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Patriots at Saints: Highlights, score and recap

By John Buhler

NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 17: Tom Brady No. 12 of the New England Patriots reacts during the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 17, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 17: Tom Brady No. 12 of the New England Patriots reacts during the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 17, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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The New England Patriots defeated the New Orleans Saints in Week 2, 36-20. Here are all the highlights, the game recap and the final score.

Who knew that 40 could look this good? Tom Brady, that’s who. His New England Patriots had 10 days to get ready for the drubbing their were going to put on the New Orleans Saints defense. For the first time in his NFL career, Brady would throw for three touchdown passes in the first quarter.

New England would go on to beat the Saints 36-20 to get back to .500 after Week 2. The Saints are now 0-2 and still have one of the worst defenses in football. Things are going south very quickly for Sean Payton’s team. His defense could not have been carved up more by Brady in the passing game.

It wasn’t the dink and dunk stuff that wrecked the Saints. Brady threw it deep on multiple occasions, knowing very well that the Saints’ secondary wasn’t going to be able to contain Rob Gronkowski in coverage.

Brady connected with his favorite target six times for 116 yards and a touchdown. He also had a good afternoon slinging the ball around to targets like James White, Chris Hogan and newcomer Phillip Dorsett. On the ground, head coach Bill Belichick would lean on his new bell-cow back in Mike Gillislee. This was also a solid game for yet another offensive newcomer in Rex Burkhead.

Overall, this type of road victory should not come to anyone’s surprise. Belichick is the best coach in football. The bigger question is what has happened to Payton. It’s not getting anybody in the Big Easy for the former Super Bowl winning coach. This might be his last season leading the Saints.

Three Stars

  1. Tom Brady: Brady completed 30 of 39 passes for 447 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He would also run for nine yards on two carries.
  2. Rob Gronkowski: Gronkowski had six catches for 116 yards and a touchdown.
  3. Mike Gillislee: Gillislee had 18 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown.

Highlights

Next Game

The Patriots will host their AFC rival in the Houston Texans in Week 3. Kickoff from Gillette Stadium will be at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday. CBS will have the early after telecast on September 24.

Next: Top 25 Super Bowl performances of all-time

The Saints will travel to Charlotte to take on their NFC South rival in the Carolina Panthers in Week 3. Kickoff from Bank of America Stadium on Sunday will be at 1:00 p.m. ET. FOX will have the telecast on September 24.

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