The New England Patriots won a game that they were supposed to against the Washington Redskins 33-7 to stay undefeated.
The game was too close for comfort through the first half but the Patriots broke it open to bring Gruden’s group down to Earth.
Here are your winners and losers for today’s game.
Loser: Marcus Cannon
The former All-Pro had one of his worst games in recent memory.
Cannon gave up two sacks and was manhandled constantly on what should be the most secure part of the Patriots’ offensive line.
Holding calls did not help Cannon’s case either.
Winner: Defense
The defense was still stellar barring one rush for a touchdown by Steven Sims.
The unit also recovered their first fumble recovery and it was the fifth straight game that at least a McCourty has intercepted the ball.
The Patriots have gone five straight games without allowing a passing touchdown. The first team to do so since the 1988 Cleveland Browns.
Winner: Chase Winovich
What a game for the young kid. The rookie out of Michigan recorded his third sack on the season and wreaked havoc on Colt McCoy.
The golden-haired pass rusher has the potential to be a special talent and one should anticipate that his snaps should increase.
Winner: Sony Michel
Through the third quarter, the Georgia alum averaged only 2.5 yards per carry as the team desperately tried to get going.
His best run came on the first drive of the second half when he ran for the first down and set up the touchdown to Brandon Bolden.
Michel came alive in the middle of the third quarter single handedly guiding the Patriots to the end zone capping the drive with a 14-yard touchdown run.
He did not break the century mark only recording 91 yards but that does not take away from his best game of the season.
Michel needs to use this as fuel for momentum going forward.
Loser: Offensive Line
Too much pressure on the 42-year-old quarterback.
Brady never looked comfortable and when he threw his touchdown to Brandon Bolden, he was on the run.
The Patriots need to trade for an offensive lineman. No ifs ands or buts. One option the team must consider is Redskins All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams who would make an immediate impact.
Winner: Brandon Bolden
The Ole Miss alum does not get a lot of snaps on offense and when he does, he cannot make a mistake. He did not today, in fact he made quite the impact.
Bolden caught a 29-yard touchdown pass to open up the game that was not close after that.
Winner: Julian Edelman
Edelman broke 100 yards receiving before the third quarter was over and scored his first touchdown of the season.
Even at 33-years-old Edelman was creating separation against one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL Josh Norman.
This does not mean the Patriots should not try and trade for a playmaker at receiver as Phillip Dorsett went out of the game with a hamstring injury.
