"The New England Patriots (and their fans) needed that one. The last time the Patriots had won a home game by three-plus scores was Week 5 of the 2022 regular season - when QB Bailey Zappe won the first start of his NFL career in a 29-0 rout of the Detroit Lions. New England put an emphatic end to that drought on Sunday, putting together the finest three-phase performance of the Mike Vrabel era in a 42-13 laugher over the Carolina Panthers."
"The Patriots opened this game as if they were playing, well, the Carolina Panthers. Thankfully, Marcus Jones sparked his teammates - and the entire stadium - to life late in the first quarter with his electric, 87-yard punt return for a touchdown. Jones nearly took a second to the house later in the first half. He finished the game with three total punt returns for 167 yards, an average of 55.7 a pop."
New England Patriots dominated the Carolina Panthers 42-13, delivering the best three-phase performance of the Mike Vrabel era. The win ended a home blowout drought that dated to Week 5 of 2022 when Bailey Zappe won his first start. Offense, defense, and special teams all contributed; the team committed zero turnovers after giving the ball away five times last week. Drake Maye flirted with a perfect passer rating while the defense essentially pitched a shutout after a disappointing opening series. Marcus Jones returned a punt 87 yards for a touchdown and finished with 167 punt return yards. Rookie kicker Andy Borregales made six extra points and punter Bryce Baringer averaged over 51 yards per punt. The Patriots head into a road trip to Buffalo with momentum.
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