Pats get back to bully ball
FOXBORO — The Patriots came flying out of the gates, and offensively, made the kind of statement drive that was supposed to be their calling card this season.
They basically ran over the Cowboys in the early going with a heavy dose of bully ball behind running back Damien Harris.
They came out with heavy personnel sets featuring two tight ends, and a fullback to start the game, and it was effective. They mixed those sets in throughout during the 35-29 overtime loss.
And after a rough couple of weeks, with Harris losing the ball twice in the red zone to fumbles, his miscue against the Texans being the latest, this was a step in the right direction for the third-year back.
Harris kicked off the first series with a 21-yard run up the gut, then finished it off, taking a direct snap four yards into the end zone to put the Patriots out front.
“We got the run game going,” said center David Andrews, “and played how we want to play.”
That meant bullying the Cowboys off the line of scrimmage, with Harris bulldozing through on the way to a 100yard rushing game, his second of the season, and fifth of his career.
At the outset, Harris was questionable to even play given the rib injury he suffered last week against the Texans. But he not only played, but made an impact.
“I’m fine, physically,” said Harris. “Obviously, we didn’t win the game. That’s what’s most important, so I’m a little down about that, but the good thing is, I know we gotta good team, we’ve got great players, we’ve got great coaches . . . if we just keep coming in every single day, and keep working hard, we’ll be able to turn this thing around.”
Officially, Harris finished with 18 rushes for 101 yards, and a touchdown. Rookie Rhamondre Stevenson chipped in with 23 yards on five carries and a touchdown. He also caught three passes for 39 yards.
While the Patriots didn’t win, the message was still sent. They still plan on leading with the run, especially against explosive offenses like the one the Cowboys possess with Dak Prescott & Co.
Mac Jones only put the ball up 21 times for the Patriots. They rushed 27 times, trying to play keep away from Prescott. Ultimately, it was the Cowboys who kept the ball away from the Patriots.
Harris did get a couple carries during the one overtime possession for the Patriots, advancing the ball seven yards. The Pats just couldn’t convert for a first down, before punting, and leaving the Cowboys with a chance to win the game.
“It was an emotional roller coaster and that is just the way it goes sometimes,” said Harris of the loss.
“Ultimately, they ended up making a couple more plays than we did which is a tough feeling, but like I said, I have a lot of confidence in our team and the people in this organization. We are going to let this be behind us . . . we are going to focus on moving forward for the rest of the season.”