Season-in-review team reports — AFC
East
As published in print Feb. 6, 2002
2001 record: 11-5 |
| Overview |
| Nobody, except maybe the Patriots themselves, saw this coming. Clearly
one of the top surprises of the season, the Patriots went from cellar to stellar in one
season, when most people figured they’d only get worse. After an 0-2 start and an
extremely serious chest injury to starting QB Drew Bledsoe in Week Two, the outlook seemed
even more grim. However, fantastic coaching and the outstanding play of some of the
NFL’s supposed retreads spurred the Patriots to an AFC East crown and eventually a
dramatic Super Bowl victory, 20-17 over the Rams, which has to rank as one of the biggest
upsets of all time. |
| Turning point |
| In Week Five, the Patriots were 1-3 and were facing the on-fire Chargers.
Down 10 points in the fourth quarter, QB Tom Brady, who had stepped in for Bledsoe after
Week Two, would get his first test and pass it with flying colors. After an Adam Vinatieri
field goal to cut it to seven, Brady led the team to the game-tying touchdown and then led
the drive to the game-winning field goal in overtime. The Patriots won nine of their next
11 games to get into the playoffs. |
| Offensive MVP |
| WR Troy Brown had been considered nothing more than a good complimentary
receiver prior to this season. But this year he proved that he could be the team’s
No. 1 receiver, the role taken (albeit on and off) by Terry Glenn for the past few
seasons. Brown set a team record for receptions, catching 101 passes, and really helped
Brady through some tough times. |
| Defensive MVP |
| After injuries to MLBs Ted Johnson and Bryan Cox, the Patriots were
forced to scramble to find a middle linebacker to take their place. They decided to try
OLB Tedy Bruschi in the middle, and that move paid dividends. When Cox and Johnson were
healthy again, it didn’t matter, because Bruschi had played so well that he’d
earned the starting job. Bruschi ranked third on the team in tackles and played well
overall. He was solid in coverage, against the run and in blitz packages. His play also
earned him a three-year contract extension. |
| Biggest surprise |
| Without a doubt, Brady’s near-perfect jump into the starting lineup
has been the single biggest surprise this team has seen. Three games this year showed
Brady was certainly ready to lead this team, and he has managed the offense extremely
well. As mentioned earlier, Brady led the team back against the Chargers. But he also took
the team on his shoulders in the second half of the Week 12 game against the Jets, leading
it to a one-point victory, as well as in the divisional playoff against the Raiders in a
heavy snowstorm. |
| Biggest disappointment |
| The only defective part of this well-oiled machine was WR Terry Glenn,
who was suspended three times (not counting the yearlong team suspension that was
overturned early in the season) — once by the league and twice by the team, including
a postseason-long suspension. It’s a broken record with Glenn and the opportunities
he’s continually gotten but not taken advantage of. The Patriots might have been able
to use him, as he was an integral part of the Week Five win over San Diego. But he played
only sparingly after that. |
| Rookie recap |
| The Patriots fared well in the first two rounds of the draft, picking up
DT Richard Seymour and OT Matt Light, who made significant contributions as starters.
After those two, however, the Patriots did not get much from their rookies this season. |
| Free-agent/trade review |
| These players were the backbone of the Patriots’ rejuvenation. New
England went out and spent a little for a lot, and they found a gold mine in other
teams’ rejects. First on the list would be RB Antowain Smith and LB Roman Phifer, who
had excellent seasons in New England. But don’t forget OG Mike Compton, WR David
Patten, special-teams ace Larry Izzo, FB Marc Edwards, LBs Mike Vrabel and Bryan Cox, CBs
Terrell Buckley and Terrance Shaw and midseason signee P Ken Walter, all of whom made
sizable contributions. |
| Team leaders |
Rushing — Antowain Smith, 1,157 yards on 287 carries, 4.0 avg., 12
TDs.
Passing — Tom Brady, 264-413 attempts for 2,843 yards, 18 TDs, 12 interceptions, 86.5
rating.
Receiving — Troy Brown, 101 receptions for 1,199 yards, 11.9 avg., 5 TDs.
Scoring — Adam Vinatieri, 113 points on 41 PATs and 24 FGs.
Kickoff returns — Kevin Faulk, 33 for 662 yards, 20.1 avg., 0 TDs.
Punt returns — Troy Brown, 29 for 413 yards, 14.2 avg., 2 TDs.
Punting — Ken Walter, 49 for 40.1 avg., 38.1 net, 2 TB, 24 inside 20, 0 blk., 58L.
Interceptions — Otis Smith, 5 for 181 yards, 36.2 avg., 2 TDs.
Sacks — Bobby Hamilton, 7. |
| Results |
Pointspread Shown Refers to New England.
| Date |
Opponent |
Spread |
Score |
| Sept. 9 |
At Cincinnati |
(+1) |
17-23 |
| Sept. 23 |
New York Jets |
(+2) |
3-10 |
| Sept. 30 |
Indianapolis |
(+12.5) |
44-13 |
| Oct. 7 |
At Miami |
(+8) |
10-30 |
| Oct. 14 |
San Diego |
(+3) |
29-26* |
| Oct. 21 |
At Indianapolis |
(+10) |
38-17 |
| Oct. 28 |
At Denver |
(+7) |
20-31 |
| Nov. 4 |
At Atlanta |
(+3) |
24-10 |
| Nov. 11 |
Buffalo |
(-6.5) |
21-11 |
| Nov. 18 |
St. Louis |
(+8) |
17-24 |
| Nov. 25 |
New Orleans |
(0) |
34-17 |
| Dec. 2 |
At New York Jets |
(+3) |
17-16 |
| Dec. 9 |
Cleveland |
(-5.5) |
27-16 |
| Dec. 16 |
At Buffalo |
(-3.5) |
12-9* |
| Dec. 22 |
Miami |
(-3) |
20-13 |
| Dec. 30 |
BYE |
|
|
| Jan. 6 |
At Carolina |
(-6.5) |
38-6 |
| Postseason |
|
|
|
| Jan. 19 |
Oakland |
(-3) |
16-13* |
| Jan. 27 |
At Pittsburgh |
(+10) |
24-17 |
| Feb. 3 |
St. Louis (SB) |
(+14) |
20-17 |
* Overtime |
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