Madden 24 - Washington Commanders @ New England Patriots - All Time Teams Week 9

Madden 24 - Washington Commanders @ New England Patriots - All Time Teams Week 9 [Applause] 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 all just ahead on Madden NFL 24 EA Sports coverage of the National Football leag brings us to Gillette Stadium in Foxboro Mass coming up we got a good match up on tap here as it'll be the Washington commanders taking on the New England Patriots with Charles Davis as always I'm Brandon Gard Charles you talk about story lines in this one I think it begins and ends with our two quarterbacks certainly two of the best in the business and nowadays I don't think you can get by for long periods of time without a topf flight quarterback the way the game is played played with all the responsibility he has and how the game flows through him if he's not on the top of his game your team's not going to benefit at [Applause] all [Applause] 1st quarter set to go now on a beautiful sunny afternoon and we are underway in Foxboro and able to get this across the 20 but not much further as he's dropped at the 23 yd line so now the Patriots getting set to take over on offense and a glance here at the man calling the plays under Center their 6-4 quarterback and there's a word that constantly gets thrown around with this guy when you talk to anyone in the building potential they are Skyhigh on what they believe he can grow into in the role of a starting quarterback in addition there are plenty around the league who think that as well and years from now he can still be leading this offense out first play first pass for Brady brought in by coats and he is out of bounds right around the 34 that's a pick up of 11 and a first down on their first offensive play a lot of tight ends just use their size and their strength try to occupy some space and kind of body people away and catch the football but not this guy he's a refined route Runner makes me wonder if he took some dance classes in his background with his footwork Brady now on first down he's got it complete to gronowski and he'll be taken down but not before he gets into enemy territory it'll be a patriot first down on a pickup of 16 nowadays this has become routine hasn't it that was a heck of a route there by the tight end a great double move for a big time catch down field first down Brady looking for Edelman and he hits him it's complete and he's tackled a yard short of the marker good gain of nine on first down simple drag route here lined up out left and tried to work his way back across the field you probably saw me Twitch there partner because I think he wanted the ball a little bit sooner by the time he looked it in Defender was right on him they'll set up to run the quarterback draw and this one's going to go the wrong way losing yardage back at the 42 they go backwards there two yds and second and one is now third and three he we could easily read his mind there there was just no place to go tried to bounce it and get outside on the draw yeah but the defense wasn't thinking pass they knew that they were running it and I love the way that they covered all the gaps you know we can do all the lettering and the numbering and all those things but those run fits that we talk about all the time each person fitting in the the proper spot on defense you see the end result when they do that still third down now after the fal start they need eight yards here on third down Brady now to throw and that is incomplete yeah still early in the game no sense taking a chance on third down and forc him one into traffic so I like the wise play he made there get it to the sideline out of bounds where no one's going to have a chance at it the Patriots send out their punter as the first drive of the game stalls out he's on to punt and this will carry out of bounds where are they going to spot it now at about the 18 yd line it looks like here are the commanders for their first drive of the game and a glance here at the vet he's got a lot of years under his belt in the National Football League his ability to adjust on the Fly is almost unmatched in the game right now because it leads to a couple of snaps per game where you just sit back and ask yourself how did he pull that off opponents can practice and prepare each and every week all they want but this guy he is hard to Corral now a first carry for their fullback and he goes across the 20 to the 22 call it a gain of four on First and that'll make it second down good solid gain on first down about what you'd expect from the big guy carrying the [Applause] ball now a second and six now they'll throw here out of the gun short throw to Smith so five yds here five on the play and that will bring up third and one brand the perfect defense in this situation would have meant that there was an incompletion they would have picked it off okay so they gave up the completion but I really enjoyed watching how the defense stayed in sync stayed in great communication and as he dragged across each Zone you see him pointing communicating there he is and it passed him off to each Defender ended up making a nice play even though it was complete they have the first down with that gain of four yards third and one who you going to call not the scat back you go with the big man hand him the ball and let him get up field and pick up a first down line of scrimmage the 31 now on First and 10 and again they'll go right back to their fullback and this is going to be a commander first down as he'll get this up to about the 42 that guy's going to want the football a whole lot more more I'd hate to be the offensive coordinator now because all he's going to say is how come I'm not touching it more do you see me out there moving around wiggling and making it happen give me the ball coach so two first downs and that moves the ball to the 42 now first and 10 they'll set up to throw short throw to Smith so give him two yards there on the completion and that will bring up second down oh it's time to give a little credit there to the defense they played that very well because it was a drag route and he ran a little shallower than normal as he worked straight across the field he was hoping he'd get lost behind the defensive line but once he made the catch nowhere to turn up field and gain any yardage here's second and eight throwing middle and it's complete and he'll be brought down at the 48 yd line that one a first down pick up of eight and as a quarterback you're always pleased when you can use all the weapons at your disposal here he spots his fullback under underneath gets the completion right there for a nice pickup so into Pats territory now here's first and 10 at the 48 yd line now a shotgun snap as they'll look to throw and his throw is going to be incomplete so many times when we talk about coverage we're just about a Defender running with a receiver but a big part of it is understanding where the football is finding it in this case when it arrived it was wasn't a surprise and he was able to bat it away here's second and 10 again he'll drop to throw the Pats are going to get there down he goes the defense rising to the challenge and setting him back on the sack all about the offense so far this drive putting something sustained together but the defense they responded on that play second and manageable became third and long the drive March into the end zone is one play from stalling [Applause] out ninth play of the drive now on Third and a country [Applause] mile now back to throw and that will be incomplete as a defensive back you have some weapons at your disposal that we don't often talk about and you can the receiver's eyes you can read his hands and you know that the arrival of the ball is imminent and that allows you to make a play on it and often times knock it away Washington going to send out their putter as he's on the punt for the first time this afternoon and that one hits at the seven but bounds into the end zone and that'll be a Touchback so back onto the field come the Pats for their second Drive last series for him 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 [Music] 10 throwing on first down is Brady short throw complete to gr Kowski and he is brought down at the 22 after a gain of two and it brings up second down not a big window to throw coverage wasn't too bad there yeah they had him under wrapped pretty well but somehow able to muscle his way open and catch the ball from the 22 here's second and eight here's Brady and he'll wind up losing yardage here back at the 21 yd line a yard in the wrong direction makes third down tougher third down and nine well Brandon we can see that play developing and they were hoping that he was going to be able to put a move on the first guy and turn it into a big play but no such luck the speed on defense continues to get better and better in the NFL pretty nice example there of those guys being able to run from their assignments and finish off that play now a third down throw but it misses the target inmp complete two drives won't tell the story of this game but you absolutely have to like how this defense has played thus far they have yet to allow this offense to get untrack in this [Applause] one the Patriots send out their punter as he's on to kick it away and no return on this one as the fair catch is signal for and taken so possession goes over here on the punt and it will be Washington football now with a first and [Applause] [Applause] 10 they've gone to their fullback quite a bit he'll get it again give him a couple on the carry there second and eight now that's the defense that they were looking for able to get extra bodies to the point of attack to deal with the big guy carrying the ball you really don't want to be in a position where it's a one-on-one tackle with him from the 31 here's a second and [Applause] eight on the G this is their fullback only a gain of a couple there that leaves them needing about seven here on third down well big man with ball met bigger man on the other side of the line a really nice play for the [Music] [Applause] [Music] defense Here Comes third down at [Applause] seven they'll drop to throw he's got his Target that's complete and he's going to have a commander first down as they're able to get the third down conversion I don't care how many times we say it I still get a kick out of watching quarterbacks and receivers do the pass trick in pregame warmup but I always remember that when we go to practices we see that after practices as well they really tune it up don't they they tune it up they know why they do it for these situations first down and they build that trust and that's why they're able to find him in this type of a situation oh they're going to run a little pop pass here a nice play design there with the touch pass looked good at the start but bottom line the defense was ready and they did a nice job scouting didn't they not just scouting but now executing once they saw the play for real after having worked on it all week in practice they drilled on the play then they drilled him from the 46 here's second down and seven back to throw here he finds his man complete that's moss and they'll get to him after a gain of seven to the 47 and I think this is a route we'll see more of as this game goes on because with his speed they want to get him the ball in space on drag routes just like this they want him to get the ball and run after the catch good job there though holding him for a short gain they'll stick with the passing game as he looks to throw and he is caught and he's got another first down as the tackle is going to be made at the Patriots 30 17 yds is the pickup there for number 17 I don't care who you put on him he's going to be a handful in one-on-one throws yeah right now you're right they're in manto man maybe need some safety help I would say that'd be a good idea double team him somehow I'm going to have to make someone else beat me rather than let him shred my defense now a play fake here on first down quick hitter here it's complete and a good stiff arm there before he's brought down on a nice little gain that coach has always harp on the quarterback reading the defense and getting it to the open man that's good recognition there and how about what he did after the catch yeah hit your tight end let him get some rack yeah when he when he gets moving not many guys want to come over and put a hit on him do they they'll look to throw again throwing quickly there but it's incomplete well certainly appears that they're going to try and keep getting him the football it's the third time they've looked in his Direction unfortunately haven't completed one yet but I'm not sure they're going to shy away from him they feel like they've got something there and they want to capitalize I think you're right we're only in the first quarter so a lot of opportunities ahead and they'll let their fullback try and push the pile they end up getting stuck twice after that nyd gain back on first down I get the thought process third and short give it to the fullback let him bulldoze his way but that means you're counting on your offensive line to win the line of scrimmage aren't you yeah there was just a mass of bodies there at the line looked like more Defenders than offensive guys winds up losing yardage the offense staying out they're going to go on Fourth and two he'll look to [Music] throw this time for Smith and it's intercepted and the Patriots are going to get the ball back on the turnover as they hold on fourth down well we saw plenty of that during his much heralded college career he parlayed that into becoming a first round selection and now here he is making interceptions in the National Football League and this is a guy that has all the physical tools but the thing that sets him apart is what he's got between his ears and that's the six sense for knowing where the football is going just an excellent play there to create the [Music] turnover they'll start this drive out on the ground and he'll power his way forward for about four yds there on the first down carry and that's frustrating for a defense because they've got them pinned down deep and on the first play they give up a run that keeps an offense on schedule yeah cuz three to four yards that's all you're looking for right there right that's absolutely perfect really as a play call you get three to four yards on first down that's what they talk about D all the time about being ahead of the chains or On Target ahead of schedule they were after that run and a gain of about four here moves this from the six up to the [Applause] 10 we're scoreless after one start of the second quarter from Foxboro it's the home standing Patriots with the football third and two as they've got it 2nd quarter as we resume action on third down n and he works it across the 25 before being tackled it'll be a patriot first down on a pickup of 16 and they really need to get something going didn't they they had punted on the last two possessions the running game starting to come to the front for them providing a nice pickup there to keep this drive [Applause] going they'll run on first down Nance and he'll power ahead but only for about three yds second down coming up not a huge carry there on first down but not all of them will be but still all in all a positive play for the offense it's all about picking up at least a few to set up what you're going to do here on second down here's second and [Music] seven they'll keep it on the ground Nance four yds on the pickup there as it'll leave him with a third and about four more for a first typically we think it's the strong safeties that are better tacklers especially closer to the line of scrimmage amidst traffic but in this case how about the free safety coming up and making the Big Time play this offense on third down today just one for three thus far this is third and four to throw is Brady look in the middle of the field and he's got a man complete and he will have a Patriots first down as they're able to get the third down conversion well a lot of times when you get a manable third down situation like this you have to think about your tight end and he comes through for him picking up the first down this offense finding its legs now here's another first and 10 now a give right side Nance and this one's going to go the wrong way losing yardage back at the 42 officially it's a Oney yd loss that's going to bring up second and 11 I like the strategy extra tight extra beef they want to run the football but that means they probably want to run it inside if you get strung out on the perimeter you're in Peril yeah we saw the result negative yardage on playaction it's Brady short throw complete to granowski be a gain of five and now third down and six to go it's not quible about the gain there on second down that was a positive play because that was a take what you can guess situation got out to the tight end now it gives him much better opportunity to convert on third down so they need six yards here on third down they're two for two on third down tries so far on this drive throwing now is Brady and the commanders are going to get there as he's taken down he couldn't get away there on third down the pressure too much and he's sacked for a loss of 12 now that was a passer nightmare the front door totally shut down by the defense so he kept going backwards hoping to find another Avenue of Escape it didn't exist the Patriots send out their punter as he's on here to putt it away and he's been a busy man here in this first half as he gets it away and that's a 48 yd HT with a coverage holding him to three on the return and the commanders will take over with a first and 10 and the Washington offense heading out and partner I know so far we're still in the first half but you love this game as a defensive guy zero to zero we'll see if the offense can get going on this drive but you know how they talk about music to your ears how about what it does for your eyes when you watch something like this right where these teams are locked in and going at it no points going up on the scoreboard I'm loving it you're exactly right well switch over though to an offensive mindset for a moment what do they need to do here to get on track and get some points I think a couple of ways number one you pull out something maybe they haven't seen before coaches always talk about UNS scouted looks maybe you give him something that they haven't seen on tape and now you shock them that way the second run your basic Playbook but run it so well that you give your scope position guys a chance to make big plays individually and this is going to be a commander first down as he'll take this forward to the 27 Brandon you know how we talk about having wrinkles in a game plan that was a fold right there how about that play being able to change things up you think anyone else on the team's going to get the ball and in that situation they surprise everyone and give it to their big [Applause] guy they go playaction here on first down throwing left side it's complete and out of bounds on the other side of Midfield at the 45 a very solid gain of 27 well that certainly has to feel good and it's not all the time that the play caller should get all the credit sometimes I think in the Huddle the quarterback just says hey who's going to make a play for me I just need something right here and the end result there nice first down drive keeps moving so into Pats territory now here's first and 10 at the 45 yd line back to throw and the timing a bit off that time as that one falls to the ground nice progress down the field was halted by that incompletion they could try for some safe yards here to get things moving again or keep throwing it and pushing it down field to try and pick up bigger yardage second and [Applause] 10 a give to the fullback on the dive they get six that'll leave them with third and four more they've definitely established a rhythm on this drive moving the ball quite well and big man with football is an integral part of the whole [Music] thing in search of four yards here to pick up the first down they're going to look to [Music] throw short throw to Smith well this is going to depend on the spot but it's not a very generous one he looks to be about a yard or so short calling a gain of three on the play and that'll bring up fourth down a short game that doesn't get on the first down brings up a fourth down situation really nice job defensively they knew where the sticks were they got the stop before it oh and now movement and a whistle and they may have to rethink their plans on fourth down oh jumping early from his tight end spot maybe trying to get a jump start on that route yeah I think you're exactly right about that and often times when you see that that means the play call was supposed to come in his Direction and he was eager to go catch a [Applause] pass Washington going to send out their putter as he'll putt it away for the second [Applause] time out of bounds and close the question was it a touch back no they'll say it crossed out out at the 2yd line the Patriots offense now they work their way back onto the field we've seen both of these offenses still sort of in that figuring things out phase but I suspect some action on the scoreboard soon as they start out here first and 10 excellent placement and off that bounce Charles I didn't know where it was going to go it can be an inexact science as to where they place it but they say the 2yd line yeah I don't know how they really determine that and let's face it at the end of that play one side's going to be happy the other team's going to be unhappy what they do shorten the hypotenuse I mean how do they figure that out you know that stuff you're the smart guy oh that's you partner and he'll get it up to the 12 yd line here that one good for 10 yds and it'll be second and very short now that was an excellent run and when you see that happen that's when you're seeing guys doing their job and then some people doing a little bit more offensive lineman and tight ends they're expected to block but the wide receivers all they want to do is catch passes so when they block on a big time running play and create extra space you've kind of hit the jackpot there and he stopped immediately there officially it's no gain on the play and they'll remain a few inches shy of a first with third down looming Here Comes third and about a foot they'll keep it on the ground Dan and he's taken down but not before he gets this across the 25 yd line 45 yds rushing now on eight carries for him so far we all love to have a home run hitter in the back field guy can take of the distance but in short yardage trying to pick up first downs that big guy always a nice luxury to have isn't he on First and 10 here's Brady short throw complete to gronowski and they'll get him down after a pick up of Eight Second and two I know the halim's approaching but I don't think he's going to want to take a break that's his fifth catch yeah they've really been targeting the tight [Applause] end from the 35 here's second down and two playaction now it's [Music] Brady going up top and this is incomplete oh looked like he had a pretty good line on that one that would have been a big play but he could not pull it in and that is not what you expect from a receiver of his caliber sometimes you get a little ahead of yourself you don't look it in and all of a sudden it's on the ground a surprise to all on playaction now Brady that's to the sideline and incomplete the passing game not in syn here early and now it's fourth down I know this offense was expecting to do big things but it certainly hasn't turned out that way at least not through the first three drives they're definitely going to have to put their heads together and start concocting some offense that'll move the ball down field so they're forced to punt on Fourth as this one's away this is taken at the 15 and nine yds there on the return following a punt of 47 and it will be first and 10 as they take over here we go on the next drive for Washington the crowd may be losing just a little bit of the edge after back-to- back punts they want some big plays they want to see some offense they want to see somebody break away whether it's through the air or on the ground now it'll be interesting to see where the patience is on both sides each head coach can you hang in there and not try and force something that could put your team in some Jeopardy they'll come out throwing here to start the drive and he bats it away and it falls down incomplete well he certainly thought he had a window to push that ball down field but as soon as he released the throw the corner was there to slam that window [Applause] shut an incomplete pass leads to Second and 10 from the 25 they'll run it here this is their fullback getting the carry and he'll be upended at the 28 yd line just a three yd gain there and that was a good Collision right there and I know this as a former Defender if you're playing linebacker you're going through a check list on every play of who you think's going to get the ball where you think the ball's going to go rarely do you expect the fullback position to get it and on that play he did so you got to steal yourself at that point because the contact is going to be strong and and he's going to come up a bit short he needed to get to the 35 for the first but he only makes it to the 34 well it looks like they got what they wanted they got the completion but they weren't able to break any tackles or gain nearly enough yardage to pick up the first down now to be fourth and short averaging 50 yds of boot so far as this one's away now brown 45 yds that's what the punt goes for five on the return and the Patriots take over New England try to get to place on offense they've been playing the field position game thus far no score second quarter as they come up on First and 10 to throw it's Brady he's got room past the 30 and finally brought down at the 34 yd line it'll be a gain of 10 to start the drive out and by a few inches that'll be a first down but one of the ways the 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 on first down Nance and this defense able to plug him up there as he'll get a yard to the 35 that felt like a trap cuz it looked to me like the opposing front was on that play from the GetGo they had everyone crashing the ball Carri before he even made the line and they hold him to just a yard second quter two minutes to go tie ball game they work now on second and nine they go with Cunningham and he's across the 43 extra yards to the 43 I thought that was a good call passing situation on second down they hit him with a draw instead and pick up nice yardage yeah because the draw they're thinking pass when they see that initially defensively right well you know in today's NFL most of the time on second and long when it's a passing situation pass rushers on the field and they're only thinking one thing get to the quarterback and often times you can buy pass and with a running play and he will have a Patriots first down as they're able to convert by plenty there on Third and one that's a big conversion there on third down because they did not want to give the ball up here late in the half they'd love to take the clock all the way down and score this will definitely help the cause first down now but the clock continues to move now [Applause] Brady short throw complete to ground Kowski and he is tackled inside the 40 not quite to the 35 now the Patriot it's going to use one of their timeouts as they'll stop it with just over a minute to go before [Applause] halftime so from the 36 now first and [Music] 10 Brady now to throw oh he had a man running free but he overshot him and it's incomplete that was a chance for the Breakthrough he's got a man running free and you've got to be able to put that on him but instead let him too far incomplete Brady's incompletion on first down leads to a second and [Applause] 10 they run with Cunningham and maybe a little over Pursuit there as he's able to take this down to the 25 yd line that goes as a gain of 11 and a patriot first down 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 Brady now on first down short throw complete to gronowski now the Patriots will use the second of their timeouts as they'll stop it with 27 seconds remaining here in the second quarter now second and three now Brady that's caught it's Cunningham and they'll bring him down at the 13 yd line a gain of five good enough for the first down the Patriots will take their third and final timeout and with halime on the horizon they'll be out of timeouts from here [Music] forward boys stay go from the 13 now they work on First and 10 here's Brady to throw to the back of the end zone but too high over everybody and incomplete I'm really liking what I'm seeing from this defense because their coverage has been pled 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 Brady's incompletion on first down leads to a second and 10 again he'll drop to throw that one thrown away from the pocket the officials kind of looking at each other but they'll say there was a receiver in the area so no penalty just an incomplete pass what are you doing so with 4 seconds to go in the half here's the field goal unit on to the field from the right hash here should be an easy one and his kick here is good and we have action on the scoreboard just before halftime it's three nothing well on a close game like this obviously you want the touchdown but certainly they will take the three and they'll be okay with that but let's throw a little credit to the defense as well and I'm just glad this doesn't come down to a debate right which side won partner because the defense hey we didn't give up a touchdown the offense hey we put three on the board either way you look at it I think both sides gained something out of that [Applause] drive so still time for the kickoff here 1 second to go in the half as this one is away 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 all right BG thanks very much and welcome one and all to our beautiful new downtown Orlando studios for this EA Sports halftime report this one's been all about the defense just a lone field goal in that first half and as a result not too much available in terms of highlights but that's okay we've got a full half to go and to bring it your way let's get back out to Brandon and [Applause] Charles [Applause] 3rd quarter these offenses seemingly still back at the hotel for the first half three nothing our score as the second half gets underway and he'll take it a yard or so past the 20 call it the 21 here come the commanders for the first possession of the third quarter Charles it'll be interesting to see what adjustments this offense made in the locker room haven't really been able to get anything going offensively virtually nothing in the ground attack either so certainly something has to change here in quarter three and I'm pretty sure their friends from the defensive side of the ball told them exactly that because those guys the stop troops they've been playing pretty well they've kept them around in this game now they got some time the running game struggled in the first half opposition knows how to focus on defending the pass here they've got to re-energize that ground game and maybe open things up for a comeback here in this half probably a bit of a surprise call there on first down but how about a tone Setter for the drive picking up nice yardage with the big man setting the tone physically from the 29 here's second and a couple they'll try and run with their fullback and he'll get it up near the 35 right at the 34 here a gain of five good enough for the first down well not a lot of Flash and Dash on that play second and two and they hand it to the big man and he ends up picking up a first down little bit of gray area there though but I think what they thought hey we hand it to him here if we come back and don't get it we still got another down to try and pick it up it's caught Smith and he goes out right around the 39 so give him five yards there on the pitch and catch and it's second down nice play call little bit of play action right there if you can get those linebackers a freeze for just a split second that's usually all the room you need in order to get it to your tight end here's a second and five from the shotgun he'll look to throw goes right back to Smith again and getting this just shy of Midfield they'll spot it at the 49 back to- back receptions for him and it's another first down fifth catch of the game for him there yeah in the tight end position is now becoming a volume pass catcher used to be occasional right safety valve throw one to him every so often but mainly they want him out there to block nowadays an integral part of the passing game and they create such great mismatches that they often become the leading receiver this will be stopped about two yd shy of the marker 8yd gain second and two and that's a nice gain by him on first down picking up some key [Applause] yardage from the 44 yd line here's second and [Applause] two now carry here for the fullback looking for a scene but finding none he'll get back to the line of scrimmage and that's it he got maybe a half yard at most but officially they'll be left with a third and [Music] two trying to keep the drive going here this is number seven on Third and [Applause] two from the shotgun now here's an inside G and he's going to have a commander first down it won't be by much he needed three and he got three barely but the mark shows first down and how about that on third down so many different directions an offense can go throw it out wide to the receivers get it to their Speedy running back they changed up everything and handed it to the fullback and he surprised them all and picked up a first down [Music] so they accept the penalty of course and push the offense backwards a bit a false start backs him up five first and 15 from the shotgun now here's an inside G and down inside the 40 to about the 38 and a nice run to get him past the original line of scrimmage a gain of seven it's second and eight now that was a good chunk of yardage picked up there and the big fella sometimes he doesn't need a whole lot of space created he can make his own way from the 38 now here comes second and eight now they'll switch it up here and look to throw he finds his man complete that's moss and he's got another first down as the tackle is going to be made at the Patriots 18 that good for 21 yds on the catch and run I don't know what they talked about at halftime whatever it was it worked they looked like a different team here in the third quarter yeah I doubt that there are very many trash cans that got kicked over that type of a speech I think what they did was they analyzed what worked in the first half what didn't and figured out a better game plan still in search of their first touchdown of the game but they're on the Move first and 10 he'll look to throw and that one drops down incom complete good coverage there forc the ball free and it's second down my first thought is surprise because that's one of the better tight ends around and I've seen him pull in balls like this before but how about a little credit to the defense forcing that incompletion now a second and 10 they'll set up to throw throw left side complete to Moss four yds the gain and it'll bring up a third down well there wasn't much there with that hitch route they didn't gain what they expected but sometimes when you call a hitch you really don't have an alternate to go to you don't have a second route to throw it to so sometimes you have to rifle in there and hope for the best they are in need of six yards here if they hope to move the chains they'll stick with the passing game as he looks to [Music] throw and this is going to be incomplete fine work by the Patriot D there and it's 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 so on fourth down Ron Rivera sends out the field goal unit from the left Hash a 31 yd attempt and his kick is good and that will tie us at 33 so they come away from this opening drive of the third quarter with only three but it does draw them even yeah and that has to be job one doesn't it a touchdown definitely would have been nice we know that but here you get back on even terms and now you've got most of the second half to try and get yourself into a position to win so we're right back where we started all even as the kicks away from a yard or two deep here comes a return and he's up past the 20 to the 22 yd line so here are the Patriots now they get ready for their first possession of half number two and they're three-point halftime lead gone now back to a tie game but Charles I don't imagine that changes too much for this offense I would agree I don't think it changes much at all whether it's a three-point lead or a tie game they know they have their work cut out for them and they were going to run their offense in the same vein Brady now on first down over the middle here to cods and that's good for a gain of six and it'll be second down I know sometimes we can get full when we watch him make catches as we just saw him do there because he really looks like a wide receiver the way he goes about his business yeah 230 240 range yeah not not super huge maybe not counted on to be that inline point of attack blocker that we used to have in the good old days but you can Flex him out you can run wide receiver routes with him you can make him a primary target and that's how he'll shred a defense we saw this a lot in the first half and it continues these receivers just not able to get much separation so that means they have to win the 50 balls they've got to go up with the defender and find a way to start coming down with them and this time contact and another incomplete pass now Brady that is is caught and he will have a Patriots first down as they convert on Third and three with a nice gain of seven yds would 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 firing quickly here and that's complete and just three yds on the catch there he couldn't get away and that's going to bring up second down good throw good catch but I really like the route the drag and being able to run away from Defenders hard to stick with them for that long yeah better against man than zone or better against man because now you're running away from someone and you're not running into a defensive player in another Zone oh he can't get away and Brady will go down it'll go as a loss of about six and now it brings up third we are seeing two really confident defenses imposing their will on these offenses in this game yeah absolutely going toe for toe just curious if one of these offenses can wake up a little bit is there any way they can find something that can pop something big to knock them back on their heels he's going to leave this for his running back it's complete and he is going to lose yardage here it'll be a loss of four yds on the play and that's going to bring up a fourth down well you can see what they wanted to do they wanted to set up the screen there but it got blown up it's hard to run that play if you're not getting a lot of pressure at the quarterback because the space doesn't open up they were able to read that one and slow it down and stop it before they could get a first down and on fourth down on is the punt team sending this one away a call for a fair Catch and it's made at about the 23 yd line so a change of possession here on the punt and out will come the offense as they take take [Applause] over now a play fake here on first down a quick throw there is 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've seen it throughout this game both of these defense coordinators they're a step ahead of their offensive counterparts meanwhile the throw here is complete that'll leave him with a third and two coming up they got eight yards there and he went in route there from the slot for the completion love how he runs his routes because it's all setting up your Defender give him a little something one way take it the other way Head and Shoulder fake sometimes you make one step to the outside then break it inside really well run route and they'll go with a ground attack here and he's going to have a commander first down by about a yard as they're able to convert on Third and two it's amazing how much advice defensive players get on third down you hear the bench screaming out watch the draw watch the screen watch the pass here very rarely did they reference watching the fullback and he slipped through and picked up a first down back to throw now on first down it's caught on the right side it's Smith and able to break one tackle but then quickly brought down but a nice little gain a gain of three last play this time they double it and pick up six I know exactly what's going to be said about that play from the defensive perspective what's that that's why I tell all you guys we need more than one tackler to the ball he broke the first tackle luckily enough there were more people there to get him down and he'll be brought down just shy of Midfield at the 49 yd line that one a first down pickup of eight well after that pick up of a first down I think some of the defensive guys going to be looking over their coordinator and saying that was not in the scouting report that went against every tendency most teams have you don't usually hand the ball to your big guy in that situation sometimes you catch them by surprise they'll look to throw now on first down over the middle complete it's moss and he takes this one down almost all the way to the 30 that good for 21 yds on the catch and run now what we're seeing this is much better from this offense because so far in this game no touchdown to the point and what's usually a direct correlation very few explosive plays that's been their issue not able to make that big shot down field or break one off but a nice game there for a first down still in search of their first touchdown of the game but they're on the Move first and 10 on playaction they'll throw and a quick throw here that's complete and he'll be brought down at the 27 yd line short completion just four yds at it second down I wouldn't be surprised to see the next step in utilizing this position to actually utilize more of a scat back in this spot because we saw the catch there right he made it he's a bigger stronger guy maybe not quite as elusive as maybe someone else you would put there yeah didn't get the big yardage there you might out of a smaller bat so he'll be stopped here for no gain and now third down and six to go a defense loves to hang their hat on that don't they you get a guy that catches the ball but you stop him for No Gain without a doubt because also used to trying to catch people after the catch and they miss and that turns into what a huge play we've seen it so many times in this case though catch was and they're going to get him he's sacked back around the 28 it'll go in the books is a sack and a loss of a yard but more importantly it leads to fourth down and on that one the protection just broke down you've got to have that leverage don't you we always talk about low man wins in the running game for an def lineman versus defensive lineman it's essentially the same thing in pass protection get lower than that defensive lineman so you can keep your balance and keep him away from your guy trying to throw the football so his second field goal here in this third quarter the first one tied the game and this one gets them to lead but you just have to wonder if field goals are going to be enough at some point they've got to conclude these drives with the ball in the end zone Washington kick team back out there now as they will send this one away they'll elect to bring it out here from The End Zone and in hindsight probably should have taken a knee as he only gets this out to the 16 yd line [Applause] the Pats at the line ready to go and Charles we've seen almost three full quarters now and neither offense can really get it going neither has hit the end zone and either side seemingly can make that big play but the game hasn't been devoid of action because these two defenses they've taken over and they've slugged it out but I think you're exactly right we're at that stage of the game now we're one of these offenses if they make a big play that could be the difference we have played three quarters we'll return with more after this break you're watching the NFL on EA Sports back now in 4th quarter Foxboro the couldn't ask for much more to this point in the second half a gorgeous day one score game first and 10 here they'll keep it on the ground Nance and he'll power his way forward for about four yds there on the first first down carry and that was a quality play to start a new set of downs that was simply an offensive line winning the battle up front and winning in a big way and giving their guy in the back field a nice Lane to hit second and six they fake the hand off now Brady looking for Elman and he hits him it's complete and he'll be tackled right on the chalk at the 45 fifth catch of the afternoon and that gets him a first down and here we are in the fourth quarter partner and watch him drive for what would be a goahead touchdown and you and I both know this is where you need a quarterback who can keep his cool back there not just for himself but to keep the rest of the team relax too playaction now it's Brady and it's incomplete took shot couldn't connect this could be the start of a nice stand from this defense now after getting walked backwards on this drive come through with another one here and you have them staring at a third and long and that puts the defense in a position to dictate to the offense Brady's incompletion on first down leads to a second and 10 he'll drop to throw short throw complete to gronowski they get six that'll leave him with third and four that's a staple of this offense drag route to the tight endend yeah he's unable to use his size to break off much more yardage after the catch but still an effective gain [Music] nonetheless a field goal from this spot likely out of the question they've got to get closer here on third down Brady to throw again look to the middle of the field and he's got him man complete and they're going to have another first down here as the tackles made at Washington's 35 a third down conversion with a strong gain of 14 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 a tight a sharply Run route against Zone you're just looking for that open spot that dead area so you may 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 so just three yards on the completion there and it'll be second down one thing I think that's safe to say defensively the tackling has been really good and because of that it's been very very hard for them to move the ball because you're not getting the benefits of run after catch they're tackling them almost on the spot that means they have to run extra plays hard to move it and he works his way fre all the way down to the outskirts of the Red Zone 72 yds rushing on 12 carries for him now another carry for their leader and a good one it's crunch time they'll need him to continue to be productive in both the run and pass passing game in order for them to try and snatch a victory into the Red Zone it's Brady and he's got his favorite Target yet again it's complete stown a 20yd touchdown and the Pats put together a fourth quarter drive to take the lead so they get their tight end away from the line to the outside and he works his way in for six tight ends are not just blockers anymore I don't know how many more times we need examples but here's a great one gets to the outside they give him the ball pretty quickly and they trust him to get those extra yards and boy did he come through bulling his way into the End Zone after the nice catch now the try here for the extra [Applause] point and he's got it as the lead is now 10 six a good drive that time as they go nine plays in all and it ends with a New England [Applause] touchdown gasowski now after the touchdown he'll send this one away this taken in at the goal line and he'll be brought down right on the chalk of the 20 and Washington going to come back out here to take over offensively and they will be looking to answer the touchdown their defense just surrendered still a good chunk of time remaining here in the fourth quarter and a chance to regain the lead in a tight [Applause] one [Applause] and they'll run it here and he's going to be unable to get up field as they take him down at the 21 yd Line Credit him with a one yd gain there to make it second and nine that's someone who's pretty happy right there that's the defensive coordinator body after body getting to him before he can get started second and nine now from the 21 they'll drop to throw and the throw leted him too much that time it's incomplete he shook his head right when he released that throw he knew it was going to be a little off Target yeah the excitement got him on that one wasn't able to control the fact the receiver was open and it would have been an easy throw New England on third down they've converted five times and their many chances thus far this is third and nine and he's going to be brought down back at his own 6yd line multiple Defenders getting to him there for a huge loss well many times when you talk about mobile quarterbacks you get the sense that they feel like they can get out of any bad situation they keep moving around and trying to emulate guys like the Scrambler or the Dodger instead they keep losing yardage and losing yardage and digging themselves a hole that they can't get out of Washington going to send out their pter as the drive goes backwards so he's on to putt it away he's averaging just under 50 yds a punt as he gets this away with it is brown a 46 yd boot but just 36 following a pretty decent return of 10 yds and the Patriots will have great starting position as they take over first and 10 on First and 10 here's Brady short throw complete to gr Kowski that's good the completion there for seven yards and that'll make it second down nice Rhythm throw there on first down he located his tight end made it a nice easy pitch and catch hoping he can break a tackle or two wasn't able to do that there but still good yard so from the 37 here's second down and three now a give right side Nance and he's going to get it down to the 33 yd line here four yds the pickup first down I'm guessing you'd say this is kind of the key here grind out some yardage work on that clock see if you can continue to tick it down definitely you want to bleed things out at this point right continue to possess the football gain some yardage and put the OWN on the defense do they have to use timeouts what are they going to do to stop you you're taking charge maybe anticipating a blitz and they jumped yeah and if we saw it you know that they saw it the bad guys might have been coming on that play had to pick them up and they jumped the full start backs him up five first and [Music] 15 to throw it's Brady now he'll dump it underneath to his running back complete he'll be hit down at the 33 five yds on the play and we see another pitch and catch there to the running back this position just continues to evolve they become just as critical to the passing attack as a lot of receivers tight ends because their ability to make people Miss in the open field can really generate big plays for an offense to throw is Brady this ball tipped and it's going to be incomplete fortunate maybe to get that back it's third down so much of this game is about leverage we always talk about low man wins in the trenches bu like that at just about every position and sometimes if you lose that leverage and you're losing the battle just jump up at the line of scrimmage and try and bat the ball away and that's exactly what happen there throwing is Brady on third down he lets this one fly toward the back of the end zone and that will be incomplete they weren't scared to let it fly but it falls to the ground and brings up fourth down not only did he have a chance to scan the field there it felt like he had a chance to scan it twice the protection was that good unfortunately for him the coverage downfield equally good and this will split the uprights it's right down the middle and that'll open the lead up to a touchdown now at 13 to6 from a defensive perspective though I think maybe they're saying hey we did what we needed to do kept this a onore game yeah without a doubt because they were able to bleed some time off the clock right put themselves in a good position but it's not Out Of Reach yet okay being able to hold them to a field goal means that they do have a chance to come back and win this game [Applause] gasowski now converted for three now he'll kick this one [Applause] away and he won't quite make it to the 25 out comes Washington's offense as they get set to take over here and Charles a very uninspired effort the last time we saw them out there it was a quick three and out and they punted the football yeah and you never want to get stop so sound during the series but what would be even worse now is letting it happen again right here they've got to get [Applause] going they go playaction here on first down nowhere to go here he lost the football and it's picked up by the Patriots and they are going to take possession of the football inside the 15 at the 14 yd line feels like an accumulation of the pressure we've seen all game I mean he's been on the turf a whole lot because of sacks eventually something else happens as well and this time there was a turnover yeah caught up to him New England's offense set to go they'll be hoping to work a little clock and try to add on to this slim fourth quarter lead but whatever happens on this drive certainly a huge fumble recovery by their defense at this juncture here's a first and 10 at the 14 yd line now after the fumble recovery it's Brady and that's going to be caught for a patriot touchdown a 14 yd touchdown and the Patriots have opened up a two touchdown lead here in this fourth quarter we talk so often about how hard it is to win in the NFL when you turn the ball ball over and here a late turnover leads to a fourth quarter touchdown and a two-score lead and what's more important is being able to take advantage when a turnover presents itself you've got to come up with points to make the other guy pay they're able to do so here and they've got a pretty good chance now of winning this football game point after right down the middle and the lead now up to [Applause] 14 gasowski now after the touchdown he'll send this one away this fielded right at the goal line and Beyond the 20 but not by much in fact just a yard pass there to the 21 a look at Washington as they come onto the field right now they're in a bit of a tough spot here CD you trailing by double digits remember the last time out they fumbled they're going to have to play some clean football here on this possession and all the talk on their sideline has been about taking care of the football making sure that they're handling the ball correctly so you know they'll be squeezing the rock pretty tight here they just have to be careful not to go so hard in doing that that they actually cause themselves other problems take care of the ball but still try and play free and natural a little Jet Sweep to start the drive and that is not fooling anyone he never had a chance to turn the corner there and they'll go backwards right away well I think the hope is you know with a touch pass like that maybe you catch the defense off guard but they were all over that one and it is the kind of play that works better against certain defenses and this clearly was the wrong one to run into really nice job getting him down behind the line of scrimmage now a throw out to his fullback is complete so the completion good for seven there and now third down and six to go good sure hands there from a guy not accustomed to catching a whole lot of passes but how about the waves able to pull that one in and pick up good yardage third down at six now back to [Applause] throw and got his man complete and they've got it well across Midfield down to the 40 before it's all said and done a first down and then some 36 yards and here's a spot where this offense says we got to start making something happen we're down two scores it's the fourth quarter we've got to start moving with some urgency and here's a big play that gives them array of hope that they can get back in this one so the big Play Moves him all the way across Midfield to the 40 now for first and 10 [Applause] again he'll drop to throw looking for mclen and he's got him they'll wind up getting seven on the play and that'll bring up second down one things you're hoping for when you run drag routes you're able to hit a receiver in stride and he can pick up a lot of yardage after the catch but in this situation the defense was effective able to stop him before he could get a good head of steam going back to throw again quick hitter here it's complete second catch for him today and it'll wind up a first down but correct me if I'm wrong yeah you're down two scores I don't think you need to rush just yet but you can't take your time either yeah even if you don't want to commit to full two-minute offense you have to up the tempo up the urgency maybe you're starting to call two plays in a huddle each time you snap the [Applause] ball they'll look to throw again throw to the right here taken in by mclen so the comption good for six yds and it'll be second [Applause] down and they're going to speed things up [Applause] here they'll stick with the passing game as he looks to throw got a man and he hits him in stride so that'll be no better than an incompletion and now it's third and three Brandon just Mar that under the category of just not successful trying to throw the ball just didn't work on that one completed it no yardage the eighth play of the drive coming up it's third and three he'll look to throw he's got his Target that's complete and the commanders are going to have first and goal as they try to finish off this drive with six points and in a two-score game obviously every play every third down like we saw there magnified big pickup it was a huge pickup what they really want though is not even get to third down they've got to maximize time and cons serve as much as possible firing quickly here and that's complete and this will result in him losing yardage back to the three it'll go as a loss on the play not what you need down here it's going to be second and goal heck of a play there to get to him quickly and get him down for a loss I think they did a really nice job getting ready for this game Scout in watching film and understanding defensively what the play design was yeah he's got it when you're playing a quarterback with some experience and some Moxy you enter the danger zone when you decide to Blitz him because if he's able to diagnose as he did on that play he can hurt you down field he reads defenses so well doesn't he he really does and the best part about that play for him I don't think that was his primary target I don't think so either I think he had the read figured out where the blitz was coming coming from and went to a secondary Target for a really nice game and I don't think he got there no they stop him right where it all [Applause] started two minutes left to play in this football game here on EA Sports so it's Washington with the football here as we welcome you back they're looking at a fourth and goal here as they search for a late score here we go the noise deafening fourth and goal and this is caught now for a late touchdown so hold everything here this one's not over yet okay game on don't go anywhere yet you got a onore game now probably going to rely on the onside kick coming up yeah they have to it's not a high percentage play but it's better than not having a chance at all and that's when you put your leapers in your flyers on one side get that high hop and hope that one of the guys can come up with it and on the other side to get that hand steam ready no doubt about it they do tack on the extra point as well and now things get a bit more interesting here in this fourth [Applause] quarter [Applause] kick team out there for the commanders as they send this one away taken at the goal line and he returns this to the 22 and the Patriots gearing up to go now well they can smell Victory partner they can see it on the but certainly we're not done yet here defense still has three timeouts and obviously this is a very slim lead they're holding on to yeah let's face it the easiest way to get this done challenge your ground game challenge your offensive line your tight ends your receivers anyone who's going to lay down a block don't let there be penetration cuz they're going to stack the line of scrimmage and maybe bring extra people to the ball if you can do that make them burn their timeouts run out the clock life will be good but if you really want to gamble a little bit a quick play action quick throw might be able to get it done just make sure it's not incomplete and stop the [Music] clock second and 12 and you'd have to assume another allout effort to stop the run is coming they'll keep it on the ground Nance and they're able to get this one across the 35 the Commanders is going to use the second of their timeouts and they'll be disappointed to have to burn one there after giving up the first [Applause] down now a hand off up the middle Nance and that should do it he's got a first down and and the Patriots can run it out from here let's do our thing let's [Music] do and they will take a knee here [Music] on second down now Dan and he carries this one p the Midfield strip and into Commander territory I like a guy who understands the situation I also like a guy who who you look at him and you say that looks like a guy who knows the coach is going to say guess what you drop this one you'll be carrying around the training facility for an entire week maybe flashback to high school or college carrying it around campus right the old Gauntlet drill right anyone get the ball out while he's while he's sitting in class and bring it back to the coach he's in big trouble partner they took a knee to finish this one off to me that's the only thing they lost in the fourth quarter how about that comeback yeah trailed coming into the last frame got it done taking the [Applause] knee that was an excellent come from behind Victory Charles especially there in the fourth quarter both offense and defense were clicking they're going to feel good about this one Bo are they ever because the deficit they faced certainly wasn't small they obviously did not give up on that one and in the end how about that come from behind Victory they'll cherish this one for a while so that's a wrap for Charles Davis Player stats I'm Brandon gun and this has been a presentation of the NFL on EA Sports for more check us out at easports.com the Patriots winners here at home as we say so long from Foxboro for