New England Patriots: Winners and Losers from Week 2

We break down three winners and three losers from Week 2 for the New England Patriots

In typical New England Patriots fashion, the team resurged from their Week 1 defeat and posted 555 total yards in a 36-20 win over the New Orleans Saints.

While there are still adjustments needed to be made, the Patriots returned to their winning ways with a convincing victory.

These are three winners and three losers from New England’s Week 2 win.

Winners from Week 2

QB Tom Brady

Tom Brady chucked three first-quarter touchdown passes, one to Rex Burkhead for 19 yards, another to Rob Gronkowski for 53, and a third to Chris Hogan for 13. In addition, the 18-year vet finished 30-of-39 for 447 yards, including 10 passes for more than 20 yards, and no interceptions. The win marked one of Brady’s best in years and silenced any doubters of New England’s Super Bowl aspirations.

DE Deatrich Wise

Rookie defensive end Deatrich Wise had an impressive afternoon, posting two tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, and one sack. He played 28 snaps, 11 more than Week 1, and continued to flash his intriguing upside. Wise’s promising start to the season could warrant him a bigger role in the Patriots defense going forward.

TE Rob Gronkowski

Rob Gronkowski looked like the defensive back crushing tight end Pats fans are used to seeing, collecting six grabs for 116 yards and a 53-yard touchdown. Gronk spent the latter half of the contest sidelined with a groin injury but the ailment “is not believed to be serious”, per NFL Media Insider Ian Rappoport.

Losers from Week 2

OT Nate Solder

Offensive tackle Nate Solder struggled in pass protection versus the Saints defensive line. The seventh-year veteran allowed three hurries, two quarterback hits, and one sack, per NESN’s Doug Kyed. Solder should look to bounce back quickly, as he’ll be tasked with facing J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney in Week 3.

CB Stephon Gilmore

New England signed Stephon Gilmore to a hefty contract in free agency but his performance on Sunday didn’t match it. The 2016 Pro Bowl cornerback allowed three catches on four targets for 82 yards, per Doug Kyed. His game should improve as he becomes more acclimated with the defense but so far Gilmore’s had a shaky start to the season.

Related Story: 3 takeaways from New England's Week 2 win

SS Patrick Chung

While he wasn’t atrocious, strong safety Patrick Chung is far better than his showing on Sunday suggests. According to Doug Kyed, Drew Brees targeted him 13 times, completing six passes for 80 yards and one touchdown. While Chung allowed less than half of his targets and broke up one of them, the Saints felt too comfortable throwing in his direction.