Eyes were fixed on the target
Players, coaches rebound in win
- |
SAN FRANCISCO - You weren't expecting another Dolphin-like stinker, were you?
Not with these players. Not with these coaches. Not with this team.
The Patriots chewed on one of their worst regular-season losses of this decade for two miserable weeks, then yesterday unleashed everything they had when they finally had a chance to right their wrong. They had to travel coast-to-coast to do it, but yesterday's 30-21 victory over the 49ers proved this much - don't write off the Patriots just yet.
They have too much talent across the board, despite what they showed two weeks ago in that 38-13 debacle against the Dolphins.
The coaches are also too sharp, despite the fact they were outcoached two weeks ago.
And make no mistake, in this game, it takes both players and coaches to win on Sundays. One or the other, despite what some might suggest, just doesn't get it done.
Those anxious to pen the team's obituary were indeed disappointed with what unfolded yesterday.
"A lot of people are going to hate, a lot of people are going to speculate and say a lot of things, but we know what we are capable of as a football team," said receiver Randy Moss, who put a charge into the offense with a five-catch, 111-yard day that included a 66-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter. "This is something we can hang our hat on."
What made the win particularly sweet for Moss and Co., was the way the club overcame two early deficits, before all elements of the team - offense, defense, special teams, and coaching - weaved together to produce one meaningful victory.
The Patriots controlled the clock, winning the time-of-possession battle 39:52-20:08, adopting the good-offense-is-a-good-defense approach.
When the numbers are that skewed, it usually means domination in critical situations, such as third down, and good play-calling.
The Patriots' offense converted 8 of 17 third downs, and one all-important fourth down when running back Kevin Faulk took a direct snap to score on a 2-yard run, putting the Patriots ahead, 24-14, midway through the third quarter.
On defense, the Patriots held the 49ers to a 1-of-9 conversion rate on third down. That was a major U-turn from the first three games of the season, when opponents were converting just shy of 50 percent of the time.
The Patriots gave 49ers quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan many different looks by using almost every available defensive player. That left O'Sullivan, a first-year starter, spinning his head at the changing parts in front of him.
The Patriots pressured relentlessly out of a speedy dime package (six defensive backs) which featured four linebackers and just one defensive lineman. They had two different nickel packages (five defensive backs) - one with four defensive linemen and two linebackers, and one with three linemen and three linebackers. And, of course, they also played their base 3-4 alignment.
That's why linebacker Tedy Bruschi called yesterday a "true linebacker victory" because everyone in the 'backerhood played a part - from front-line guy Adalius Thomas to rookie free agent Gary Guyton, a key piece in the dime.
The linemen and defensive backs could say the same thing. They rotated liberally as well.
"They do give you a lot of different looks. I expected that," said O'Sullivan, who finished with just 130 yards passing, 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. "They're a very good defense, a veteran group."
Not to be overlooked, although it often is, was the special teams performance, particularly that of kicker Stephen Gostkowski.
His 49-yard field goal with 4:42 to play kept it a two-score game at a time when the 49ers appeared closer to seizing momentum.
The kick was reflective of the way the Patriots played throughout. Every time it seemed as if there was a slight crack for the 49ers to peek through, the Patriots closed it by answering with clutch plays.
So this is the way it has to be. At least that's the way cornerback Ellis Hobbs sees it.
After last season's record-setting offensive joyride directed by Tom Brady, there seems to be an ongoing adjustment to the fact that this is the style of game they must produce each week.
"From here on out, it has to be team wins, every game is going to be down-to-the-wire situational football, we're not going to blow teams out and have easy victories," Hobbs said. "We're going to have to go out there and earn it every time. That's fine by us."
They earned it yesterday, while at the same time serving notice that it's too early to count them out just yet.
Mike Reiss can be reached at mreiss@globe.com. 
