1. Cassel played well enough to win: He looked like the 2001 Brady, completing the short passes and not making any big mistakes. His best pass of the day was a 12-yard route to Randy Moss across the middle, and the next pass to Moss on the deep ball in the fourth should have been caught by Moss.
2. The defense will be the key to the 2008 Patriots season: I know I'm stating the obvious here, but the defense was the anchor today, and will be all season. The Pats will be settling for more field goals than ever, and the D will have to make up for the decreased scoring. Bruschi looked as good as he has in years today, and Hobbs and O'Neal played well in the secondary. Merriweather's INT in the third set up the Pats first TD and may have been the difference in the game.
3. Gostkowski is killing the ball: He didn't kick one longer than 37 yards on Sunday, but all his kickoffs went for touchbacks except one (which was only returned to the 20 anyways). Maybe Belichick will show more confidence in him this year. He likely will have to.
4. The spread worked: The Pats running game got going big time in the second half when they spread the field and ran the ball from the shotgun. The depth at running back will be key to take the pressure off Cassel and Sammy Morris and Lamont Jordan were spectacular.
5. The O-line was decent: Three sacks doesn't look great, but attribute some of that to Cassel's inexperience. Billy Yates really impressed me, especially with a key block on a screen that sprung Kevin Faulk for a big gain. Dan Koppen had an off day at center.
6. Richard Seymour may be back: The big fella made some huge plays, especially on a goal-line stand for the Pats in the first half. He also bull rushed a blocker on his way to a big sack. He looks like he's in the best shape he's been in since signing that fat contract.
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