Game 59. New England at Detroit
Reply
Tag Archives: New England Patriots
1997 Game 185 (Week 14) New England at Indianapolis
Bledsoe rips the Colts
The New England Patriots are the defending AFC Champions, and they are beginning to look like they will contend for it again as they came back to defeat the Indianapolis Colts, 28-24, Sunday afternoon at Foxboro behind a big performance from Drew Bledsoe.
Trailing 24-21 midway through the 4th quarter, Drew Bledsoe showed why he is a contender for the league’s MVP. He zipped a 15-yard pass to TE Ben Coates and then connected with WR Shawn Jefferson for another 17 yards. Another completion to Jefferson and the Patriots were at the Colt 27-yard line. With the Colts in man-to-man coverage, Bledsoe found a matchup he liked. RB Dave Meggett was matched up with a linebacker and Bledsoe took advantage of it. Meggett went on a wheel-route and Bledsoe hit him in stride for a 27-yard touchdown! The Patriots took a 28-24 lead.
The Patriot defense stepped up on the Colts next possession and forced a punt. They never saw the ball again. With 4:10 on the clock, Bledsoe and the Patriots ran an awesome 4-minute offense and kept the ball away from the Colts. RB Curtis Martin kept the chains moving and the Patriots ran out the clock to secure the victory.
Martin rushed for 103 yards on 24 carries on the day. Bledsoe threw for 306 yards on 20 of 32 passing with four touchdowns.
The Colts got a big passing day from QB Jim Harbaugh. He passed for 341 yards on 23 of 37 passing with two touchdowns and an Interception.
The Patriots have control over the AFC East with a 10-3 record with three games remaining. Next week, they travel to Jacksonville, while the Colts (4-9) travel to New York to play the Jets.
Game 46. Oakland at New England
Game 46. Oakland at New England
Game 31. New England at Pittsburgh
Game 17. Miami at New England
1997 Game 170 (Week 13) Miami at New England
Patriots cement AFC East lead with win over Dolphins
The New England Patriots are in prime position to make another run at the Super Bowl. On Sunday, they scored two touchdowns in the 4th quarter to separate themselves from the Miami Dolphins to win 27-12 in the AFC East showdown at Foxboro. With the win, the Patriots are now 9-3 and have a two-game lead in the AFC East with only 4 games remaining.
The Patriots went into the 4th quarter with a scant one-point lead, 13-12; however, QB Drew Bledose gave the Patriots some space as he hit Keith Byars on a screen pass and the FB raced to the end zone for a touchdown giving the Patriots a 20-12 lead.
The Patriots put the game away when Ty Law intercepted Dan Marino late in the quarter and the cornerback returned the INT 34 yards to the Dolphins’ 6-yard line. It was just Marino’s second INT of the season. On the next play, RB Curtis Martin scampered through the Dolphins’ defense for a touchdown to give the Patriots a 27-12 lead ending the game.
Bledsoe had another superb day. He threw for 257 yards on 16 of 34 passing with 2 TDs. His first touchdown was a 62-yard bomb to WR Troy Brown. Curtis Martin rushed for 109 yards on 23 carries with a TD.
As for the Dolphins, head coach Jimmy Johnson wants his team to be built around a running game. It didn’t deliver once again on their dismal 5-7 season. The Dolphins rushed 22 times for just 83 yards. Marino led the Dolphins in scoring position on numerous occasions, but they settled for four Orlindo Mare field goals.
Next Sunday, the Patriots (9-3) will host the Indianapolis Colts at Foxboro, while the Dolphins (5-7) travel to Oakland to take on the Raiders.
