SB Nation Boston - Patriots 35, Chargers 21: Tom Brady Has 423 Yards, 3 TDs In Winhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48863/boston-fave.png2011-09-19T12:28:20-04:00http://boston.sbnation.com/rss/stream/21955352011-09-19T12:28:20-04:002011-09-19T12:28:20-04:00VIDEO: Vince Wilfork's Intercepts Phillip Rivers, Rumbles Down The Field
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<p><span>Vince Wilfork</span> is probably the last guy on the team, maybe even the world, that you would expect to be picking off opposing quarterbacks and returning them for major yardage. But that's exactly what the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New England Patriots</a>' 325-pound nose tackle did in the Pats' 35-21 win over the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers" class="sbn-auto-link">San Diego Chargers</a> on Sunday. Take a look.</p>
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<p>Wilfork's pick was the first of his lengthy career, and he and the Pats defense forced four turnovers in the game. That was more than enough for <span>Tom Brady</span>, who threw for 423 yards and three touchdowns in victory.</p>
<p>New England and San Diego traded touchdowns in the first quarter before the Pats put up 13 points in the second quarter. Neither team touched the scoreboard in the third quarter and the Pats outscored the Chargers, 15-14, in the fourth quarter to clinch their second win of the 2011 season.</p>
<p><i>For more New England Patriots coverage, visit <a href="https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/">our team page</a> and blog, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.patspulpit.com/">Pats Pulpit</a>.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2011/9/19/2435495/video-vince-interception-video-new-england-patriots-nfl-newsGethin Coolbaugh2011-09-19T12:14:43-04:002011-09-19T12:14:43-04:00Patriots Vs. Chargers: Tom Brady, Pats Did Well 'In All Three Phases'
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<p><span>Tom Brady</span> had another dynamic performance on Sunday, throwing for 423 yards and three touchdowns as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> topped the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">San Diego Chargers</a>, 35-21, at Gillette Stadium.</p>
<p>Brady and company didn't just dominate on the offensive side of the ball, but had terrific performances all around, including an interception by massive lineman <span>Vince Wilfork</span>, who took the ball from the Patriots' 34 yard line to the opposite 29 yard line. All in all, it was a well-orchestrated symphony all around.</p>
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<p>"We made some good plays out there in all three phases," Brady said. "That was really a great complementary game by our team. It's a very good San Diego team. That was a tough game we played against them last year. Last year in San Diego, we didn't do anything offensively. So, to come out and play this way offensively against a very good defensive team I think was very encouraging for all of us." <a href="http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this-just-in/21140881/brady-dc-ochos-critics-have-no-clue" target="_blank"><b>(via WEEI)</b></a></p>
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<p><i>For more New England Patriots coverage, visit <a href="https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/">our team page</a> and blog, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.patspulpit.com/">Pats Pulpit</a>.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2011/9/19/2435457/patriots-vs-chargers-tom-brady-vince-wilfork-nfl-scoresGethin Coolbaugh2011-09-18T20:42:22-04:002011-09-18T20:42:22-04:00Patriots Vs. Chargers: Tom Brady Shines Again in Win Over San Diego
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<p>Week two is over for most of the teams in the NFL, and it's an early season three-way tie for first place in the AFC East. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">Patriots</a> beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">San Diego Chargers</a> 35-21 on Sunday evening in their debut at Gillette Stadium, joining the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> as the third 2-0 team in the division.</p>
<p><span>Tom Brady</span> earned a sparkling QB rating of 135.7 on the day, going 31/40 for 423 yards and three touchdowns. He turned to old friend <span>Deion Branch</span> to be his receiver-of-the-day, and Branch delivered on 8 catches for 129 yards. Once again though it was the tight ends that made the biggest impact for the Pats, as <span>Rob Gronkowski</span> had two touchdown catches, adding to an early <span>Aaron Hernandez</span>' one on the first drive of the game.</p>
<p><span>BenJarvus Green-Ellis</span> had a quietly efficient game from the backfield, contributing 70 yards on 17 carries, including a 16 yard touchdown run to cement the win.</p>
<p>On the other side of the ball, <span>Vincent Jackson</span> did everything he could to combat the Patriots; even though at times it looked like he may have been alone in that quest. Jackson had 10 catches for 172 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a spectacular catch in triple coverage for a TD in the fourth quarter to try to keep his team alive by closing New England's lead to one possession.</p>
<p>The normally explosive <span>Philip Rivers</span> also put up big numbers with 378 yards on 29 completions, but committed two costly interceptions and a fumble turnover. He often looked uncomfortable sitting in the pocket, overthrowing his targets multiple times. He also lost a precious scoring opportunity to a spectacular goal-line stand by the Patriots defense on a fourth and inches chance in the first half.</p>
<p><span>Mike Tolbert</span> also committed a turnover, and hardly anything else, helping Chargers fans forget his spectacular week one performance. His fumble, recovered by <span>Rob Ninkovich</span>, not only cost his team a chance to tie the game but helped the Patriots seal the fate of the game when they drove the ball down for a Gronkowski TD and a two-point conversion run by <span>Danny Woodhead</span>.</p>
<p>Conversely, <span>Vince Wilfork</span> had a rare highlight-reel play with his first career interception toward the end of the first half, helping the Pats set up for a 41 yard Gostkowski field goal.</p>
<p>The Patriots now prepare to take on the Buffalo Bills next Sunday at 1pm.</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2011/9/18/2434262/patriots-vs-chargers-brady-shines-again-in-win-over-san-diegoTanya Ray Fox2011-09-18T19:35:10-04:002011-09-18T19:35:10-04:00Patriots Vs. Chargers: Brady Throws For 423 Yards & 3 TD's, Pats Win 35-21
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<p>Phillip Rivers committed three of his teams four turnovers and the Chargers failed to come away with points in the red zone three times this afternoon at Gillette Stadium as the Patriots rolled over San Diego 35-21.</p>
<p>Tom Brady and the New England Patriots capitalized on those mistakes, scoring twice off turnovers and once after stopping the Chargers on the goal line. Brady, who threw for 423 yards, his second consecutive 400+ yard game to open the season, completed touchdown passes to his stud tight ends Rob Gronkowski (twice) and Aaron Hernandez.</p>
<p>In a game that saw 974 yards of offense, Deion Branch had his best game since returning to the team, making eight catches for 129 yards. For the Chargers, Vincent Jackson hauled in 10 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns.</p>
<p>The key moment in the game came early in the fourth quarter when, after failing to convert on a fourth and one from midfield, the Chargers took over possession trailing 20-14. With a chance to take the lead, they marched to the Patriots 34 yard line before running back Mike Tolbert fumbled the ball in the backfield. Rob Ninkovich fell on it for the Pats who promptly went 61 yards in four plays for the game clinching score on Brady’s second touchdown pass to Rob Gronkowski.</p>
<p>The Patriots move to 2-0 on the season and will be in Buffalo next week to take on the Bills. The Chargers drop to 1-1 and will host Kansas City in Week 3.</p>
<p>A full game recap will be out shortly.</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2011/9/18/2434110/patriots-vs-chargers-brady-throws-for-423-yards-3-tds-pats-win-35-21Dave Shook2011-09-18T19:18:09-04:002011-09-18T19:18:09-04:00Patriots Vs. Chargers: Pats Clinch Victory With TD Run By Green-Ellis
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<p>After the Chargers were threatening to make this a game, Tom Brady and the Patriots went on an impressive game clinching drive that saw Brady go over 400 yards passing for the day, and Benjarvus Green-Ellis get his second TD run of the season.</p>
<p>The drive went 80 yards in 3:46.</p>
<p>The Pats have scored on six of their nine drives in the game.</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2011/9/18/2434071/patriots-vs-chargers-pats-clinch-victory-with-td-run-by-green-ellisDave Shook2011-09-18T19:01:36-04:002011-09-18T19:01:36-04:00Patriots Vs. Chargers: Jackson Burns Pats Secondary For 2nd TD, Pats Lead 28-21
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<p>Vincent Jackson tore through the Patriots secondary to score his 2nd touchdown of the game on a drive that saw the Chargers convert on 3 third downs and pull within a score at 28-21. QB Phillip Rivers is now up to 353 yards through the air with two touchdowns. Vincent Jackson is the leading receiver in the game with 10 catches for 172 yards.</p>
<p>There is 5:40 left to play in the 4th quarter.</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2011/9/18/2434033/patriots-vs-chargers-jackson-burns-pats-secondary-for-2nd-td-patsDave Shook2011-09-18T18:49:36-04:002011-09-18T18:49:36-04:00Patriots Vs. Chargers: Pats Capitalize On Chargers 3rd Turnovers, Lead 28-14
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<p>After the Patriots were unsuccessful on fourth and one from mid-field, the Chargers gave the ball right back when Rob Nikovich recovered a Mike Tolbert fumble at the New England 35. Tom Brady wasted no time in marching the team down the field and heaving his third touchdown pass of the game, and the second to tight end Rob Gronkowski to give the Pats a 26-14 lead.</p>
<p>Danny Woodhead then converted on a two point conversion attempt to give the Pats a full two touchdown lead at 28-14.</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2011/9/18/2434008/patriots-vs-chargers-pats-capitalize-on-chargers-3rd-turnovers-leadDave Shook2011-09-18T18:37:25-04:002011-09-18T18:37:25-04:00Patriots Vs. Chargers: Rivers Brings Chargers Closer With TD Throw, Pats Lead 20-14
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<p>After a questionable pass interference penalty on Sergio Brown, the Chargers were set up inside the five yard line. The Patriots were able to contain Rivers on the 1st and 2nd down, but on 3rd down, Rivers was able to stand up under pressure and find receiver Vincent Jackson in the back of the end zone to make the score 20-14.</p>
<p>The Chargers went 64 yards in 10 plays over 5:31.</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/new-england-patriots/2011/9/18/2433990/patriots-vs-chargers-rivers-brings-chargers-closer-with-td-throw-patsDave Shook