It may not have been pretty, but it was pretty special.
Sunday's 26-10 foregone-conclusion win over the Rams not only improved the Patriots to 10-2 on the season – keeping pace with the Raiders for the best record in the AFC – but was win No. 201 for Tom Brady, the most for any quarterback in the history of football.
The Boston Globe breaks down the details on Brady’s record-setting day. The Globe looks at the way history was made at Gillette. The* Globe* also notes, though, that the Patriots left plenty of plays on the field in the win over L.A. The Globe supposes that maybe a visit from the Rams was just what the Patriots needed at this point. The Globe *details how the Patriots organization honored the team’s 2001 Super Bowl-winning squad over the weekend as the group celebrated the 15th anniversary of the first New England title. The *Globe notebook focuses on Stephen Gostkowski’s perfect day on field goals and PATs. Part of the Patriots defensive success was disguising their looks to confuse rookie passer Jared Goff.
Boston Herald columnist Ron Borges says Brady is now atop the all-time win list because that’s all that matters to the Patriots quarterback. The Herald writes that the Patriots set the tone vs. the Rams. Despite the win, the Herald observes that New England needs to find a way to finish drives without Rob Gronkowski, kicking four field goals in the first game after the tight end landed on injured reserve. The Herald says Gostkowski’s solid day could be a kickstart as All-Pro works through his season-long slump. The Herald has LeGarrette Blount enjoying the role the Patriots backs are playing for the team. The paper also notes the 2001 team being honored. The Herald offers three big issues for the Patriots after the win over L.A.
The Providence Journal says the Gronk-less Patriots rolled to their 10th win. But the ProJo declares that without Gronkowski that winning is much less fun. The ProJo also says that New England’s defense was finally able to shake off the doldrums to beat the Rams and their rookie quarterback. The ProJo observes that Danny Amendola was on crutches after suffering an ankle injury against L.A.
ESPNBoston.com relays Bill Belichick spending a lot of his postgame press conference reminiscing about the 2001 Patriots team that was a "springboard" for championship success in Boston sports in the 2000s. ESPNBoston.com lists its Ups (Gostkowski) and Downs (Cyrus Jones) from the Rams game.
ESPN has the “amazing numbers” from Brady’s march to 201 wins. ESPN culls together other star quarterbacks putting Brady’s latest accomplishment in perspective. Brady said he feels “very grateful” to reach the historic achievement.
WEEI.com says now that the “J.V. portion of the schedule” is over the Patriots are ready for a tough stretch that will define the team's regular season, beginning next Monday night against the Ravens. WEEI.com has Alan Branch talking about winning his appeal to wipe out his four-game NFL suspension, a “crazy situation.” After taking care of business against a rookie QB making his third career start, WEEI.com says the Patriots defense may be good enough after all. WEEI.com also offers three Ups (Blount) and Downs (James White) after beating up on L.A. WEEI.com says the win, led by Brady, was the quarterback’s perfect tribute to both himself and the 2001 team that he helped push to Super Bowl success.
CSNNE.com says that Sunday's win for the Patriots in a game they were supposed to win is simply “part of the process.” CSNNE.com writes that Branch will carry on with his successful season after winning his NFL appeal. CSNNE.com notes that with the two teams tied atop the AFC with 10 wins, the Raiders currently hold the tiebreaker for the No. 1 seed. CSNNE.com observes that rookie wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell saw a career-high number of targets as the team evolves without Gronkowski. CSNNE.com looks at Amendola’s injury as it relates to the punt return game, as well as Logan Ryan’s changing role on the Patriots defense, including the cornerback's sack on Sunday.
The L.A. Times says the Patriots simply cruised past the Rams.
NESN.com proclaims that Gostkowski’s performance is a confidence booster for the Patriots.
Boston.com offers 26 thoughts on the Patriots win over the Rams.
