Gilmore stellar in debut
Allows no catches during first taste of postseason
FOXBORO — Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore might remember his playoff debut as much as the receivers who struggled to shake him.
Gilmore didn’t allow a catch last night during the Pats’ 35-14 beat-down of the Titans.
“It was good,” Gilmore said. “We wanted to go out there and get a win. We did that. We wanted to dominate. I think we did that the majority of the game.”
Gilmore had a clutch thirddown breakup on the sideline against Corey Davis in the second quarter when the game was tied 7-7, allowing the offense to get the ball back and continue the scoring run that iced the game.
“It was key,” Gilmore said. “I just trusted my technique, played to my leverage, where my help was at, and was able to make a play early in the game.”
After missing the playoffs during his first five seasons with the Bills, Gilmore has exalted praise upon his new organization for its penchant for putting players in positions to make plays.
Last night, he probably played his best game in a Pats uniform, and he enjoyed his first crack at playoff football for good reason.
“It’s amped up a little bit more,” Gilmore said. “It was fun. We were flying around having fun, making plays, and when you win, it’s always fun.”
Concern at tackle
The early word isn’t promising on right tackle LaAdrian Waddle, who injured his knee in the third quarter and didn’t return.
Waddle likely will miss some time, potentially even the rest of the playoffs, according to a source. Cameron Fleming, who started six games this season, took Waddle’s spot for the remainder of the contest.
Remember, the Patriots lost starting right tackle Marcus Cannon to a severe high-ankle sprain in Week 8, so they’re already thin at that spot. Cole Croston, who has been a healthy scratch 14 times this season, would be the next backup in line.
“Cam Fleming stepped in there after not starting tonight and did a great job,” Tom Brady said. “It was a great team win.”
Bolden gets touches
Running back Brandon Bolden hasn’t had many chances to play meaningful snaps on offense during the past two seasons, but he contributed last night with a third-and-1 conversion and a 2-yard touchdown run that made it 28-7 in the third quarter.
Bolden had four carries for 27 yards, which was 8 more yards than his career output in the playoffs. He also scored a rushing touchdown for the first time since 2014, and he had 1 fewer yard than the Titans’ Derrick Henry.
“I love Brandon,” Brady said. “He is a great teammate, friend, a great person, someone I’ve been in a lot of meetings with, a lot of walk-throughs and games with. You have those relationships with those guys, and you see them do well when their number is called, it’s pretty cool. I’m really happy for him. He deserves it. He’s a really special guy. It’s great to see him get in the end zone tonight.”
Not interested
Linebacker James Harrison won’t watch his former team today.
So how will he find out how the Steelers fare against the Jaguars? He’ll wait for someone to give him the game plan for the AFC Championship Game tomorrow when he gets to Gillette Stadium.
As for that trip to the title tilt, just a few weeks after the Steelers cut him loose?
“Good,” Harrison replied . . . . Defensive tackle Alan Branch might have seen it coming.
Branch told the Herald on Wednesday he was healthy enough to play, but he added an interesting qualifier about it being the coaches’ call to put him in the lineup. And when that call came last night, Branch was scratched.
Branch officially was questionable with a knee injury, but it’s worth wondering if he simply tumbled too far down the depth chart. He was benched in Week 5 against the Buccaneers, and last night marked the fourth consecutive week he was placed on the inactive list.