Rivers 213	(BUF) C. Spiller 85	(BUF) S. Johnson 79
BYE WEEKS: Eagles, Falcons, Giants, Rams, Saints, Steelers

Media Reaction
Chris Mortensen - @mortreportEA: #Buccaneers came into Jacksonville and pulled it out against the #Jaguars.
Mike Hill - @MikeHillEA: Mike McCarthy said that his guys won;t have to practice tomorrow, they earned the day off.
Ross Tucker - @RossTuckerEA: Nothing better than a win at home. Panthebrs will rest easy tonight.
Skip Bayless - @SkipBayless: Best way to win over your fan base: win at home. #Chiefs didn't get that memo.
Trey Wingo - @WingozEA: Never discount the value of winning a game on the road. Never discount the pain of losing at home.
Matt Miller - @MattMillerEA: Raiders will be dissatisfied to say the least after coming up short at home.
Ross Tucker - @RossTuckerEA: Really was a hot home crowd in Indianapolis this week but no stroybook ending for them.
Susannah Collins - @SCollinsEA: Everybody appreciates a tight football game because then every play matters! #Bills #Chargers
Chris Mortensen - @mortreportEA: Wes Welker looked fresh, and it showed with his 176 receiving yards today.
robert Flores - @RoFloEA: I saw Tony Romo's arm light on fire for about 7 seconds. Solid game gets him the win. #Broncos
Trey Wingo - @WingozEA: Got tired of saying Wes Welker this week, somebody probably should've covered the guy.
Susannah Collins - @SCollinsEA: Whoa! 7 sacks for the Redskins. Watch highlights and see Pro Bowlers galore!
Mike Hill - @MikeHillEA: Was Andy Dalton playing BLINDFOLDED?
Robert Flores - @RoFloEA: Never know what a tie will do to the NFL standings at the end of the year. #Ravens #49ers

[patriotway]

Chicago Bears
S. McClellin (DE) - Pulled Groin - 5 Weeks
K. Long (G) - Broken Jaw - 2 Weeks


Denver Broncos
C. Kuper (G) - Broken Jaw - 2 Weeks


Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A. Hargrove (DT) - Broken Ribs - 2 Weeks


San Diego Chargers
N. Hardwick (C) - Hamstring Tear - 7 Weeks


Kansas City Chiefs
D. Stephenson (T) - Pulled Groin - 5 Weeks
R. Hudson (C) - Pulled Groin - 3 Weeks


Indianapolis Colts
L. Houston (DE) - Broken Thumb - 2 Weeks


Dallas Cowboys
J. Birkenholz (LB) - Dislocated Knee - 5 Weeks


Atlanta Falcons
J. Blalock (G) - Ruptured Disk - 3 Weeks


Jacksonville Jaguars
A. Okoye (DT) - Dislocated Ankle - 5 Weeks


Carolina Panthers
D. Arkin (G) - Pulled Groin - 3 Weeks


New England Patriots
K. Arrington (CB) - Broken Thumb - 5 Weeks
I. Cross (WR) - Abdominal Tear - 5 Weeks
K. Thompkins (WR) - Ruptured Disk - 3 Weeks


Oakland Raiders
F. Kearse (DT) - Pulled Groin - 4 Weeks


Baltimore Ravens
M. Yanda (G) - Pulled Groin - 3 Weeks


Washington Redskins
D. Keller (TE) - Broken Ribs - 5 Weeks


Houston Texans
B. Nagy (G) - Pulled Groin - 3 Weeks


Tennessee Titans
D. Morgan (DE) - Hamstring Tear - 7 Weeks
M. Starks (T) - Dislocated Ankle - 7 Weeks


Minnesota Vikings
D. Rich (LB) - Pulled Groin - 3 Weeks

Media Reaction
Skip Bayless - @SkipBaylessEA: Spoke with B. Belichick about the injury to Thompkins, and it's a serious one.
Adam Schefter - @AdamSChefterEA: The injury to Aldon Smith will keep hi out for at least two weeks.
Stephania Bell - @SBellEA: Sources are telling e tha the 49ers will lose Aldon Smith for a couple of weeks.

[patriotway]

Media Reaction
Skip Bayless - @SkipBaylessEA: Some of the thanks has to go to the defense that went up against Tony Romo. #AFCPoW
Adam Schefter - @AdamSchefterEA: An impressive week ends with a fitting reward for Colin Kaepernick. #NFCPoW
Ross Tucker - @RossTuckerEA: Every week somebody has to step up, Jabaal Sheard did that this week. #AFCPoW
Susannah Collins - @SCollinsEA: Donald Butler was a man on fire this week. #NFCPoW

[patriotway]

2014 Playoff Standings, Week 9

NFL Playoff Standings - Week 9, 2014
AFC Division Leaders	W	L	T
New England Patriots	7	1	0
Kansas City Chiefs	6	2	0
Pittsburgh Steelers	6	2	0
Houston Texans	6	2	0
AFC WILD CARD RACE	W	L	T
Cleveland Browns	6	2	0
Denver Broncos	5	3	0

NFL Playoff Standings - Week 9, 2014
NFC Division Leaders	W	L	T
Green Bay Packers	7	1	0
Seattle Seahawks	7	1	0
Atlanta Falcons	6	2	0
Philadelphia Eagleas	6	2	0
NFC WILD CARD RACE	W	L	T
Detroit Lions	6	2	0
San Francisco 49ers	5	3	1

[patriotway]

NFL Standings - Week 9, 2014
NFC EAST	W	L	T	PF	PA
Philadelphia Eagles	6	2	0	238	139
Washington Redskins	4	4	0	119	142
New York Giants	2	6	0	145	195
Dallas Cowboys	1	7	0	137	201
NFC NORTH	W	L	T	PF	PA
Green Bay PAckers	7	1	0	217	113
Detroit Lions	6	2	0	173	113
Minnesota Vikings	2	7	0	137	197
Chicago Bears	1	7	0	127	190
NFC SOUTH	W	L	T	PF	PA
Atlanta Falcons	6	2	0	191	172
New Orleans Saints	4	4	0	192	185
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	4	5	0	154	163
Carolina Panthers	2	6	0	159	223
NFC WEST	W	L	T	PF	PA
Seattle Seahawks	7	1	0	220	109
San Francisco 49ers	5	3	1	177	177
St. Louis Rams	3	5	0	99	166
Arizona Cardinals	2	6	0	96	186
AFC EAST	W	L	T	PF	PA
New England Patriots	7	1	0	287	156
Buffalo Bills	5	3	0	230	175
Miami Dolphins	2	6	0	131	182
New York Jets	2	6	0	102	191
AFC NORTH	W	L	T	PF	PA
Pittsburgh Steelers	6	2	0	208	164
Cleveland Browns	6	2	0	159	118
Cincinnati Bengals	4	4	0	171	148
Baltimore Ravens	4	4	1	189	172
AFC SOUTH	W	L	T	PF	PA
Houston Texans	6	2	0	170	132
Jacksonville Jaguars	3	5	0	155	165
Indianapolis Colts	3	5	0	190	199
Tennessee Titans	2	6	0	100	173
AFC WEST	W	L	T	PF	PA
Kansas City Chiefs	6	2	0	195	150
Denver Broncos	5	3	0	162	147
San Diego Chargers	5	3	0	145	162
Oakland Raiders	1	7	0	97	167

[patriotway]

Part IV of V: Playoffs? Don't Talk About -- Playoffs?!

Several weeks of running into people as fast as you can has to take a toll on the human body, but somehow, these players manage to get up for those 17 weeks and play as hard as they can. Whatever aches and pains they have will just have to wait for the offseason to be taken care of. Right now, the playoff race is heating up and this isn't the time to start taking it easy. For the teams that have a less likely chance of making the playoffs, there's still pride to play for. With the last four teams taking their byes this week, it's all or nothing from here on out.

After finishing the 2013 season with a 10-6 record, this can't be the way the indianapolis Colts envisioned their 2014 season would play out. For the Atlanta Falcons, their 9-7 record last year had them just on the outside of a playoff berth. Circumstances have changed for both teams and their upcoming game on Sunday is critical to their playoff and division standings, more so for he Colts than the Falcons. With most of their team healthy now, the Falcons will be tougher than ever to defeat.


With their first six out of eight home games at home, the Philadelphia Eagles and rookie quarterback Billy Perez have made the most of it. Now, Perez and the Eagles will be tested on the road with six of their next eight away from Lincoln Financial Field, starting with the Seattle Seahawks this weekend. With the 2nd ranked offense and the 3rd ranked defense to aid them, the Eagles certainly won't be a pushover. The Seahawks and the 12th Man might have something completely different to say about it though. Their only loss of the season was at the hands of their division rival, the San Francisco 49ers. Now that they're in the middle of a three game homestand, that 12th Man may be more rambunctious than ever, especially with the playoffs on the hrizon.

Week 10 Schedule

Thursday's Games

Philadelphia Eagles (6-2) @ Seattle Seahawks (7-1) l 8:20 PM

Sunday's Games

Detroit Lions (6-2) @ Green Bay Packers (7-1) l 1:00 PM

Oakland Raiders (1-7) @ Tennessee Titans (2-6) l 1:00 PM

New England Patriots (7-1) @ Kansas City Chiefs (6-2) l 1:00 PM

Cleveland Browns (6-2) @ Houston Texans (6-2) l 1:00 PM

Washington Redskins (4-4) @ New York Giants (2-6) l 1:00 PM

Jacksonville Jaguars (3-5) @ Miami Dolphins (2-6) l 1:00 PM

New York Jets (2-6) @ Buffalo Bills (5-3) l 1:00 PM

Chicago Bears (1-7) @ Carolina Panthers (2-6) l 4:05 PM

San Diego Chargers (5-3) @ Denver Broncos (5-3) l 4:05 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) @ Cincinnati Bengals (4-4) l 4:05 PM

St. Louis Rams (3-5) @ Arizona Cardinals (2-6) l 4:15 PM

New Orleans Saints (4-4) @ Dallas Cowboys (1-7) l 8:20 PM

Monday's Games

Indianapolis Colts (3-5) @ Atlanta Falcons (6-2) l 8:30 PM

BYE WEEKS: Buccaneers, 49ers, Ravens, Vikings