New England holds off late charge, taking care of business in home opener
FOXBORO, MA - Linebacker Jerod Mayo forced one fumble and had 11 tackles as the New England Patriots beat the San Diego Chargers 35-21. The biggest tackle from Mayo came on a fourth and goal at the Patriot 1-yard line in the second quarter. After the turnover on downs, the Patriots took the ball 99-yards and capped off the drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady to Rob Gronkowski.
Tom Brady threw for 423 yards and three touchdowns as he utilized his tight ends for the second straight week. Six days after throwing for a career and franchise high 517 yards, Brady continued to pick apart a Chargers defense as he went 31-40 with no interceptions.
The Patriots (2-0) scored first on a touchdown pass from Brady to Aaron Hernandez. The Chargers (1-1) quickly answered with a Ryan Matthews 10-yard run. The second quarter wasn’t quite as even. The Patriots scored on three straight drives including the 99-yarder set up by the fourth and goal stand. Stephen Gostkowski hit a 47-yard field goal with no time left in the second quarter to make the score 20-7. The field goal was set up by the first ever interception by Vince Wilfork.
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The Chargers battled back in the second half but couldn’t keep up with Brady and the no-mistake Patriot offense. Phillip Rivers threw for 378 yards but the offense turned the ball over three times inside the Patriot 35-yard line. The chargers had four total turnovers; two interceptions and two fumbles.
The last chance and last drive for the Chargers ended on a Rivers fumble at their own 38-yard line recovered by the Patriots.
San Diego’s Vincent Jackson led all receivers with 172 yards and 2 touchdowns, while New England’s Deion Branch totaled 129 yards. Both teams have week 3 division matchups, as San Diego travels home to take on a win-less Chiefs team and New England goes to Buffalo to meet up with an undefeated Bills squad.
By: Matt Romano
ProFootball-fans.com New England Patriots Correspondent