Winner: Julian Edelman
I’ve mentioned his efforts as a run blocker, which were strong. But he also logged his first career rushing touchdown. The receiver is the first Patriot to throw, catch and rush for a touchdown in a season since David Patten.
On his career, Edelman has a touchdown via reception, pass, rush, punt return and fumble return. He’s working on every kind of touchdown there is. Edelman was also the target on Tom Brady’s prettiest throw of the night. Credit goes to Edelman for making the throw in traffic (even if more credit goes to Brady for making the pass).
That throw. @TomBrady | @edelman11 pic.twitter.com/lSiKLrBNdk
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 5, 2020
The wideout finished with three receptions for 30 yards. He also drew a holding penalty.
Winner: Kyle Van Noy, LB
He logged a pressure on Duron Harmon’s interception, which should have been a major momentum-changer for the Patriots in the fourth quarter. Alas, New England’s offense couldn’t capitalize. Van Noy’s crucial pressure followed another big play, a sack in the third quarter. The linebacker stripped Tannehill, but the quarterback recovered.
Great effort by Van Noy to get the strip sack. #Patriots pic.twitter.com/ggnE4339vT
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) January 5, 2020
Van Noy finished with five tackles (and wasn’t credited for the sack above.)
Loser: Pass catchers not named Julian Edelman
The narrative heading into this game was that someone — anyone — needed to step up to help Edelman and running back James White in the passing game. And that didn’t happen.
They were struggling to create separation for much of the game, and they didn’t prove reliable. N’Keal Harry got seven targets for two catches and 21 yards. Mohamed Sanu had four targets, one catch and 11 yards. Phillip Dorsett had one catch and six yards.
The Patriots tried desperately to improve this skill group over the offseason and regular season, by adding N’Keal Harry, Josh Gordon, Antonio Brown and Mohamed Sanu. They tried to add Jared Cook in free agency, and probably tried to our Gronk out of retirement. Belichick seemed to know this group wouldn’t be enough. And they weren’t.