New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was really good Sunday, even though it wasn't necessary.
The Patriots returned two interceptions for touchdowns, returned a punt for a score and kicked a field goal. That, plus three extra points, accounted for 24 of New England's points in a 59-24 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
In fact Brady was inactive for more than 30 real-time minutes in the first half because of special teams and defensive scores keeping the offense off the field.
"The punt return for a touchdown, the interception return for a touchdown, those were awesome, so when you get those types of plays, those are game-changing plays," Brady said after the game, via Patriots.com. "I don’t remember too many times when we’ve lost games when we’ve gotten returns for touchdowns."
Julian Edelman returned the punt for a score in the second quarter to knot it at 14-14. Newly-aquired cornerback Aqib Talib and rookie Alfonzo Dennard each had pick-sixes in the second half. Edelman also caught a touchdown pass, and tight end Rob Gronkowski caught two scoring passes from Brady, who completed 24 of 35 passes for 331 yards.
“[I] had some opportunities to make some plays and was fortunate that it went my way today," Edelman told the media. "We executed a few plays in special teams. [The] defense played well. We played overall a complementary football game.
“[I] had some opportunities to make some plays and was fortunate that it went my way today," Edelman told the media. "We executed a few plays in special teams. [The] defense played well. We played overall a complementary football game.
"It was a good team win and we have a short week now and we have got to move on for the Jets.”
The Patriots travel to the Meadowlands to take on the division rival New York Jets Thursday.
Follow Nick @NickStDenis
Follow AFC East Daily @AFCEastDaily
Follow Nick @NickStDenis
Follow AFC East Daily @AFCEastDaily
