In a matchup billed as a potential AFC Championship game preview, the New England Patriots showed that they are still the team to beat in the AFC as they handled the San Diego Chargers 35-21.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady followed his once-in-a-generation 517-yard, 4 TD performance last week with an equally impressive performance, throwing for 423 yards and 3 TDs with no INTs on 31 of 40 passing.
After the game, Brady and wide receiver Deion Branch decided to do their press conference together, and completed each other’s sentences like a married couple.
“Deion and I are going together today,” Brady opened as the two took the podium, before Branch finished the statement saying, “something new.”
Branch finished the game with 8 receptions for 129 yards. Brady spread the ball around effectively, as usual, with Wes Welker finishing the game with 7 receptions for 81 yards, and the Patriots two tight ends, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, finished the game with 86 yards and 2 TDs and 62 yards and 1 TD.
You could feel the excitement and enthusiasm after the game between Branch and Brady. “Brady was throwing it to me, his eyes – you have to see this guy’s eyes,” Branch said. “Once he’s in the pocket, his eyes are so big when he’s getting ready to throw the ball. I guess he’s so excited when guys are open.”
“Yeah, always,” Brady added, pointing to Branch and saying, “And he’s always open.”
“I think my eyes light up, too, like his,” Branch responded.
When asked how they developed such a close bond, Branch replied, “Maybe because we sit beside each other in the locker room, you know what I’m saying?”
“That’s the key. I thank the equipment guys for putting me right next to him.”
Philip Rivers was solid in the loss, throwing for 378 yards and 2 TDs, although he also threw 2 INTs.
The Patriots improved to 2-0 while the Chargers dropped to 1-1.
