FOXBORO — Wearing a uniform designed to honor the franchise’s previous, Patriots linebacker Matt Judon made a few of his personal historical past Sunday.
With two sacks, Judon turned the primary Patriots participant to start out a season with a minimum of one sack within the workforce’s first 5 video games. Judon dropped Lions quarterback Jared Goff early within the second quarter, then clobbered Goff once more nearer to halftime of the 29-0 win. His second sack knocked the ball out of Goff’s grasp, and into the arms of Kyle Dugger, who ran 59 yards for a landing.
To that time, the Patriots had contained Detroit’s top-ranked offense. But it was Judon’s strip sack that put the sport completely on Patriot phrases, permitting them to run the ball with a snug lead and drive the Lions to play catchup. Several defenders famous Detroit’s No. 1 rating and powerful offensive line post-game, saying it motivated them.
As for Judon, he didn’t put a lot inventory into it, saying he’ll take the Pats’ defensive entrance over any offense within the league.
“They do have a good line, but I’m taking whoever we line up and puts their hand in dirt over anybody. [Josh] Uche, (Deatrich) Wise (Jr.), DG (Davon Godchaux), Carl (Davis Jr.) LG (Lawrence Guy), (Christian) Barmore. I’m taking us over anybody,” he mentioned. “So, all respect to their offensive line and offensive lines throughout the league, but we kind of really don’t care.”
Judon’s six sacks have thrust him near the NFL lead. 49ers defensive finish Nick Bosa entered Week 5 with a league-high six. Back in the summertime, Judon famous he wants to complete the season stronger, after recording 12.5 sacks by means of the workforce’s first 13 video games final yr and one QB over the ultimate 5.
That similar notion wasn’t misplaced on him Sunday, whilst he made historical past.
“I’ve gotta stay conditioned and healthy,” Judon mentioned. “When I can do that … I think I’m a different person. So if I stay in condition and healthy, I think I’ll be able to play throughout the year at a high level.”
Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett owns the single-season franchise report with 18.5 sacks. Judon’s teammates hope he breaks it.
“I want him to keep going. Break the sack record, just keep going,” mentioned Pats defensive sort out Carl Davis. “I’m happy for him balling with all his hard work and preparation. Also just him being a leader in this defensive room and on this team, he’s very important and vital to this team.”
Stevenson units profession excessive
Bill Belichick wanted solely two phrases to precise his emotions about Rhamondre Stevenson on Sunday, minutes after Stevenson had rumbled for a career-high 161 yards.
The sentiment was so good, Belichick expressed it twice.
“Love him,” he mentioned. “Love him.”
Stevenson took each carry for the Patriots after their second drive, with starter Damien Harris sidelined by a hamstring damage. He broke 5 tackles on the longest play of the sport, a 49-yard rush up the center. It highlighted the stability in his recreation Belichick and teammates have come to like: Stevenson can bowl defenders over and break free from them.
“He is a really good football player. Really a good football player. So glad we have him,” Belichick mentioned. “Had a couple of blitz pickup plays right up the middle where he stepped up there. He is a good all-around back.”
Asked about his efficiency, Stevenson credited the Patriots’ offensive line, which entered kickoff as among the best run-blocking models within the league. He averaged 6.4 yards per carry Sunday.
“I feel like those guys up front, they really led the way, for me and Bailey Zappe today,” Stevenson mentioned. “Just because of how hard they were moving people, how hard they were working, things like that. So just those guys up front, I have all the respect for them. Much love.”
Stevenson additionally caught two passes for 14 yards. If Harris is sidelined for an prolonged time period, it’s probably Stevenson will tackle a lead function with fourth-round rookie Pierre Strong, a wholesome scratch Sunday, as his backup. The Patriots even have veteran Ty Montgomery on injured reserve with a knee damage, although his restoration timeline is unknown.
Thornton catches 2 in debut
Patriots rookie wideout Tyquan Thornton is the quickest participant on the roster. That goes for operating pace and restoration time.
Thornton returned to the sector Sunday lower than two months after breaking his collarbone in an August preseason recreation. He caught two passes for seven yards, each second-most amongst vast receivers. When Lions defensive finish Aidan Hutchinson slung him down on the finish of his first catch, a 2-yard display screen, it marked the primary time Thornton had been hit because the damage.
But, he obtained up rapidly.
“It was definitely like an ‘I’m cool’ moment,” Thornton mentioned. “The first time really getting brought down to the ground since the injury, so it was kind of motivating.”
As his restoration grew nearer to Week 5, the primary time Thornton was eligible to be activated off injured reserve, his spirits picked up, in keeping with teammates. He practiced Wednesday in a non-contact jersey, then shed it Thursday and rotated with the workforce’s different high wideouts Sunday. Thornton figures to be a fixture in that rotation shifting ahead.
“Watching my guys go out there and fight their hearts out, that motivated me,” Thornton mentioned. “It was a day-by-day thing, because one thing about the process: You can’t cheat it. So you’ve gotta go in day in and day out and put your best foot forward and get better.”
Extra factors
With 323 profession wins, Bill Belichick is one away from tying George Halas for second-most all time as a head coach. Don Shula holds the NFL report at 347. ….The Patriots will put on their crimson throwback uniforms a second and closing time this season in a Thursday night time kickoff towards the Bills on Dec. 1. Since 2009, the franchise is 7-0 when carrying them at residence … Sunday’s win was the Pats’ first residence shutout since Sept. 22, 2016, once they began one other rookie backup, Jacoby Brissett, at quarterback …. Nick Folk prolonged his NFL report for many subject targets made inside of fifty yards to 64 straight makes … In addition to Mac Jones, tight finish Jonnu Smith, defensive sort out Lawrence Guy, linebacker DaMarcus Mitchell, security Joshuah Bledsoe, cornerback Shaun Wade and operating again Pierre Strong had been dominated out pregame.
Source: www.bostonherald.com