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sports Diaranson 11 november 2020

Despite record, Patriots confidence remains at halfway point

(AP) — The Patriots knew 50 and 15 yards to Breshad
this season would look Perriman. But he redeemed
different following the himself late when his fifth in-
free agency departure of terception of the season to set
franchise stalwart Tom up the offense's game-tying
Brady to the Tampa Bay drive.
Buccaneers, coupled with
several key players choos- Injuries
ing to opt out because of Injuries have been an ongo-
COVID-19 concerns. ing issue for New England
all season and is something
But few expected this. that will follow the Patriots
New England has reached into the second half of 2020.
the halfway point just 3-5, Along with Edelman, Harry
narrowly avoiding its first and Gilmore, defensive tack-
five-game losing streak dur- le Lawrence Guy (knee) and
ing Bill Belichick's coaching Ja'Whaun Bentley (groin)
tenure. were both inactive Monday
It's not only endangered the as well.
Patriots' hopes of extending It will open opportunities for
their run of 11 straight divi- younger players, but the Pa-
sion titles, but left linger- ton said. "Not only just for the rushing attack in the first an undrafted rookie. After be- triots will need to see their
ing questions about whether the division, but also for our half of the season, offensive ing targeted just seven times health improve quickly to
their experiment with quar- confidence. We just needed coordinator Josh McDan- over the first seven games, his have a realistic shot of mak-
terback Cam Newton will one in our opinion." iels has kept Newton in the playing time has increased in ing the playoffs.
last longer than a season. As good as it might have pocket more over the past the two games since Julian
Newton missed New Eng- felt, New England still will two games. It has helped not Edelman was placed on in- Key number
land's Week 4 loss at Kansas enter the second half of its only to keep Newton fresh in jured reserve with a knee 3 — The number of times
City after testing positive for schedule ranked last in the the fourth quarter, but im- injury and N'Keal Harry has Belichick has missed the
the coronavirus and struggled AFC, averaging 20.8 points proved the offense's overall been sidelined with a con- playoffs in his 20 seasons in
during three straight losses per game. The schedule also efficiency. Look for that to cussion. Meyers had a ca- New England. The Patriots
after he returned to action, doesn't do New England any continue over the final eight reer night against the Jets on stayed at home for the post-
throwing five interceptions, favors, with matchups with games. Monday, catching a career- season after going 5-11 in his
no touchdowns and posting Baltimore (6-2), Arizona (5- high 12 passes for 169 yards. first season in 2000, 9-7 in
the third-worst quarterback 3), the Los Angeles Rams (5- What needs help "I'm just a young guy trying 2002 and 11-5 in 2008 when
rating of his career (39.7) in 3) and a second meeting with The Patriots' usually reliable to take advantage of my op- Brady was injured in the sea-
the Patriots' 33-6 home loss AFC East-leading Buffalo (7- secondary had a rough night portunities," he said. "The son opener.
to 49ers on Oct. 25. 2) remaining. against the Jets, giving up more they give me, the more
He rebounded Monday night Belichick thinks there's still three TD passes to Joe Flac- I'm going to try to do. Hope- Next steps
in New England's 30-27 time for his team to turn co. It marked the fifth time fully I can keep building and The Patriots have a short
comeback win over the Jets things around. this season New England has every week gets better than week to prepare for another

with his most efficient game "We just got to keep working. given up 200 or more passing the week before." tough challenge when they
of the season, completing 27 Take it one week at a time," yards in a game. In 2019, the host 6-2 Baltimore. The Ra-
of 35 passes for 274 yards and he said. "I don't think the Patriots allowed 200 or more Stock down vens rank fourth in the AFC,
running for a pair of touch- team lacks confidence. We passing yards only six times Cornerback J.C. Jackson averaging 28.4 points per
downs. just got to coach better. Play all season. made his third start of the game.
"I'm not going to lie, it felt better. Just keep working and season with Stephon Gilm- "We've got a strong (team)
good. But yet at the end of keep grinding, and we'll have Stock up ore missing his second coming up here this week-
the day, we're in a position better results." Receiver Jakobi Meyers is straight game with a knee in- end. We've just got to get
where this was a division validating what the coaching jury. Jackson was the primary healthy and pair it with a great
game, a much-needed win What's working staff saw in him last season defender for two of Flacco's week of practice and we'll be
for multiple reasons," New- After using Newton a lot in when he made the roster as TDs, beaten on passes of all right," Newton said.

Celtics Hall of Famer Tommy Heinsohn dies at age 86

BOSTON (AP) — Tommy bered forever." Auerbach tabbed him to be
Heinsohn, who as a Boston A Holy Cross product who the coach in 1969, succeed-
Celtics player, coach and was a territorial draft pick by ing Russell.
broadcaster over more the Celtics in 1956, Heinsohn Heinsohn was the NBA
than 60 years was with the beat out teammate Russell for coach of the year in 1973,
team for all 17 of its NBA the NBA's rookie of the year when the team won a then-
championships, has died. award that season and tallied record 68 games. The Celt-
He was 86. 39 points with 23 rebounds ics added championships in
in Game 7 of the NBA finals 1974 and '76. He was induct-
"This is a devastating loss," against the St. Louis Hawks. ed into the Naismith Memo-
the team's owners said in a It was the franchise's first ti- rial Basketball Hall of Fame
statement Tuesday. "Tommy tle — and the first of eight in as a player in 1986 and as a
was the ultimate Celtic. For nine years for Heinsohn and coach in 2015.
the past 18 years, our owner- Russell. Heinsohn was the Shortly after retiring as a
ship group has relied hugely team's leading scorer in four coach in 1979, he rejoined
on Tommy's advice and in- of the championship seasons. the team's broadcasts, where
sights and have reveled in Heinsohn retired in 1965 his unapologetic homerism Heinsohn," the team said the only person to be an ac-
his hundreds of stories about with totals of 12,194 points has endeared him to Celtics in a statement. "There isn't tive participant in each of the
Red Auerbach, Bill Russell, and 5,749 rebounds and re- fans ever since. a generation of Celtics fans Celtics' 17 world champion-
and how the Celtics became mained with the team as a "It's hard to imagine the Bos- for whom Tommy's pres- ships, an extraordinary and
a dynasty. He will be remem- broadcaster. Celtics patriarch ton Celtics without Tommy ence hasn't been felt. He is singular legacy."