Post by Guvmintcheeze on Oct 30, 2015 3:32:50 GMT
RB Dion Lewis making a big difference for Patriots
Mike Reiss, ESPN Staff Writer
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots lead the Miami Dolphins 19-0 at halftime, and one of the main storylines has been running back Dion Lewis' return to the lineup.
What a difference he makes.
Dion Lewis' 16-yard TD catch in the final minute of the first half put the Patriots up 16-0 on Miami. AP Photo/Michael Dwyer
After missing Sunday's victory over the Jets, Lewis has looked as explosive as he did early in the season in totaling six receptions for 93 yards. ESPN's Stats & Information has Lewis with 84 yards after the initial catch, which is the sixth-most for any NFL player in a game this season (and most by a Patriot). The short passing game with Lewis has been a central part of the game plan against the Dolphins' attacking front four.
How challenging is Lewis to tackle? Just ask Dolphins linebacker Koa Misi, who raced past the 5-foot-8, 195-pound Lewis on a dazzling spin move.
The Patriots are also turning to the more traditional running game more than they did Sunday, when they called just six standard run plays and power back LeGarrette Blount played just seven snaps.
Thursday night, Lewis has played 23 snaps and Blount has been on for 21.
Also, when a defense posts a shutout through the first 30 minutes, there's not much to quibble about from a coaching perspective. Defensive end Chandler Jones has been one of the leaders of the charge, with two sacks to up his league-leading total to 8.5.
The Patriots' punt coverage unit, with punter Ryan Allen doing his part, contributed to helping the Patriots win the field-position game.
The Patriots could be up by a lot more than 19-0, as they had early opportunities to bury the Dolphins. But they're firmly still in control.
The Dolphins, who won the opening toss, get the ball to open the second half.
Mike Reiss, ESPN Staff Writer
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots lead the Miami Dolphins 19-0 at halftime, and one of the main storylines has been running back Dion Lewis' return to the lineup.
What a difference he makes.
Dion Lewis' 16-yard TD catch in the final minute of the first half put the Patriots up 16-0 on Miami. AP Photo/Michael Dwyer
After missing Sunday's victory over the Jets, Lewis has looked as explosive as he did early in the season in totaling six receptions for 93 yards. ESPN's Stats & Information has Lewis with 84 yards after the initial catch, which is the sixth-most for any NFL player in a game this season (and most by a Patriot). The short passing game with Lewis has been a central part of the game plan against the Dolphins' attacking front four.
How challenging is Lewis to tackle? Just ask Dolphins linebacker Koa Misi, who raced past the 5-foot-8, 195-pound Lewis on a dazzling spin move.
The Patriots are also turning to the more traditional running game more than they did Sunday, when they called just six standard run plays and power back LeGarrette Blount played just seven snaps.
Thursday night, Lewis has played 23 snaps and Blount has been on for 21.
Also, when a defense posts a shutout through the first 30 minutes, there's not much to quibble about from a coaching perspective. Defensive end Chandler Jones has been one of the leaders of the charge, with two sacks to up his league-leading total to 8.5.
The Patriots' punt coverage unit, with punter Ryan Allen doing his part, contributed to helping the Patriots win the field-position game.
The Patriots could be up by a lot more than 19-0, as they had early opportunities to bury the Dolphins. But they're firmly still in control.
The Dolphins, who won the opening toss, get the ball to open the second half.