Madden 24 - Washington Commanders @ New England Patriots - Week 9

Madden 24 - Washington Commanders @ New England Patriots - Week 9 it's the NFL on EA Sports and the question is are you ready for some football it's the Washington commanders and the New England Patriots and it's coming up next EA Sports coverage of the National Football League brings us to Gillette Stadium in Foxboro Mass Straight Ahead we've got a pretty good one on tap here as it'll be the Washington commanders taking on the New England [Applause] Patriots Brandon God and Charles Davis back with you at Charles for years a trip to Foxboro quite often led to a loss for opposing teams but the Patriots have been in essence a 500 teams since the departure of tb12 3 years ago and things have switched because they are a defens Le team and that's what was kept them in most games their key can they get more explosive on offense and truly establish who their qb1 is meanwhile for the commanders this is a team that many think could be the fourth best in the NFC East but they've got a pretty strong defense that's going to probably keep them in some ball games their investment in Talent is certainly paid off number four against the pass a season ago number four overall in Total Defense nothing to shake a stick at if they get good quarterback play look out 1st quarter Joey slly the kicker stands ready and we are underway in Foxboro taken at the goal [Applause] line and not much happening on the return as he'll get this to about the 23 the Patriots offense set to go to work with M Jones at quarterback in his third season now out of Alabama it was a much rockier season for Jones in his second year and he even had to survive a brief challenge to his starting job this is a big campaign for the former Rookie of the Year runner up he wants to get back to Pro Bowl form in this one Jones looking to throw right away he'll get this complete to Jaylen raer and he'll get this up to the 34 yd line that's a pickup of 11 and a first down on their first offensive play well this is where reading defenses and practice time comes into play you got to know what you're running versus Zone versus man and how to run the proper route and they just executed that one pretty well Douglas The Man in Motion now Jones looking left side and he's got a in that's Stevenson it'll go down as a gain of six and it'll be second down I like it I like it I like it get everyone involved in the passing game and you know you can create those great mismatches throwing it to your guys out of the back field and on the first drive that can also help establish some Rhythm right I think so it gets everyone involved they feel like they're part of it and really gets them amped up as they go forward meanwhile Jones throw completes a Reger and they're going to have another first down here as the tackles made at Washington's 45 yd line it's a pick up of 15 and a fresh set of downs now that was pretty they executed that curl route versus Zone coverage and that changes things a little bit because against man it's often a tight curl tight sharply run route again Zone you're just looking for that open spot that dead area so you make curled a little bit wider just to get to that place and usually a tight window he fired a bullet in there for the completion he takes this for about six down inside the 40 they've created a nice sustained Drive off of plays like that a nice strong run there that keeps them advancing the ball ball on the 39 here's a second and four now the first Carry for Ezekiel and little room to maneuver there he gets it down to about the 39 just a gain of a yard there and now it'll be third down I know the speed is the Hallmark of today's NFL game but the key to good rushing defense is still having your linebackers set the edge an extra man here in the secondary for Washington on third down throwing Jones and this one is incomplete strong coverage by Washington and now fourth down how about this defense they came up with a couple of big plays in this sequence and none better than the one right there forcing the incompletion and bringing up fourth down so on fourth down here's Bryce bearinger on to punt for the Patriots back deep here Jameson Crowder and they won't risk defending a return here that one's out of bounds and it'll be spotted spotted at the 14 yd line the commander set to go to work on offense and they've handed the controls to this man in his second NFL season former tar heill Sam how how got the KN from Commander leadership to be the team starter this year a nice bump for last year's fifth round pick one start as a rookie and didn't look bad at all winning the team's finale and let's not forget this is a guy who was once viewed as a first round pick so there's plenty of Promise hidden beneath the surface a first and 10 here for how and the commanders at their own 14 yd [Applause] line now the seconde man from Alabama it's Brian Robinson and a nice gain there as he'll be taken down just shy of the 20 five yds is the tally on first down that brings up second and five that's a really good gain right there they pick up five yards halfway to a first down the only problem now in the Huddle everyone's going to want to touch the football a lot of chattering now because they've seen that they can move the line of scrimmage back to throw how this is caught by his tight end Logan Thomas seven yards there and a first down many different ways of create space but on that play he did it with that big wide body of his didn't get a whole lot of yardage on the play but it did what it was supposed to pick up a first [Applause] down first down how to [Applause] throw that's out wide here for Robinson and this will leave him a yard short nice pickup of nine yds on first down from the 35 here's second down and a yard they'll Run for the first time with Antonio Gibson seven yards there good enough to move the sticks for a lot of guys playing this game there's no better feeling than running right through a tackle a to lower Center gravity and turn his legs for a really nice pick up so two first downs and that moves the ball to the 42 now first and [Applause] 10 how he'll look to throw it it's brought in by Jameson Crowder and they'll get this well past Midfield before being stopped just before the 35 well for teams that like to play Man coverage running Corner routes can be tough on them because of the ability of getting into it sometimes you're squaring it off sometimes you're just rounding it sometimes there's a fake sometimes there's not that makes it very very difficult for a DB to stay with it so into Pats territory now here's first and 10 at the 37 yd line hand off to Robinson out on the shotgun down at the 35 it'll be second down oh that's a real nice job there by the defensive front they just engaged and held their ground but how about the guy who made the play we often talk about where they take a good first step or not many times you just don't take any step just get your feet moving get your body going and then once he made the read he was able to make the play Robinson with another carry and he's going to take this down close to the first as he's brought down at the Patriots 27 that was play number seven on this drive and it got him seven yds and that looked like some pretty easy yardage there right up the gun and he's a guy that has some height to him so when you don't have to drop a shoulder or create or get through contact or trash makes a lot easier to stay upright see the field and make a run as we just saw there and he gets the first down here as he's taken down at the 24 give him three yds and a fresh set of downs had a chance to maybe limit them to three if they could have gotten that stop there but a new set of downs and with a new set of downs you got to take the mentality of the whole thing right now everyone's looking at the offense and saying they've got the advantage the best defenses just say okay new set of downs gives us another chance to make a play ourselves and maybe change things up and he's brought down after a very nice gain that one goes for 24 yds I think he has to be saying to himself how did that not wind up a touchdown remember you just need the tip of the ball across the plane it's not going to get there but they're going to be set up in great shape with first and [Applause] goal here we go now on first and [Applause] goal Robinson is in touchdown Commanders so both sides of the football contributing here early their defense forces the punt then the offense takes it down the field and punches it in on the short touchdown run and Brandon that's good complimentary football and that's what they're going to need if they want to get out of here Victorious Joey Sly on for the extra [Applause] point it's good and Washington will take a seven nothing lead a 10-play drive that time and it was capped off by the touchdown run from Brian [Applause] Robinson Joey slly now to kick off after the touchdown from a couple yards deep he'll bring it out of the end zone and the decision to come out of the end zone is going to cost him five yards as he's taken down right at the 20 so back onto the field come the Pats for their second Drive last series form a little disappointing forced a punt and now they'll try to do better here and Come Away with some points as they begin this drive first and 10 on first down Jones and the Washington pressure gets to him he will go down Jonathan Allen the former first round pick getting in there to bring him down and every game we talk about what are going to be the keys as we go into it maybe that's a key for their defense today pressure the quarterback and make sure you play a good zone defense behind them and they get their first sack of the contest on second down it's Stevenson and they'll get him down here at the 23 they'll wind up getting 10 back as that sets him up for third down I was pretty surprised there when they lined up to run it on second and long but it worked out for him it certainly did and that requires some confidence some fortitude and a little bit of Hope doesn't it you hope you catch the defense just right and break off a big run to help yourself out on the next down on third down Jones and that will be incomplete every offense tells you they want to come out and start fast That's Not Unusual at all but this group they've yet to get much rolling through their first two drives and it looks like they have to give up the football again after this one here's Bryce bearinger now so possession goes over here on the punt and the commanders will take over with a first and 10 the commander is going to retake the field for Drive number two and they'll be looking to make this a two-score advantage had the touchdown on their first drive Charles hey they can get up two scores here on the road that's a heck of a start and not only have they thought about it I wonder if they visualized it I remember playing and they used to turn the lights out in our meeting room and run through a situation like this and say just think about what it would be like to be up on the road and take the crowd out of it maybe they did some of that a nice burst there as they'll get about seven that time on the first down run that run right there was an offensive line coach's dream wasn't it guys picked up all their assignments created a nice gap for the running back to get through pick up seven yards yeah he's probably chling on the headset right now say we got it going boys let's keep it going on second down here's Gibson again and he'll be brought down just shy of Midfield at the 49 yd line a gain of five good enough for the first down well you know they had a third down play on standby just in case but he says no need with that carry runs like that will continually earn him more work in this and future contests [Applause] on First and 10 it's Robinson and he'll go down shy of the 40 at the 41 on any explosive run you can almost feel the ground shaking and that's from the offensive lineman creating space for their Runners I had an Old Coach tell me before that he always told his runners run around the offensive line in pregame get used to the ground shaking so you don't trip and fall when it happens in a game this time they'll throw it with how and this one incomplete too much contact to hold on to that one and it's third down anytime they think they've got him open beyond the markers you know they're going to throw it his way and that's not going to change even after that incompletion was forced could be four down territory even if they don't get this but they need just a few inches here on third Robinson will try to pick it up and he will have a first down as they get him to the ground at the 37 they're able to convert with a gain of four just about every coach we talk to says the crowd shouldn't affect us that shouldn't be an issue and in the next breath they talk about taking the crowd and taking them out of the game by picking up first downs and keeping them at Bay I think we just saw an example of that there didn't we important to do especially early in the game like they have back to Robinson now on first down down at the 35 it'll be second down watching that play unfold and watching him complete it brought back memories of doing all those suit drills to make sure you don't overp pursue and let a guy get a cut back laying on you he did that very well you praised him on tape yesterday for the angles that he takes to the ball took a great angle right [Applause] there the play fake and now here's how to throw it and that one going to be off Target and incomplete I don't want to blow it too out of proportion but maybe Circle this play because if they get to stop and hold them to a field goal here that's a pretty good job they're already down on the scoreboard stop now would be vital for them because it could save them from having to do it multiple times later in the game in order to either get back into it or maybe have a chance to [Applause] win how throwing on third down here oh he had him he was open but he couldn't get it to him it's incomplete nice call by the defense there on third down just for the field with extra defensive backs in their dime package nowhere to go with the football forces the incompletion field goal unit and Joey Sly now it'll be spotted on the right hatch a 52 yd attempt and that is no good a hit it well from distance but he couldn't work it back in and this will remain a one touchdown game trying to build on that opening drive touchdown but the drive stalls out and then you get the misfield goal here so they wind up with nothing to show from Drive Number Two New England trying to get into place on offense they've had it twice they punted twice not the start they were hoping for not at all and let's face it every facility we visit everyone talks about converting on third down how big that is in this situation they've had to punt it away twice so they're furiously going over things on the sidelines what do we need to do to pick up a first down and change our momentum they'll run with Stevenson to begin the drive and pretty good Pursuit there defensively he's brought down no gain on on the play second down coming up absolutely love the effort there the ability to flow from his inside spot and stop that one to the line of scrimmage nice linebacker play officially nothing on that last run they'll try again second and 10 they run once more with Stevenson and a good run here as he'll Rumble all the way down to the 40 yd line 18 big yards on that one and a New England first down good push up front and that run in between the tackles let's play The Leverage game here offensive line just got lower than the defensive front and they able to get their pads on them and move them backwards and create space for their running back to [Applause] R after one 7 nothing on EA Sports start of the second quarter from Foxboro it's the home standing Patriots with the 2nd quarter football as they've got it with a first and 10 off the play fake Jones try to lay one up deep and this is incomplete oh that looked like a sure six points but he could not get that to stick and that is a golden opportunity wasted there and this was a little bit of the knock on him coming out of college sometimes the concentration could wander a bit this should have been a big play but somehow he's not able to Corral it to throw once more on second and 10 Jones checking this down to Stevenson that helps the completion percentage but not much else and now it's third and 10 as a defense you're more balanced when you're in zone coverage because you're able to keep your eyes on the quarterback and see the play develop in front of you they're able to keep the Quick Pass in front of of them and stop it right at the line of scrimmage right where this set of downs started they need a full 10 here to pick up the first down and move the chains pass taken in by his big tight end and they're going to have another first down here as the tackle made at Washington's 18 that third down conversion good for 23 for a tight end he's got good straight line speed and on that route he's often the guy that gets overlooked nice job there finding him in stride for really good [Applause] yardage this offense finding its legs now here's another first and 10 back to throw [Applause] again and this is caught touchdown Patriots an 18yd touchdown grab and the Patriots are an extra point away now from tying this ball game we see this route all the time but when it's well executed it's a beauty and it feels like the fade takes forever to develop like that ball is just hanging in the air and the reason why is that the receiver is trying his best to work the defender inside and give himself space to fade away from him and catch the football and that's exactly what happened there Chad Ryland now to add the pat it's up and good and we're tied at seven here in quarter number two so the drive there took six plays and it's finished off by a patch [Applause] [Applause] touchdown [Applause] [Applause] so all even at seven now as they kick it away this Tak it in at the goal line and he will make it to the 20 yd line and and no further back onto the field now the commander offense and the way their last Drive ended boy it was frustrating they had a pretty good drive going it was sustained and then it stalled out Charles and they missed the field goal and got nothing out of it is that insult to injury because they had such a sustained drive as you noted so you know for the head coach it almost felt like a little bit of failure to send out the field goal unit and then and not even see the ball go through the post what a bummer on that last drive for them got to pick themselves up from that one hows throw into the hands of mclen he'll be marked down at the 26 with a gain of seven they kept the receiver in the short field but that let his quarterback get the ball quickly to him before either guy in double coverage could react two minutes gone by second [Applause] quarter on second down a run with Gibson and this won't be enough to pick up the first a gain of two third and one if they're going to get a first down out of this they're going to have to earn it because there's been tough going in the interior there and here we are in third and one be prepared brace yourself going to be some contact going on New England on third down they've been okay two for three thus far they're up against a third and one situation and he will have a first down as they get him to the ground at the 37 41 yds on the ground for him now on nine carries brand what were they thinking on defense there that looked like they were playing for the pass that was third and short yeah it was an easy pickup because they handed it to him that was way too easy just looked like absolute confusion defensively not sure why they were in that set yeah I say you ought to have a few men in the box there they'll run again here with Robinson and he's going to be met at the line of scrimmage and taken down Anthony Jennings in that time defensively as usual the Hallmark of a good run defense linebackers making plays near the line of scrimmage absolutely nowhere to run there here's second and [Applause] 10 they'll go playaction how and he goes down it's a patriot sack multiple players combined for their team's first sack of the game how about that one the called little guys putting the pressure on that was a strong safety when I was in college we often call that a lightning Blitz how to approach this third down and 16 yds to go how out of the shotgun and the throw there going to be incomplete as a defensive back you have some weapons at your disposal that we don't often talk about and you can read the receiver's eyes you can read his hands and you know that the arrival of the ball is is imminent and that allows you to make a play on it and often times knock it away so on fourth down Washington going to call on Tres way to punt it away call that a 45 yd punt just two yds there on the return and the Patriots take over New England's offense set to go and they'll just simply be looking to build off the confidence of the last time out where they scored a touchdown and confidence is powerful isn't it when you've scored once you feel like you can go back out there and get it done again doesn't matter what the defense throws at them they feel like they're in a groove right now and they want to get out there and show it yeah hoping to stay in that Groove here this go around Jones in the Pats now with a first and 10 at their own 23 it's Stevenson with a run to begin the drive and nothing much materializing there on the first down run he'll get a couple and that's it Brandon we talk all the time about those hybrid players guys who could do more than one thing and I think if you're playing strong safety in the NFL today you are a true Hybrid part linebacker part cover guy and coming up sticking his nose in the mess there and making a nice play defensively Stevenson gets it again on second down and he'll get it up near the 35 right at the 34 here nine yds the pickup there and it's a first down and that's a nice pickup of a first down on that second down run and at that yardage gained they can run that play on any down from the 34 now here's first and [Applause] 10 they'll try the left side with Stevenson and he'll Rumble for about five up close to the 40 nice satisfying run on first down for the offense picking up five which means defensively the thought process is entirely different you don't want to panic but at the same time you're saying to each other we've got to tighten this down now we can't give up gains like that here's a second and five again it's Stevenson and he'll get it out a couple yards shy of Midfield at the 48 nine yds the pickup there and it's a first down partner there are strong running plays and then there are plays where you simply outclass the defense and we saw the ladder there they ran straight up the heart of that front for an excellent gain and first down simply put you've got to put more of a fight defending the middle otherwise this is going to be a long game Stevenson now on First and 10 and he'll manage to pick up about four it's second down this drive is pretty clear almost feels like old school fundamentals doesn't it want to impose their will on the defense what's that five straight runs yeah five straight carries to start this drive and like you said the way it's working they may just stick with it from the 48 yd line here's second and six now they'll switch it up here and look to throw a throw left sideline Falls [Applause] incomplete seventh play of the drive upcoming here on Third and six operating from the gun Jones and that is incomplete and this defense definitely in his head there on third down and he's pretty fortunate they didn't call him for grounding on this one that was a good 10t over everyone's head here's Bryce bearinger on now to [Applause] punt and this one will not be returnable as as it sails out of bounds and Washington going to come back out here to take over offensively over on the sideline hoping to hit that reset button between possessions last time out they had to punt it away this time hoping to finish this thing off of The End Zone Howell and the commanders come up now first and 10 just shy of the 30 he'll start with a give to Robinson 47 yds rushing for him now to this point if you're in the offensive huddle you're smiling after that play because you've certainly got them guessing now second and short could they just hand it off for another big gain or do they take advantage of this spot to take a big shot down field from the 35 back to work on second and four and how will throw it got this complete to Jan doson and they're going to have this across Midfield and inside the 45 22 yds there a first down but one of the ways that quarterbacks keep all the receivers alive in a play Never lock in on any one guy make sure you keep your eyes moving scan the field and here he finds the open guy for a nice pickup so into Pats territory now here's first and 10 at the 44 yd line out of the G they give to Robinson able to Slither by and he's tackled a yard short of the marker good gain of nine on first down that play wasn't quite as big as the play that preceded it but still got to like the way they're moving the football partner absolutely pretty good room to run on that last play yeah they didn't get a first down but still you'll take runs like that each and every time won't you second down and a little more than a yard here toss play to Robinson and he follow his blockers there all the way down to the 23 yd [Applause] line and that flag [Applause] accepted again it's Robinson and he works his way fre all the way down the outskirts of the Red Zone 13 yds there and a Washington first that's how you get right up off of the map because on the last play they stoned him in the back field and dropped him for a loss but he's the type of guy that scared me a little bit because he's not daunted just got right back up showed some confidence and picked up a first down with his very next run how to the air on First and 10 nowhere to turn this time and he goes down sacked back at the 29 Jaan Bentley came in there hard on the blitz and got him down nine yds behind the line of scrimmage defensively on the previous play they gave up a pretty good chunk of yardage but right there they got a good portion of it right back and if we just flip it around from the offensive perspective took a nice step forward and how about a couple of leaps backwards after that play they've got to figure out a big call coming up here to try and gain that yardage back second down how back to pass pass Thomas has got it complete and he'll go out of bounds in the Red Zone just inside the 20 they'll wind up getting 10 back as that sets them up for third down it certainly feels like they're more stars at the tight end position there were even 10 years ago and I think it's become more of a glamour position because of the ways it can hurt a defense and guys want to be involved they can be in line close to the line of scrimmage they can split out like receivers but hands rout run running speed and some toughness to go across the middle you put it all together you got heck of a tight end candidate such a tough position to defend near the line even when you add a second Defender but the big man Shrugged off the extra body and made the play call a success and no signs of the field goal unit they're going for it on fourth down oh they go with a tight end carry and he's got the first down as he gets it to the eight they were certainly in field goal range opted to go for it hey they were able to pick it up yeah you're exactly right about that but look at it this way the kicker had missed one before so they decided to stay out and go for it and it worked but now just one miss field goal and you're not trusting him he'll be visiting the team psychiatrist this week because he's going to want some answers about why they wouldn't put him back out on the field now a throw to the End Zone on first down but it winds up incomplete I'm really liking what I'm seeing from this defense because their coverage has been playing at a shut down level so far even backed up late they're forcing incompletions and fighting to keep them out of the end zone as the first half winds down nothing on first down so the ball remains at the8 yd line second and goal now how and he comes back with one [Applause] complete three tight ends up front here third and goal Robinson and he'll keep working toward that end zone as he's down to about the 2yd line now the Patriots going to use one of their timeouts it's just their first so they'll have two remaining here before we get to halftime field goal unit and Joey Sly now from the right hash at a bit of a tight [Applause] angle Sly able to put this one through so three points on the board as easy a field goal as you're going to get but I can see you shaking your head I love that peripheral vision of yours partner because to me if it's the fourth quarter and you're up six I get it but now even if you run and don't get in you're still setting them up to go a long field 98 99 yd Drive how do you look at your defense and not give them that [Applause] opportunity after the made field goal here's slide to kick this one [Applause] away and a good return as he'll be stopped just shy of the 30 yd line possession back to the Patriots from Andre Stevenson headed out with the offense and the ground game's been good but they're losing here in the second quarter can they use that ground game maybe to work the air attack a little bit more I think so because now you can throw play action off of being able to run the ball effectively and often times you might want to just swing your back out of the back field get the ball in his hands in open space and just don't get totally away from running it because some of these runs now they may pop bigger as the game goes along yeah they've been good with a run so far setting up a screen for Stevenson he finds some open field here and he'll be out of bounds but able to get it up past the 45 first play of the drive a success 19 yds and not that the coach asked me but I do like the call there to start the drive looking for something maybe to jump start this offense they decide to run a little screen play maybe get their running back a little bit of space mission accomplished he turns that into good yardage and a quick first down oh the commanders are going to get there as he's taken down that one will set him back nearly 10 yards here on first down on the sack and they weren't in zone coverage they were in man and each man did his job and that looked like vintage old school coverage didn't it man coverage reminded me of an old Raiders team that had a Hall of Famer at one corner and a defensive player the year the other and he just locked people down they try to throw on second down but this one is incomplete well partner guaranteed they approach this play with the idea of making up ground to make third down manageable unfortunately with that incompletion right back where they started on the last snap now they need a big third down play in order to pick up the yardage needed on third down here's Stevenson and he'll be taken down down at the 46 yd line and Washington now going to use the first of their three timeouts as they'll head to the sideline and talk over what to do next the Patriots send out their punter as he'll putt it away for the fourth time today out comes Washington's offense as they get set to take over here and not an abundance of time remains on the clock Charles but you would think more than enough to try to extend this lead before intermission and when you're talking about extending the lead I think you're talking about aiming for the End Zone because there is plenty of time for that the fall back is to get three but in your mind you put six on the board right before the half that's a heck of a dagger and great momentum to carry into the locker room now throwing on first down here he completes this one to Terry mclen now inside the 25 and he'll finally be taken down at the 18 a big play there just before halftime 62 yards and the offense is saying to itself right now if only they were all this easy because he was wide open and once he made the catch plenty of room to work his way down field that was a breakdown on the defensive side of the ball one that they want to fix immediately a real field flipper there as all of a sudden they've got a first down in the Red Zone how quick slant doson now Washington going to use the second of their three timeouts as the clock will stop with 21 seconds to go here in the first [Applause] half [Applause] here's second and three throwing here how into heavy traffic and it's intercepted picked off by the Michigan man jabil peppers and the Patriots will take over here at their own 12 yd line and as we've seen points have been precious so far and they just some away on that snap and look let's face as we advance further into this game that play will be on the minds of everyone who's watching it they wonder if this is the turning point is this the spot where those points were given away and could cost them a ball game the Pats at the line ready to go and the ball backed way up so thinking with this amount of time on the clock probably just sit on it and we'll see these two teams go to the lockers yeah I don't think you want to overthink it in this situation either side of the ball just go ahead and finish up the half and get on out and talk about [Music] it so we've hit halftime just a field goal separating these two teams at the break as we'll send you down the coast now to Orlando that's where we find Jonathan Coachman ready with our EA Sports halime report coach okay Brandon thanks very much and welcoming everyone to our downtown Orlando studios and this EA Sports halim report it was a solid first half of football for the Alabama man Brian Robinson he had a touchdown run that helped get his guys this halftime lead okay Coach yeah adjustments likely going to play a big role in this third quarter in what's been a tight contest so far [Applause] [Applause] a good tight football game thus far 107 3rd quarter the score as we Zoom action on EA Sports this fielded right at the goal line and he'll be brought down right on the chalk of the 20 the Washington offense ready to go to begin the third quarter but Charles for them pretty good first half on the ground they had some success running the ball in quarters one and two and they've got the lead now a chance to expand upon that lead here with their first drive in the third quarter yeah and believe it or not you and I have noticed that this great game of football has shifted towards pass first run second so for me it's really nice to see some of these teams keeping the ground game as a big component of their offense and it's working pretty well for them now and let's face it they can continue to do damage with it and in addition it sets up the pass game really well for them too and he's going to get a solid gain of nine before being brought down second and right at a yard and while the guys with the ball are having a whole lot of fun keeping it on the ground the guys on the opposite side they are having zero fun they've been getting pushed around the entire game and haven't found an answer yet to slow down the running game how down to throw [Applause] it now throw right side here going to be incomplete right now the story of this game continuing to be the defenses because the offenses they're finding it difficult to establish any rhythm whatsoever I like how you come to us in Praise of Defense Brandon because that's exactly right that was an incompletion Force there but we we've seen it throughout this game both of these defensive coordinators they're a step ahead of their offensive counterparts and he's going to have the first down yardage to the 35 85 yds rushing for him now as he's carried it 16 times well someone's been having a good game so far and you know something a lot of has been power running they decided to turn him loose again on third down didn't they they did indeed he delivered the tough yards now they go playaction with Hal short throw there caught by Thomas so the completion good for seven there and it's second down nice play call a little bit of play action right there if you can get those linebackers to freeze for just a split second that's usually all the room you need in order to get it to your tight end now second and [Applause] three back to throw how and a quick throw there is incomplete nowadays quarterbacks don't mind throwing into coverage because of the confidence they have in their receivers to come down with the ball but sometimes you have to be careful you don't get too confident and throw an interception so the incomplete pass on the last play and that leads us to a third and three here's Hal he's got his Target that's complete and is going to have a commander first down as they're able to get the third down conversion that was good protection there no that was great protection there because it allowed him to lock in on his receiver although I think he was looking for his tight end on the corner route all the way nice connection there for a really nice gain so into Pat's territory now here's first and 10 at the 46 hand off to Robinson out of the shotgun oh that one welld designed as he'll take this down to the 30 yd line 17 more yards on that one as they keep the drive rolling boy where would these guys be without his performance on the ground that puts him over 100 yards now for the afternoon and I tell you he seems to be getting stronger as the day goes along faking the hand off Howell caught by and I think the ball's out call it luck or skill whatever the case is they're feeling good about just keeping the football there yeah the biggest thing that they're calling it now our ball I they don't care if it was luck or skill boy the Panic that jumps up in your chest when that Ball's on the ground whether you get it or your teammate gets it just as long as you maintain possession that's all you're looking for here's how to throw on second down man open is Robinson and out of bounds all the way down at the three 23 yds on the play I'll tell you what this offense is playing a little bit of keep away right now they've come out here in the third quarter possessed the ball for quite a while and they keep on converting nice pitch and catch there to set up the first and [Applause] goal now we got whistles before the snap looked like one of the commanders [Applause] jumped so they'll go ahead and accept the penalty and they'll try again here first and goal after the false start how he'll look to throw it doson has it touchdown commanders eight yds on the touchdown pass and the commanders take the opening kickoff of the third quarter and drive right down the field to extend their lead that seemed pretty ideal there for the offense Charles you take a little bit of time off the clock you're in the third quarter decent length drive and you pad your lead as well at the end of it and what it does is let you feel like you're in control of this game even more so than a two touchdown lead right because you have taking that time off as you noted which means they couldn't get you off the field you ran your playbook the way you wanted wanted to and you gave your defense some rest what a big time drive in that situation extra point by Sly is up and good and his guys will take a 10-point [Applause] lead [Applause] Jo Joey slly now to kickoff after the touchdown and no return from Montgomery bring it out to the 25 so here are the Patriots now they get ready for their first possession of half number two and their deficit a little wider than it was at halftime does that touchdown a minute ago change the thinking here at all I think it does at least a little bit because now urgency has to start setting in you can't go out there and go three and out and run the risk of falling behind substantially but you have to do it without pressing cuz pressing that'll lead you into bigger errors the drive starts with a carry by Stevenson he'll be dropped after a gain of about six across the 30 to the 31 well it's time for them to be good teammates right here and what I mean by that is possess the ball for a little while get at least two first downs give their defense chance to settle down a little bit after they give up a touchdown they'll come up now second and four from the 31 throwing Jones and his throw is incomplete a misconnection there he's hit on just 50% of his passes thus far that's not where you want to be now you see the evolution of the game you go back to the quarterbacks of old 50% would be terrific CU they threw the ball down field almost every time they threw it now with a short passing game you should be above 60% just to be in the average range Douglas The Man in Motion now Jones and and is caught and he will have a Patriots first down by about a yard it's a gain of five on third and four what it be safe to say that as precise as routes are supposed to be run in the NFL maybe they're not quite as precise in college ball that's accurate yeah and I think we saw a college route in the NFL there just find the soft spot find The Dead Zone and find the first down and that's what he just did a give for Stevenson running right and he is swallowed up right at the line of scrimmage no gain on the play it'll be second down and as a defensive end getting off the ball quickly swarming to the football making a tackle that's what we saw right there yeah and that's what their job is and really a lot of the time they have to throttle back a little bit in the Run game because you know those defensive ends they're like in a sprinter stance they're just headed straight for the quarterback that was good recognition on that play to hold them to no game a throw on the money to rager and he's going to get this all the way down inside the 3 five the previous play they barely got back to the line of scrimmage now they pick up over 30 yds a that's the kind of play this offense desperately needed they've got to be saying our defense has kept us in the ball game we're down but we're certainly not out and maybe that was the spark that they've been searching for so the big Play Changes the complexion of things here's first and 10 just outside the 30 back to throw Jones Short pass caught by Henry and they'll have it in the Red Zone before he crosses over out of bounds this gain not quite as good as the last but still over 40 yds between the two they're going to empty the Back Field here so you know this Ball's likely to come out quick they let the four outside receivers run deeper routes and then let the tight end just make a beline across the formation he's able to make the catch and turned into good yardage and a first down under pressure and and he'll go down back at the 26 yd line Jonathan Allen able to get in there for his second sack of the afternoon it's interesting partner that most defenses try and guard the 35 yd line actively because they think the way kickers are nowadays about a 52 yard field goal they're kind of giving up points but you get even deeper into territory you get into the Red Zone they're going to guard it even more which means more pressure more blitzing now meanwhile here's a second down throw that's knocked away and incomplete he didn't just deny a big throw there he broke that one up in the Red Zone an excellent play one that may help save points on the board when this drive is over this offense in desperate need of a conversion as they come up on third down looking to throw [Music] Jones a throw out wide going to be incomplete the commander defense holds and that'll bring up fourth down smart move to throw that one away you're in field goal range so you definitely don't want to be loose with the ball and that's great work by this defense to force a fourth down on now the rookie fourth round pick Chad Ryland for the Patriot field goal from the left hash mark this a 43 yd attempt and his kick is indeed good and they're back within a touchdown it's 17- 10 so the response to that touchdown on the other side to begin the third quarter look just three points but still a response nonetheless you're exactly right about that because I think you needed to answer back with something even though it's not six just enough to send the message that says hey we're not going [Applause] away so after the field goal Ryland back out as he'll send this one [Applause] away and he's up past the 20 to the 22 yd line the commander offense returning to the [Applause] [Applause] field a first and 10 here for how and the commanders at their own [Applause] 22 he'll get it to Robinson to begin the drive and he'll be taken down right around the 27 five yds on the carry good pickup on first down Brandon All Things Considered they have to feel pretty good about getting that type of a gain considering the blitz that they just had against them ball on the 27 here's a second and [Applause] five back to throw how and this throw incomplete the defender all over him that time but it's going to lead to third down he did a fine job there of not hitting him before the ball arrived and I've got to tell you you can often mtime that play because of the angles of approach when you're going to get him sometimes you panic as well and think I've got to be there right now instead in this case timed it perfectly and knocked it free eight yards that time able to take off and the result is a first down he's been patient this entire game waiting for the perfect moment to surprise him with a quarterback keeper there he catches him off guard and converts his first Rush of the game into a first down got to love that efficiency ball up to the 35 now as they come up on First and 10 straight ahead it's Robinson there to stop him Jawan Bentley Brandon five yards on that run let's get back to the Huddle and make sure if you're a back you spend time with your offensive line and give them credit hard to move those 300 plus Pounders at the line of scrimmage and they did for a significant chunk of yardage ball at the 40 here for second and [Applause] five Robinson with another carry and he's dropped just before the line to gain four yd pickup leaves him with third and one Well you certainly have to give a little credit here because they're playing this game now at their Pace this is ball control football sustained runs taking their time and making it work so they just need one yard here to pick up the first down third and one how's going to throw it out route looking for mclen he's got him and he's going to have a commander first down down and comfortably so as he gets five there on Third and a yard got to say I was a little surprised to see him Charles come out in a shotgun on Third and less than a yard yeah but the way the NFL is nowadays we hardly ever see anyone really run for it on short yardage so they're going to throw the football more times than not that was a nice easy Rhythm throw right there and they pick up the first down oh and that is well read defensively a great job of setting the edge and that little touch pass going to turn into a loss this defense not fooled one bit on that touch pass and this has become one of those kind of invogue plays you know kind of like the shuffle pass was a few years ago this one never got off the ground but you understand why a lot of teams are running it these wide receivers a lot of them they've run like running backs with the ball in their hands and he'll be taken down just shy of Midfield after a gain of about four but if you're going to have a relay race you're probably going to pick your backs and receivers to run it but don't underestimate the conditioning of the offensive line they're out there just dictating things staying on the field and keeping a long drive [Applause] going how throwing on third down here and that is incomplete so two third down conversions on this drive but not able to get a third and now they deal with fourth down and that's a really good job there defensively they went into this possession knowing that they needed to get a stop they're in a tight ball game and they got it done great work to force the three and out got the football right back for their offense they've got to go to the sidelines feeling pretty good about themselves and encouraging their offensive mates to get some points so the Patriots coming out now and after the field goal last time we'll see what they can get here at least they got points out of the last Drive Charles I never met an offensive coach that didn't want a drive to end with a kick most of want it end with a pat right in this case a field goal they'll take it way better than the alternative which is a punt yeah but you met fan bases that wanted that that weren't happy with that field goal I haven't met a fan base yet that wants a drive in with a kick other than the extra point that's it Douglas The Man in Motion now Jones throwing to start the drive he finds Douglas complete and he'll be brought down on the 30 yd line after a gain of six and the ball on the 30 here's second and four looking to throw Jones man open left side is brown first Target First Catch and a first down that was a route run not just with dexterity but with intelligence found the hole in the zone made sure the quarterback saw him and was able to make the short catch and flip the down marker back to one so here's a first and 10 at the 38 operating from the gun Jones Short pass caught by Henry Short completion just four yards and it'll be second down he's been quiet today in the passing game just his second catch yeah and people have to come up with schemes to limit him and and what a lot of teams do they'll double him you know use a linebacker underneath a safety over the top sometimes they'll just take a corner maybe their third Corner if he's a bigger guy and put him on a manto man to try and limit his touches just keep mixing it up give him different angles different looks like a good boxer does throwing again on second down but this time it's incomplete it's been clear in this matchup which side has been the more physical one it's been this defense and here's another example on that last play these guys have punted four times already and they're staring at a fifth barring a conversion here on third down again he'll drop to throw he's going to get that to his running back out of the back field and he will have a Patriots first down as they're able to get the third down conversion but they certainly had success throughout this contest getting him the ball in the passing game and there he picks up another first down whatever they saw going into this one they've been able to capitalize on it and no adjustment has been made to take it away in Washington territory now here's first and 10 at the 39 yd line and they're not going to get to the line to run another play so we will switch in as the third quarter has come to a close this is the National Football League on EA Sports back now in Foxboro the drive continues as they 4th quarter search for a tying touchdown here's first and 10 and he'll work it inside the 30 to the 29 yd line 84 yd rushing for him now in the ball game oh that's one to warm the hearts of all those old school football players isn't it tough hard gritty run got behind his pads bowled over a few people look at that one right up the gut so out through three quarters no reason to lighten up now on second and very short Jones that'll be complete to Stevenson and they're going to have another first down here as the tackle made at Washington's 18 give them 11 yds that time and a new set of downs another catch for him there on this drive Brandon and it looks like they're going to utilize him out of the backfield any way they can and that time they pick up a first down so now on defense do you assign a man to him and try and cover him before he gets going and they'll bring him down at the 13 yd line give him five on the carry there and it'll be second down and that's exactly what you want on a first down run pick up five yards bring up second and five the defensive line though they've got to figure out a way to out leverage the guys up front because the offensive line is winning at the point of attack Jones now to throw on second down this complete to Henry over the middle and the Patriots are going to be set up with a first and goal coming up as they get him down at the 6yd line tell you what he's been able to put the ball in some tight spots all game long that throw no different yeah a lot of people would call it a gutsy type of a throw I think he looks at it as I can do it so it's not that big of a deal to me and I'm going to keep firing here's Stevenson and nothing doing he's immediately taken down at the line of scrimmage they'll say no gain on the play and it'll be second and goal they've called his number a lot this afternoon you wonder how much tread is left on those tires we certainly do but I always think back to one of my favorite coaches in the NFL and he used to have a meeting with his running backs every year in the off season and say look as many times as you're going to carry the ball you should be able to carry it one more time so make sure you get in shape and he gets halfway there from the six to the three on a gain of three two straight shots on the ground now on third do you go to the air I think the possibility exists and if you're doing it you're probably going play action since you ran it twice but I often think that second down is the time you go play action and throw the ball I say commit to the run and think about it being four down and they're going to get to him a sack sacked back at the 9 yd line jabril Cox and there to drop him for a 6yd loss and that will lead to fourth down even keeping the back end for Extra Protection on third down they still couldn't prevent the sack now it's Fourth and long thanks to a terrific individual effort on defense and his kick is right there it's good well I don't know if they would have gone for it on Fourth and goal anyway but the sack on third down pretty much made their mind up for them you're exactly right about that and this is a tough place on the field to take a sack because as you just noted it took the decision making away from them now they have to go for a field goal instead of potentially going for [Applause] it [Applause] Ryland now following the touchdown back out to kick it [Applause] away and they'll start this drive just across the 30 pretty nice work on the return the Washington offense set to take over again obviously not the intended goal last Drive they had to punt the the football but still they've got the lead here and now a chance to add on to that lead if they can get points on this drive first and 10 [Applause] upcoming Howell and the commanders come up now first and 10 at the 31 yd line here's Gibson to start the drive and this will leave him a yard short nice pickup of n yards on first down if you can keep getting gains like that Charles with the lead here in the fourth quarter I mean keep running it right no doubt about it but what the offense coordinator has to do is understand they're going to continue to stack the line of scrimmage what runs do you have in your Arsenal that'll work against a stack box and continue to move the ball second down and a run by Robinson and for one of the few times here today this Run's not going to go anywhere not enough there for a first no gain as a matter of back and it leaves them at third and one now obviously that's some good work there defensively being able to stop them and bringing up a key third down but if you're on the offensive side of the ball There's an opportunity because I know what defensive guys are thinking right now just stop them get to the ball that means it might not be sound defensively there could be some opportunities and you said key third down highlight that word put it in bold here we go he needed a yard that's exactly what he got earns him a new set of downs Bron on the lead but momentum certainly been going the opposite direction so to me that's a really important pick up there on third down try and regain some confidence and you're right they need to stem the tide a little bit that certainly helped and some Nifty running here as he'll take this across Midfield and down to the 47 it's a pickup of 12 and a commander first down and Carries like that that's how they're going to continue to Salt this thing away here Charles in the fourth quarter yeah how about that a new set of downs clock continues to move move no better way to close out a game than to tap those mastadons you have up front and say guys keep pounding them let's keep the ball keep their offense on the sidelines and let's close this one out and good space to operate there as he takes this down inside the 35 yd line another nice gain 13 yds that time and another first down no doubt those are the types of carries they're looking for here Charles the lead in the fourth quarter this is when coaches and have a reliable running game they breathe a little easier on the side line yeah they love the idea that they can take the air out of the football at this point of the game that means they're really counting on that offensive line counting on the runners taking care of the football because you're going to tell your quarterback hey no time to be a hero we're not going to throw it here just eat up that clock and if you have the ball they can't [Applause] score on First and 10 it's Robinson and he gets it inside the 10 to the nine and they'll accept that [Applause] penalty and how will throw it over the middle he gets it to Gibson and he's going to be taken down right at the 10 yd line we often talk about understanding The Playbook understanding progressions and understanding what the defense is doing we saw all of that on that play great recognition and understood where his running back was going to be found a way to have him leak out underneath hit him with the football and they picked up the first down sh and he will fight his way into the end zone for a touchdown Antonio Gibson a 10yd touchdown run and the commanders get an important score there to extend their lead here in this fourth quarter sometimes you get a first and goal and you're back near the seven eight n yd line and you start thinking maybe we'll run it here on first down to get half of what we need so maybe we can have two or three shots at going for it from closer range so this is a bonus right here what a great run to work his way into the end zone extra point by Sly is up good and that pushes the lead up to [Applause] 11 Joey slide now to kick off after the [Applause] touchdown Here Comes Montgomery now to return it and he'll get it up past the 20 to about the 22 New England trying to get into play on offense and you figure after giving up that last touchdown you know they Trail by two scores here in the fourth quarter this drive becomes very critical Jones in the Pats now with a first and 10 at their own 22 it's Stevenson with a run to begin the drive trying to find a lane but instead he'll get back to the line of scrimmage and no more Jamon Davis there to bring him down I think what we just saw there partner was linebacking speed that can Trump o line power we see that at times because he filled the gap before the offensive lineman could get to the next level and take him on back to throw now on second and [Music] 10 and is caught by Smith Shuster and he'll go out near Midfield at the 49 27 yds there a first down well every drive from here out is definitely crucial and critical they know that they need to get at least three here to get it back to a one- score game but I can't imagine that in their huddle that they're thinking at all about getting a field goal they want to get into the end zone and then try and get the ball back again on the draw is Stevenson what a determined run there as he's going to take this all the way down near the 40 11 more yards that go around a first down as well well partner I know this type of running back I mean this size this intensity usually gets better as the game goes on I just tell you from experience the first few quarters oh you're eager you come running up there air I'm going to tackle this guy by the fourth quarter you're coming up and thinking about it and dline wearing down fourth quarter yeah that's not a guy they want to see consistently the throw over the middle taken in and the result here a Pi up of eight leaves him with two to go on second [Applause] down under four to go now as the clock runs and they come up on second down up the middle here's Stevenson and he'll be a little shy of the 25 here at the 26 yd line seven yds there there and a first down well they're getting ready to go to work now in Prime real estate after that last run found his spot and picked up nice yardage didn't he and now he's got him knocking on the door of the Red Zone and they're going to speed things up here they go playaction here on first [Applause] down and it's knocked away and incomplete going for The Knockout blow right there I think if I'm up two scor I'd be worried about an interception but playing this way is what got him this lead so you may as well ride it out to the end now a second and 10 now Montgomery he's got it on the draw and not much of a hole there as he gets it down to about the 24 yd line they do get a couple but they'll be left staring at a third and eight coming up early down steps will put this offense in a precarious position we know the securing the point of attack especially against the big bodied guys in the middle of this day has got to be Priority One eighth play of the drive fourth coming and they need eight yds on third [Applause] down throwing there but this pass is going to wind up incomplete coverage was awfully tight there on third down they actually closed off all the passing Lanes forcing the incompletion and bringing up fourth down on now the rookie fourth round pick Chad Ryland for the Patriot field goal and this one a 41 yd attempt and his kick is good and that'll make this an eight-point game all right so they needed two scores to get back in the game the field goal there maybe not exactly what they wanted but the necessary First Step there's still time remaining and there's enough time to get it done they've got to get at the least a three and out here to get the ball back preferably a takeaway back out is the kicker Ryland and he'll send this one [Applause] away from a yard or two deep here comes a return and they'll get him down right around the 25 actually the 26 six officially so a net gain of one there Brian Robinson Jr making his way back onto the field he's been a good Workhorse I know we use the word Workhorse a lot but he's been a good Workhorse for him in this one no doubt about it and there's nothing wrong with that that's what you're looking for if you're a back because that means everything's comeing together for you big guys up front have created space you've run through it you probably got some help even from the wide receivers who want to catch passes as opposed to block but they're helping out too yeah everyone's pitching in he's had a good game here's a run on first down that won't even get back to the line of scrimmage he will lose a yard second and 11 decent start defensively to this series they've got to stop them here and get this ball back I like the way you phrase that partner decent start but now it's got to be more about the ball it's all about the ball getting it away from them because making good tackles is one thing but the clock will run out on you you've got to have the football back for your offense fourth quarter down to the final two minutes and we've got a one- score game you'd have to think likely another running play coming here second and 11 he's going to get it again just looking to get forward and protect the ball and now right out of the two-minute break they'll get a timeout used defensively with a minute 56 to [Applause] go this is a big third down and you'd have to think we'd see a timeout right away if they can't stop him here throwing here how and he can't get a throw off he's taken down what a huge play at this point in the game here's trese now as the drive goes backwards so he's on to putt it away fair catch signal for and taken just shy of the 30yd line so now Jones and the Patriots down by eight a minute 47 on the clock how will this thing pan out we'll watch as they come up on first down here's Jones completes it to Douglas and he's going to get out of bounds with the first down so an ideal set of circumstances there they move the chains and they save that final timeout that's what they need right now get the first down get out of bounds stop the clock just playing smart football understanding the situation making the plays necessary and making sure that clock stops at every opportunity just the one timeout remaining as they try to navigate this two-minute drill first and 10 a throw there but that's going to wind up incomplete he's unable to complete it there and just not not the game that you would expect from him he's been off the mark really start to finish yeah it makes you wonder what exactly is going on is he a little bit dinged up here or is it just off just by a bit maybe he can get it back in this situation he'll need to now Jones and that'll be off the mark too far out in front and it's incomplete backto back incompletions but we know this is definitely four down territory time not on their side I don't think they want to try and get the first down and two installments I think they got to go and get it right here right now and now a tough spot here this is third and 10 Jones and this is going to be incomplete with that incompletion reality is staring them right in the face this entire game is down to the next [Applause] snap here we go this is fourth down desperation time now here's Jones and he knocks the ball away and it falls incomplete they had to go for it with such little time remaining and this defense will take over right at Midfield no surprise they try to throw the ball on fourth down but it gets batted down they don't pick it up well a little football 101 when you're going toward that quarterback you see he's going to start to throw get your hands up right get your hands up affect the play and then everyone get your hands up when the ball gets to the receiver Moment of Truth knock it away good starting field position for them here as they come up first and 10 right at the 50 yd [Applause] line oh here's a fake on the Jet Sweep and it give to Robinson and he will will have a commander first down and that should just about do [Applause] it and they take a knee [Applause] clock counting down toward 40 seconds as they take the knee yeah it's fun to kneel down in front of your home crowd but when you go on the road that Band of Brothers attitude right just us against the world and get it done how happy are they I remember a coach at a previous stop telling me you get a win on the road doesn't matter the opponent get out of there like you stole something and they they did in this one how going to go down to a knee and that should just about wrap this up so a victory here for the Commanders and I'll tell you what it has not been with a whole lot of frequency over the last couple of decades or so that teams have come into New England and escaped with a victory but that's what happened here it almost doesn't feel real does it we've seen it so few times that actually happened right we saw it they came out of there with a win and on the other side in that locker room you know what Player stats they're saying we didn't really lose time just ran out on us that's the attitude they have because they don't see it happen very often not even sure how to handle it and you see some stunned faces heading for the exits here in New England so that'll do it for my partner Charles Davis and the best darn crew in the industry I'm Brandon G this has been a presentation of the NFL on EA Sports and with that we say so long from Team stats Foxboro