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It seemed like old times for these Patriots and their fans

By Tom King - Staff Writer | Dec 7, 2020

Let the good times roll.

Oh, this was a stunner. Not so much because the New England Patriots won on Sunday, but how they won.

Convincingly.

Now perhaps nearly three months ago you wouldn’t have been surprised. Our image of the Patriots as a playoff contender was still there, as they were 2-1, and that one loss new fan favorite Cam Newton was just a couple of yards away from turning it into a win in Seattle.

But then it all evaporated, and the Patriots were a losing team. Even when they beat Arizona a week ago yesterday we felt they were, well, lucky.

Until Sunday’s 45-0 blowout of the Los Angeles-Should-Still-Be-In-San Diego Chargers.

It was like old times. Bill Belichick was just so much smarter than short-timer Chargers coach Anthony Lynn it wasn’t funny. New England’s special teams produced two TDs. The Patriots’ defense was exceptional. They dominated the line of scrimmage. New England rushed for 165 yards. Gunner Olszewski had another long punt return for a touchdown, the difference being this one wasn’t called back. Even backup QB Jarrett Stidham got to play, and if we had told you that before the game, you would have figured it was the beginning of the end for Newton. Nope, he got garbage time because the Patriots had the game well in hand – and he even threw a TD pass. And Newton tossed one as well, to first round bust N’Keal Harry, no less. Yikes.

Yeah, Newton for the second straight week failed to throw for over 100 yards– just 69. But he rushed 14 times for 48 yards for two scores. All is forgiven.

What’s going on? The Patriots were their former better prepared, opportunistic, confident selves. Not bad for 6-6.

“I think the main thing is eliminating mistakes,” Patriots safety Adrian Phillips, a former Charger, said. “Knowing that the game rides on us. If we go out there and play timid, and not to mess up, we won’t get the results we want.

“If we go out there like ‘We’re about to dominate these guys, it doesn’t matter what they do, they have to stop us’ then we’re going to dominate. …

“We dropped the ball a little bit against Houston, and we said we’re just going to go back to our bread and butter. We’re going to come after you.”

When Houston derailed this team two weeks ago, it looked like teams were instead coming after the Patriots. Special teams scores – like Olszewski’s 78 yard punt return and Devin McCourty’s 44-yard scoop and score of a blocked field goal attempt – just drain opponents.

“Today is a perfect example of who we felt like we were all year,” special teamer Matt Slater said, speaking of his unit but he may as well have been speaking about the entire team. “We’ve got great players here and we’re finally putting it together. …

“I’m more pleased with the buy-in, the belief of our guys, the effort, the preparation. Eventually it’s going to show up in the game.”

Now the Patriots have to show up back at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Cal.in four days with a Thursday night game vs. the team L.A.really cares about, the Rams.

But they’ll enjoy this one for a bit, and you will too.

“You get more confidence in yourself and play with more swag,” Phillips said. “It’s been clicking the last few weeks, we’ve just got to keep this thing going.”

Ah, just like old times.

For now.

Tom King may be reached at @Telegraph_TomK on twitter, or tking@nashuatelegraph.com

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