New England Patriots: Winners and losers from Week 4

We break down three winners and three losers from Week 4 for the New England Patriots.

The New England Patriots dropped their second home game of the year Sunday, falling 33-30 to the Carolina Panthers.

New England’s defense gave up 444 total yards to Cam Newton and company, along with 28 first downs. In addition, Newton tallied three passing touchdowns and one rushing score.

The Patriots’ offense started off shaky, but, as you’d expect, Tom Brady mounted a fourth-quarter comeback to tie the bout 30-30.

Carolina got the ball back with enough time to drive down the field, and a Graham Gano 48-yard field goal sealed the Panthers win.

We’ve highlighted three winners and three losers from New England’s uncharacteristic Week 4 loss.

Winners

WR Danny Amendola

Danny Amendola notched six catches for 42 yards and one touchdown in Sunday’s loss. Those aren’t huge numbers, but they were major contributions to New England’s game-tying drive. Amendola hauled in a five-yard grab on 3rd & 3 to extend the drive, followed by a 10-yard catch on the six-yard line, and a clutch tying touchdown on 4th & 1. It’s performances like these that keep Amendola in Foxborough year after year.

RB Mike Gillislee

Like Amendola, Mike Gillislee’s modest stat line of 12 carries for 49 yards isn’t much to talk about. That being said, he had six carries for more than five yards and three first downs. Gillislee’s best play of the day came when he broke a tackle at the line of scrimmage and chugged forward 13 yards for the first down.

LB Kyle Van Noy

Aside from Trey Flowers, Kyle Van Noy has been one of the Patriots’ best defenders, so far, this year. He collected six solo tackles and two assisted versus Carolina plus a sack in the second quarter. Additionally, NESN’s Doug Kyed reports, Van Noy was targeted three times, allowing one catch for nine yards.