Patriots score 33 unanswered points to blow out Redskins
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| Scott Taetsch/Getty Images |
After a 65-yard touchdown run by Washington's Steven Sims Jr. that put the NFC East basement dwellers up 7-0, the Patriots ripped off 33 straight points to walk out of the nation's capital with a 33-7 win.
Though the score looks and is very lopsided, the Patriots struggled to put up points in the first half.
After the Redskins jumped out to the early lead, the defending Super Bowl champions responded immediately with a touchdown of their own by way of the classic Tom Brady-Julian Edelman connection. A missed extra point by new kicker Mike Nugent made it 7-6.
The defending Super Bowl champions took the lead for good early in the second quarter with a field goal, and then added another one in the final minute of the half to make it 12-7.
A 14-point outburst in the third quarter allowed New England to pull away from Josh Norman and friends. Brady, who was uncharacteristically bad last week against Buffalo, redeemed himself by completing 28-of-42 passes for 348 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. It was the second game in a row that Brady has thrown a pick in that part of the field.
New England's offensive line Marshall Newhouse also had a rough day, as they allowed Brady to be sacked four times.
On the defensive side, the Patriots were once again stout. Despite the unit finally allowing an offensive touchdown for the first time this season, they harassed Washington quarterback Colt McCoy all day. Between Dont'a Hightower, Chase Winovich, Jamie Collins and Michael Bennett, the defense picked up five sacks to up its league-leading total to 23. Collins also recovered a fumble and Jason McCourty registered his first interception of the season.
The Patriots improve to 5-0 for the fourth time in the Brady-Belichick era and will take on the New York Giants on Thursday night at Gillette Stadium.
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