The New England Patriots’ offense has been on a roll for the most of the first half of 2016 season. While the unit was at times very good and at times struggling with backup quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett at the helm, it has been lights out since Tom Brady returned from suspension after week 4.
One thing all three quarterback had in common was their aversion to turning the ball over via the pass – at least until now.
After New England’s passers attempted 258 passes to start the season, the streak ended today against the Seattle Seahawks. Brady fired a deep pass intended for rookie Malcolm Mitchell but it was picked off by cornerback DeShawn Shead. It was, naturally, Brady’s first interception of the season.
The turnover also eliminates the Patriots’ chance to set a new NFL record for starting the season without interceptions; the Cleveland Browns started their 1960 season going nine games without throwing a pick.
However, the team was able to set another NFL record. They surpassed the 2008 Washington Redskins, who started their year with 251 non-intercepted pass attempts. So, congratulations to Tom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett.
On to the next streak.