Fansided

5 reasons Jimmy Garoppolo’s Week 1 performance wasn’t a fluke

By Greg Patuto

Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) celebrates after beating the Arizona Cardinals 23-21 at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) celebrates after beating the Arizona Cardinals 23-21 at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jimmy Garoppolo went into Arizona and won his first NFL start. Here are five reasons why his performance Sunday Night was not a fluke.

The New England Patriots took a major blow in the offseason when they learned that Tom Brady would be suspended for the first four games of the season. They were forced to hand the ball over to Jimmy Garoppolo who went on the road against an Arizona Cardinals team that is expected to contend for a Super Bowl.

Garoppolo and Patriots shocked the football world by defeating the Cardinals 23-21. Garoppolo completed 24-of-33 passes for 264 yards and a touchdown. With one game down, Brady could return to a 4-0 team that hasn’t missed a beat.

While it is only one game and he has three more to go, he looked great on Sunday night and people have a right to over react. Here are the five reasons why his performance wasn’t a fluke.

Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) runs the ball in the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) runs the ball in the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

5. He showed maturity and looked comfortable

If you watched the game on Sunday night, it was hard to tell if you were watching a guy starting his first game or a seasoned vet. The main reason is he did not force throws or turn the ball over in critical spots. He did lose a fumble but he didn’t throw an interception. When a play needed to be made, he made one.

Every time the Cardinals scored, the Patriots made plays and took control. They took a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. The Cardinals scored to make it 10-7 then the Patriots responded back to go back up by 10.

In the fourth quarter, Larry Fitzgerald caught a touchdown pass to give the Cardinals their first lead at 21-20. Garoppolo was handed the ball with nine minutes left in the game down one. All he did was orchestrate a 13 play, 62-yard drive over six minutes to get them in Stephen Gostkowski field goal range. And that kick proved to be the winner.

Over the course of the game, he showed poise and maturity beyond his years and experience. The Patriots know that they have a player and that is why they drafted him to back up Tom Brady if he had to miss time for any reason.

Because of his poise, maturity and how comfortable he looked, Garoppolo’s performance didn’t seem to be a fluke but we will judge more over the next three games.

Next: 4. Defeated Arizona

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