“I think the Patriots should be pretty encouraged for taking it down to the wire there in Seattle,” Guregian said on After Hours with Amy Lawrence. “I think people found out Cam Newton is not going to be a one-trick pony with the Patriots offense. He can throw the football.”
In Week 1, the Patriots ran 42 times for 217 yards and three touchdowns, as Cam Newton attempted just 19 passes in a 21-11 win over the Dolphins. Week 2, however, was a different story, as Newton finished 30-of-44 for 397 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also ran 11 times for 47 yards and two scores.
Julian Edelman had eight catches for 179 yards against Seattle, while N’Keal Harry had eight catches for 72 yards.
“It’s not a surprise that he would hit Julian Edelman because that was Tom Brady’s favorite guy,” Guregian said. “But we saw N’Keal Harry step up for the first time and look like perhaps a first-round draft pick. He made some tough catches, and he had some big catches in that last drive to set them up on the near-score.”
Guregian was also impressed with Damiere Byrd, who had six catches for 72 yards.
“We’ve been writing for weeks are these receivers good enough? Can they actually move the sticks with these guys?” Guregian said. “Cam showed it tonight. I think it’s important to note that they didn’t have one of their best pass-catchers coming out of the backfield. James White learned sadly and tragically his father was killed in a car accident in Florida, and his mother is in serious condition. The Patriots came out with heavy hearts and concern for their teammate, so it was a tough game but they fought and they fought.”
The Patriots had a chance to win the game on the final play, but Newton was stuffed near the goal line. Still, the Patriots proved they can be effective both on the ground and through the air.
"There’s no moral victories, and it’s weird to use that expression with the Patriots,” Guregian said. “But again, in a post-Tom Brady era, I think people were expecting the Patriots just to have a rebuilding year, but this looks far from rebuilding.”
The Patriots (1-1) host the Raiders (1-0) this Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.