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Time to Hand Out Our Six Game Balls for the Patriots First Victory
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- Time to Hand Out Our Six Game Balls for the Patriots First Victory
With Sunday's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and some Monday afternoon film study, it's time to hand out a few "game balls" to the New England Patriots .
We'll do this after wins only, and yes, expect us to be liberal with the trophies.
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'Pop' with 'The Block'
On a day where the offense sputtered mightily – for the second straight week – finding heroes on that side of the ball will be difficult but not impossible.
DeMario Douglas ' clear-out block on the safety Rayshawn Jenkins and the subsequent chain reaction to take out Jaquan Brisker is an early "block of the year" candidate.
High school coaches from coast to coast are showing that video to their receivers over and over again.
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Game. Ball.
Living on the edge
Harold Landry remains on the physically unable to perform list, and Dre'Mont Jones left early in the first half.
Somehow, Gabe Jacas , Elijah Ponder and Quintayvious Hutchins found a way to get the job done on the edge.
Ponder had his scoop-and-score TD, and Jacas was gifted interception No. 1 of his career. We all know how coach Mike Vrabel feels about turnovers.
September 20, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Troy Fautanu (76) defends quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) from New England Patriots linebacker Elijah Ponder (91 )during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Coach Vrabel said it best.
"You look over there, and they've got TJ Watt and (Alex) Highsmith and (Nick) Herbig, and we've got Ponder and Jacas and Q. I'm proud of our guys," he said.
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Game ball. Game ball. Game ball.
The inside stuff
Fear about the New England inside linebackers had been slowly creeping into the conversation.
Neither Robert Spillane nor Christian Ellis was good against Seattle .
The two were dynamite against the Steelers.
Give their coordinator a little credit. Zak Kuhr turned the two loose in the blitz.
Each splattered ancient Aaron Rodgers in a combined 10-tackle day.
Great bounce back for the final two game balls.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
