Patriots Hold On For 30-23 Win Over Lifeless Falcons

(Boston Herlad Photo: Nancy Lane)

Put Chicken Little on furlough. All of the dire predictions about the 2013-14 New England Patriots are looking a little silly now that the team has moved out to its first 4-0 start since 2007. Young, un-tested receivers, no Gronk, no Welker, no reliable running back—all were supposed to relegate New England to a playoff-free wasteland. Unfortunately for the nay-sayers, Tom Brady is still quarterbacking the team. Brady (20-of-31, 316 yards, two TDs) made the young pass-catchers look good yesterday (Kenbrell Thompkins 6 receptions,127 yards, one TD). Aqib Talib was a monster in the Pats secondary in the 30-23 win over Atlanta in Rhett Butler-Ville. Next week, the supposedly improved Bengals host New England, but our guess is we will be 5-0 next Monday.

Pats Earn Ugly, Sloppy, Boring Win Over Jets, 13-10

(Boston Herald Photo By Matt Stone)

Gisele was right. Tom Brady can't throw and catch footballs at the same time. The latter (catching, that is) was nowhere to be found in Foxboro last night, as ball after ball was dropped by new receivers Aaron Dobson and Kenbrell Thompkins. Only Julian Edelman seems to be able to run the right routs and secure the aerial pigskin with any regularity (13 catches). A visibly upset Brady and his offense was bailed out by the ever-improving Patriots defense in a forgettable 13-10 win over the 'Border War' New York (actually, New Jersey) Jets. The Patriots are 2-0 on the young season, but it has to be the most unsatisfying win streak in franchise history. They are going nowhere with this receiving corps. We're sure the Belichickian net is being cast as we speak for someone who can actually catch footballs thrown by a Hall of Fame quarterback.

Patriots Take Unfulfilling Victory In Lovely Buffalo

(USA Today Photo)

Hey, it's a win. One the road. In a divisional game. The New England Patriots will take any result like that, but things were pretty dicey for most of yesterday's contest in Mistake II By Lake II.  All the new receivers (with the notable exception of  Danny Amendola) were running routes that seemed in a different Zip Code, while the offensive line didn't not exactly keep Tom Brady upright all day. The upshot was that the game wasn't iced until a last-second field goal by Stephen Gostkowski.  It was ugly, but Brady did manage 29-of-52 for 288 yards and two touchdowns. But this was a game that should have been a blowout. While the defense played well and the offense did compile big yardage, the Patriots just seem uncharacteristically prepared in the first win of the year, 23-21.

Gronk Materialzes On The Practice Field On Sunday

(Boston Herald Photo: Kevin Ma)

Like a distant mirage in the desert, Rob Gronkowski appeared out of nowhere at Patriots practice yesterday. The unexpected appearance of the All-Pro tight-end lifted the spirits of everyone from the coaching staff to the media. Working in pads for the first time in a long time, Gronk shed blocking dummies and ran like his multiple surgeries were not a factor. It's still unclear whether he will play in the season opener against Buffalo—or even the Thursday Night Football follow-up against the Jets. KGB Bill isn't telling.