Winning ugly sure beats losing. We predicted it wasn’t going to be a high-scoring affair, given the two defenses involved. My prediction was 17-13 Patriots. Then factor in the wind and rain, and the game was going to be adversely affected even more by the offenses. Players were losing their footing; passes were dropped and kicks bobbled.
Even with a lack of style points, the Patriots needed a win in the worst way and guaranteed it will be a happy flight back to Providence. The team started 0-2 for the first time since 2001 and couldn’t afford to begin the season 0-3.