New England Patriots

New England Patriots Week 2: LeGarrette Blount earns Player of the Week

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Despite a jumping out to a big 24-0 lead in the first half, the matchup between the New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins ended in a close one 31-24 thanks to LeGarrett Blount’s performance.

The Patriot of the week is lead back LeGarrette Blount. I did consider defensive end Chris Long as he had a spectacular game but Blount was the featured piece of the offense in the second half.

After Jimmy Garoppolo’s shoulder injury, the game plan dramatically shifted. New England entered the game with intentions of passing the ball early and often. They did just that. Garoppolo had 234 yards and three scoring tosses before leaving the game in the second quarter. After his departure, the game plan shifted to Jacoby Brissett handing the ball off to Blount. Blount had 29 touches for 123 yards and a touchdown.

Blount was featured on a final drive that consumed most of the remaining clock. Blount carried the offense and put New England into a situation where they could have put the game away but Stephen Gostkowski missed a 39-yard field goal that would have put the Patriots up by ten.

Blount was more effective out the outside run game than most guys his size. He even hurdled Byron Maxwell during his longest run of the afternoon. He was a patient runner behind decent blocking by the Patriot offensive line and was able to fall forward at the end of his runs to add a few more yards to each carry.

The Dolphins defensive front was zoned in on Blount in the second half but that didn’t stop his ability to gain yards on the ground. Assuming Garoppolo’s injury is as serious as it looks, Blount will be very important in the Patriot offense as they take on the Houston Texans Thursday night.